Queen’s University professor faces backlash for accommodating students’ exam needs
A philosophy professor at Queen’s University in Canada has been removed from her logic course following a dispute with the university’s Exams Office over accommodating students who require the use of a computer for exams. The professor, Adele Mercier, sought to modernize the exam format to accommodate two students enrolled in the to Logic course. However, the university’s policies restricted the Exams Office from allowing non-accommodated students to use personal computers for exams. As a result, Mercier’s attempts to accommodate her students led to a clash with the Exams Office and subsequent removal from the course.
Modernizing the Exam Format
Mercier and her teaching assistant, Tianze Chen, had been working throughout the semester to computerize the exam format for students in the to Logic course. They developed a “cheat-proof” software that students had been using for homework exercises. When Mercier informed the Exams Office of the new format, problems arose due to policies that prohibited non-accommodated students from using personal computers for exams.
Overly Accommodating or Infringement on Autonomy?
In response to the policy restrictions, Mercier filed an official complaint, arguing that the imposition of “para-academics” to modify the exam format infringed upon academic autonomy. She also highlighted the adverse impact on students who were prepared to write a computerized midterm. Despite the Exams Office’s advisory, Mercier decided to offer students the option of a paper-based or computerized exam, allowing those who required the use of laptops to do so in her classroom.
Clash with the Exams Office
The Exams Office informed Mercier that her proposed options were not feasible. Non-accommodated students were required to write a paper-based exam, while accommodated students were given two options: have the Exams Office administer the computerized exam privately, or let them modify the exam format. Mercier chose the latter, arranging for private rooms and proctors in Gordon Hall to ensure all students could write the exam on a computer. However, the day before the exam, students received an email from the faculty associate director, Haley Everson, canceling the exam.
Unclear Escalation
The reasons for the escalation of the situation remain unclear. One student in the class withdrew their accommodations, stating that they found the alternatives offered by Mercier to be fair. Another student raised concerns about the potential infringement on Mercier’s academic freedom. The administration ultimately replaced Mercier and Chen with another faculty member, Mark Smith, and offered students the option to drop the course with a full tuition refund.
Previous Controversy
This recent dispute is not the first time Mercier has faced controversy at Queen’s University. In a previous case, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal ordered the university to pay Mercier $20,000 in general damages and $5,000 in punitive damages due to how she was treated after raising issues of gender discrimination in her department.
Conclusion:
The removal of philosophy professor Adele Mercier from her logic course at Queen’s University has sparked a debate over the accommodation of students with exam needs. While Mercier sought to modernize the exam format to cater to students requiring the use of computers, the clash with the Exams Office resulted in her removal from the course. The incident raises questions about academic autonomy, accommodation policies, and the potential infringement on professors’ rights. As the university works to address accessibility requirements, the fallout from this dispute serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between accommodating students’ needs and maintaining academic integrity.
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