Identity Verification Policy

AUDIENCE

All constituents utilizing Thomas More University Information Technology Resources or obtaining a Thomas More University Saints ID card.  This includes all University employees, students, vendor partner employees and University guests.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

This policy is to ensure compliance with the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 and SACSCOC Accreditation Standards to protect the integrity of student academic records and degrees. In addition, this policy helps to protect individual identity and the privacy and security of University data.  

DEFINITIONS

Government issued photo identification: 

• State issued driver's license or other photo identity card, unexpired
• Permanent resident card 
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. military ID card

Identity verification - The process of confirming that the name and photo on the provided government issued photo identification match both the person presenting the identification as well as the information associated with the Thomas More computer system record. The process can only be performed in person or through video conferencing software by authorized Thomas More University employees. The process includes marking the computer system record as having been identity verified.

Information Technology Resources - as defined in the Acceptable Use of University Information Technology

THE POLICY

Before obtaining access to Thomas More University Information Technology Resources or obtaining a Thomas More University Saints ID card, all individuals must have their identity verified.

To obtain access to Information Technology Resources:

1. Employees will have their identity verified by Human Resources.
2. Vendor employees or contractors will have their identity verified by IT Services.  
3. Students obtaining initial access to Information Technology Resources have their identity verified by an enrollment officer or IT services.
4. Identity of students attending courses exclusively at a local high school through the dual credit program is verified by the high school.

Identity will be verified by IT Services to reset a password.

To obtain a Thomas More University Saints ID card:

1. Students obtaining Saints ID cards at orientation sessions have their identity verified during the enrollment process by an enrollment officer or IT Services.  The Saints ID card is then printed by Campus Safety and distributed during orientation by a Thomas More University employee.
2. All other Saints ID cards are printed by Campus Safety and will require identity verification at that time.  This requirement applies to initial ID cards and replacement ID cards.

RELATED POLICIES AND APPLICABLE LEGAL OR ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation standard 10.6 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) 

United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA)

PROCEDURES

None

REFERENCING THE POLICY

Dual Credit Memorandum of Understanding with area high schools

HISTORY

APPENDIX

None

APPROVALS

Sean Kapsal, Director of IT Services

William Wilson, Director of Campus Safety

Kathleen Jagger, Acting President