Dear Adam,

 

I refer to your request of 6 August 2021. Unfortunately, consultations
necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper
response cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.
Accordingly, the University has extended the time limit for your request
until 24 September 2021 under section 15A of the Official Information Act.
This is the maximum time limit for the University’s response; we will
respond as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

You have the right to make a complaint to an Ombudsman if you are
dissatisfied with this extension.

 

Yours sincerely,

Landon Watt

Legal Advisor

Office of the Vice-Chancellor

 

From: Adam Clifford <[1][FOI #16329 email]>
Sent: Friday, 6 August 2021 6:54 PM
To: legal <[2][email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Online Examinations

 

Dear University of Auckland,

Please supply the following information under the Official Information Act
1982:

- Regarding the selection of the Inspera platform for computer-based
exams, what other options were considered, and details of the assessments
with regards to features, capabilities and costs that were done with
Inspera and the other platforms (if any) that resulted in Inspera being
selected as the University’s computer-based exams platform.

- What is the annual licensing cost for using the Inspera platform?

- Relating to the University’s decision, confirmed on February 24, 2021,
that [only] “Courses with professional accreditation or registration
requirements specifying invigilated examinations; courses that are a
requirement for selection into limited entry programmes; and courses with
performance or practical examinations may apply for an exception to
conduct Semester 1, Quarter 1, or Quarter 2 final examinations on campus.”
Please provide all documentation relating to the rationale in not
permitting other in-person examinations in 2021 under COVID-19 Alert Level
1. In particular, please provide the rationale for not permitting
in-person examinations in subjects where academic misconduct can easily
occur in non-invigilated environments, e.g., mathematics and engineering.

- Regarding the University’s decision to hold examinations starting from
5:30pm, with some running until as late 9pm, what considerations were made
towards the impact on student mental health?

I understand that a decision on a request for information under the
Official Information Act 1982 should be made within 20 working days of
receiving that request.

Yours faithfully,

Adam Clifford

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FOI #16329 email]

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requests to University of Auckland? If so, please contact us using this
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[5]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

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References

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2. mailto:[email address]
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Dear Mr Clifford,

 

I refer to your email of 6 August 2021. The University’s response follows.

“- What is the annual licensing cost for using the Inspera platform?”

 

The annual licencing cost for the University’s use of the Inspera platform
is withheld under section 9(2)(j) of the Official Information Act, to
enable the University to carry out negotiations without prejudice or
disadvantage, and to protect information subject to an obligation of
confidence under section 9(2)(ba)(ii) of the Act.

 

“- Relating to the University’s decision, confirmed on February 24, 2021,
that [only] “Courses with professional accreditation or registration
requirements specifying invigilated examinations; courses that are a
requirement for selection into limited entry programmes; and courses with
performance or practical examinations may apply for an exception to
conduct Semester 1, Quarter 1, or Quarter 2 final examinations on campus.”
Please provide all documentation relating to the rationale in not
permitting other in-person examinations in 2021 under COVID-19 Alert Level
1. In particular, please provide the rationale for not permitting
in-person examinations in subjects where academic misconduct can easily
occur in non-invigilated environments, e.g., mathematics and engineering.”

The Official Information Act 1982 does not require agencies to generate
explanations or justifications on a matter of interest to a requester. The
decision around the use of online examinations for Semester One 2021 was
made by the Academic Leadership Team, following a memo from the then
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor John Morrow and endorsed by the
University’s Education Committee.

The requested information held by the University relating to the decision
to hold examinations online in S1, Q1 and Q2 examinations is attached
(provided in the form of excerpts). Some material from “Assessment 2021
Meeting with Associate Deans, 27 January 2021” has been withheld under
section 9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs
through the free and frank expression of opinion.

“- Regarding the selection of the Inspera platform for computer-based
exams, what other options were considered, and details of the assessments
with regards to features, capabilities and costs that were done with
Inspera and the other platforms (if any) that resulted in Inspera being
selected as the University’s computer-based exams platform.”

 

Part of the information requested is attached (provided in the form of
excerpts). The remaining information is withheld under section 9(2)(j) of
the Official Information Act, to enable the University to carry out
negotiations without prejudice or disadvantage.

“- Regarding the University’s decision to hold examinations starting from
5:30pm, with some running until as late 9pm, what considerations were made
towards the impact on student mental health?”

 

Evening sessions have been held each main semester exam period since 2011.
With the move to remote, online exams in 2021, evening sessions (semester
one 2021 5:30pm start time, semester two 2021 5:00pm start time) reflect
the narrow scheduling window available to the University in which the
majority of our students — both in New Zealand and offshore — can take an
exam simultaneously. This reduces the risk of academic-integrity breaches
were students not to take their exam at the same designated time. It is
also more equitable than having additional exam versions to cater for
exams taken in different time zones, and enables parity of student
experience, regardless of location. Students can continue to apply as
usual to sit an exam out of time if their circumstances meet the
requirements, as well as to sit their exam under special conditions. More
detailed information on the 2011 decision-making process for introducing
evening examinations cannot be provided without substantial collation or
research, and this part of your request is refused under section 18(f) of
the Official Information Act. Neither consulting with you, nor imposing a
charge or extending the time limit for this request, would enable this
part of your request to be granted.

You have the right to make a complaint to an Ombudsman if you are
dissatisfied with this response.

 

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Ewert

General Counsel

University of Auckland

 

From: Adam Clifford <[1][FYI request #16329 email]>
Sent: Friday, 6 August 2021 6:54 PM
To: legal <[2][email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Online Examinations

 

Dear University of Auckland,

Please supply the following information under the Official Information Act
1982:

- Regarding the selection of the Inspera platform for computer-based
exams, what other options were considered, and details of the assessments
with regards to features, capabilities and costs that were done with
Inspera and the other platforms (if any) that resulted in Inspera being
selected as the University’s computer-based exams platform.

- What is the annual licensing cost for using the Inspera platform?

- Relating to the University’s decision, confirmed on February 24, 2021,
that [only] “Courses with professional accreditation or registration
requirements specifying invigilated examinations; courses that are a
requirement for selection into limited entry programmes; and courses with
performance or practical examinations may apply for an exception to
conduct Semester 1, Quarter 1, or Quarter 2 final examinations on campus.”
Please provide all documentation relating to the rationale in not
permitting other in-person examinations in 2021 under COVID-19 Alert Level
1. In particular, please provide the rationale for not permitting
in-person examinations in subjects where academic misconduct can easily
occur in non-invigilated environments, e.g., mathematics and engineering.

- Regarding the University’s decision to hold examinations starting from
5:30pm, with some running until as late 9pm, what considerations were made
towards the impact on student mental health?

I understand that a decision on a request for information under the
Official Information Act 1982 should be made within 20 working days of
receiving that request.

Yours faithfully,

Adam Clifford

-------------------------------------------------------------------

This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FYI request #16329 email]

Is [4][University of Auckland request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to University of Auckland? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[5]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[6]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FYI request #16329 email]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FYI request #16329 email]
4. mailto:[University of Auckland request email]
5. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
6. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers