InCommon Student/CommIT Collaborative - February 3, 2012
Attending:
Kim Alling, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Louis Hunt, North Carolina State University
Dave Leszczynski, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mark McConahay, Indiana University
Harry Nicolos, North Carolina State University
Rodney Petersen EDUCAUSE
Doug Shook, University of Southern California
Vince Timbers, Penn State
Joy Veronneau, Cornell University
Ann West, Internet2/InCommon
Dean Woodbeck, Internet2/InCommon
Scenario #1 (Google doc: http://tinyurl.com/Student-Scenarios)
In the scenario, if Penn State requests demographic information from another data source (another member of the CommIT Collaborative), the individual would need to approve the use of that information.
Is there a mechanism by which the individual can control the flow of information? For example, go the collaborative and say, “If someone requests info about my academic record, do not release unless I specifically allow it. But if someone requests my name, that’s OK.”
There was a discussion of the ways in which the passing of credentials might take place (related to the second paragraph of the first scenario). All agreed that the CommIT credential would add value regardless of the method of data flow, given that it would simplify matching of information the university receives from various sources. It would also make it easier for the student to complete the application. Another value is the outsourcing of authentication for prospective students.
It was also pointed out that each SAT or ACT test is an independent event. If the student re-takes a test, he/she has to again specify where the scores are sent.
If the CommIT credential qualifies for NIST LoA2/InCommon Silver, there are other benefits. An institution could provide additional services, given that assurance is higher. Perhaps placement tests could be administered at a distance, so the student can be placed in classes sooner.
When would a student transition from a CommIT credential to a university credential? Perhaps upon enrolling (although this is, of course, up to the individual institution). When this happens, the university may not need to identity proof the student (since CommIT has already done so), simplifying the onboarding. This could be particularly useful for distance ed.
The consensus is that this story (scenario #1) is far enough along to share and get feedback.
FYI -- the technical group is looking at simulating the process of accessing the scores.
NEXT MEETING – Friday, February 17, 2012 – 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT / 1 pm MT / Noon PT