The only way possible anyone (not just the college) is going to get a tax return that is signed (electronic or not) is if you take a pen and physically sign it. Period. It seems quite apparent to me that you're dealing with someone at the college who is either clueless, or is not allowed to think for themselves and produce a self-induced thought at the risk of losing their job for having the audacity to do so.
If you really want to catch them with their "pants down" ask them to show you "ANY" tax return that is "electronically signed".
