Earlier this semester, the Carver 0060 testing center received $625,000 in renovations. On Thursday afternoon, a ribbon cutting and open house were held to celebrate the changes that were made.
Joel Hochstein, a testing center manager for the Center for Excellence in Learning & Teaching, said the primary goal of the renovations was to improve the student test-taking experience.
“The ultimate goal of the renovations is to make sure that we’re providing an environment for students to do their best,” Hochstein said.
According to Hochstein, the changes included separate check-in spaces, lockers and private cubbies.
“We added individual private cubbies to help reduce test anxiety and to help increase focus. That way, when students are coming in to test with us, we’re providing them an environment where we think that they’re going to be more successful,” Hochstein said.
Lauren Hanson, a junior in elementary education, is in her second year as a testing center team lead.
“A lot of our job is monitoring students to make sure they are taking their exams in a responsible way and not using anything they’re not supposed to,” Hanson said.
Hanson explained that the testing center monitors students from a variety of angles.
“We have walking proctors, which will walk around and proctor students, and then we also have a team that works in the camera room, and so they will observe the cameras above each of the students desks,” Hanson said. “We always communicate to let each other know if we notice something suspicious.”
Hanson said the renovations have limited the number of risks proctors have to check for and have given students more privacy.
“We have lockers now, so students are supposed to leave their phones, wallets, watches, anything in their lockers, and only bring in their testing materials,” Hanson said. “There’s a lot more privacy for students, too. Having the dividers reduces anxiety and helps them feel more comfortable.”
Jessica Reiff, a junior in electrical engineering, takes many of her tests at the Carver 0060 testing center.
“It’s my favorite testing center to be in, so I always try to go to this one,” Reiff said.
While it can be inconvenient to leave her belongings behind, Reiff noted that the new lockers are easy to use.
“It makes me nervous sometimes to not have my stuff with me at all times, but it’s nice that they lock automatically and are easy to use,” Reiff said.
Reiff said turning away from privacy screens on the computers makes it easier to take her exams.
“I like it because with the new cubicles, they don’t have to do the privacy screens anymore. It’s a lot easier to read the computer screens, which makes it easier to take the exam,” Reiff said.
Overall, Reiff liked the privacy that cubicles provide.
“You get a little bit of privacy in the cubicle, so you’re less aware of what’s going on around you. What’s distracting for me is the people sitting across from me, so that’s also nice,” Reiff said.
Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony included a program with Dr. Sarah Marchetti and Provost Jason Keith speaking and an open house and tours for faculty, which were led by student leaders.
For more information on the testing center updates, click here.
