A professor at UNC’s business school is raising concerns about the way the university is investigating his class conduct. Professor Larry Chavis received a letter from the associate dean stating that his classes had been recorded using the classroom’s Panopto camera without his knowledge. The letter mentioned that several class sessions had been reviewed without his prior consent.
Chavis expressed his concerns about the letter having a chilling effect on both himself and his students. He worries that students may feel uncomfortable knowing that their interactions in class could be monitored by people outside the classroom. This unexpected recording has raised questions about privacy and trust within the classroom setting.
UNC has issued a statement acknowledging the situation and highlighting their adherence to applicable laws regarding the filming of classes. However, Chavis shared a personal example of a student discussing a sensitive topic in class, unaware that the conversation was being recorded. He emphasized how this lack of awareness could alter the dynamics of classroom discussions.
The investigation into Chavis’s conduct began following reports received by the Kenan-Flagler Business School over the past few months. Chavis suspects that the investigation may have been triggered by him reading an email exchange between himself and the dean to his class. He is troubled by the potential impact of the recordings on the open and trusting environment that is essential for effective learning.
