Many students are disappointed by Carleton University’s recent course schedule changes for the winter 2022 semester, which students say returned many classes to online delivery. The university must provide resources for students to accommodate these changes.
COVID-19 has had a lasting impact on students, either due to financial hardships, family loss, a failure to reach academic goals or mental health challenges on campus.
Students already incurred high tuition rates and other expenses, such as rent, with the expectation that in-person classes—along with the quality of education that coincides—would resume next semester.
International students are some of those most affected by financial hardships with outrageously high tuition rates. Many international students have contacted me via direct messages and emails, stating they are extremely displeased with the lack of transparency behind course scheduling changes and are well within their rights to demand a higher standard of education.
Students are also struggling with online learning. While the university must prioritize the health and safety of students it must also prioritize their well-being. This is especially important considering its decision to diverge from common approaches being taken across other Ontario universities, such as Trent, which already started offering full time in-person courses for the current fall semester.
If Carleton plans to deliver another semester of online learning, it must be prepared to accommodate students with adequate resources that ease the ongoing financial burdens associated with this decision like tuition rebates, which would ease excessive financial obligations.
Many students also find it hard to achieve the same academic success online as it can be challenging to adapt to unprecedented teaching styles. With the emerging severity of these adverse mental health effects, like anxiety, depression and stress, Carleton must improve students’ access to academic resources and continue implementing compassionate policies.
Carleton prides itself on creating safe and inclusive environments that support personal growth and academic development. It must remain committed to upholding these values by enforcing continued academic leniency, such as compassionate grading, increased professor check-ins for students who have fallen behind, and the continued validity of self-declaration forms for absences and extensions.
It has never been more urgent to provide academic and financial relief to Carleton students for the sake of their mental well-being. Carleton University must provide meaningful resources related to COVID-19 for students, including therapeutic tools directed towards social isolation and academic burnout, and by fostering environments that reduce stress and anxiety.
Featured image provided by Anastasia Lettieri.
