Comments:
this survey was a great idea, but the part I dont understand is with an
undergraduate population of ofver 12,000 people, we only have 4 achademic
advisers. The students Association (CUSA) is having to pick up alot of the
slack
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Comments:
no comments at this time
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Comments: I enjoy attending Carleton very much. The programs I am taking are
interesting but at the same time quite broad. Maybe if they were a little
more specialized it would be better for students in finding a job placement
after university. Another thing I find, which I am sure many other students
find, is the extremely expensive required texts which change every year!
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Comments:
I chose to attend Carleton in order to be part of the Public Affairs &
Policy Management program, specifically the Human Rights specialization. I
am very pleased with the courses that I have been able to take through
this specialization.
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Comments:
I do not think that the womyn's studies program at
Carleton should have to be combined with a minor or
major in another field of study.
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Comments:
career services should be a little better with people willing to help, (to not always have to help ourselves). There should be bigger class sizes and more technology toward lectures. Also, the chat system sucks because it's hard to access at home.
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Comments:
A policy needs to be made with regard to final exams and the event of the
fire alarm going off in a building where the exams are being written.
During my Christmas exam CC.CCC someone pulled the fire alarm 35 minutes
before the end of the exam. As required we all went outside until the
buiding was cleared and stood with the Proctors. Our professor, Dr. XXXXX, decided that the exam was over and our mark would reflect our
answers. We the students explained that we hadn't finished the exam and that
there was 35 minutes remaining. The response remained the same. My final
exam was corrected as if I was finished, however I was not - I was ENTITLED
to 35 minutes!! As a result, I finished the class with a MUCH lower grade
than expected and it will forever be a mark on my transcript. It would be
one thing if I made errors on my final exam, it is quite another to not be
allowed to complete the exam, or write a make up or whatever, due to a fire
alarm. I spoke with the department, the faculty and have been told that
Carleton University does not have a rule therefore they cannot help me and
the many other students. I should point out that the engineering professor
allowed his/her students to complete their final exam!
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Comments: I am a part time adult student attempting to finish my degree
(poly sci). I returned to Carleton initially because of the ITV program,
unfortunately only one applicable course was offered in this format. The
ITV program is ideal for the mature student. Why are there not more
courses offered using this delivery mechnism? I am trying to complete my
program with night courses however there are very few options available
each term, I find this fustrating. PARKING PARKING PARKING is impossible.
I dash from work to attend a course with minutes to spare only to circle
the campus looking for a spot. I pay more to park at Carleton than I do to
park in the downtown core?
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Comments:
I enjoy my time at Carleton University, and Im hoping that it will allow
me to better myself for a possible career in the fiel of my choice.
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Comments:
I find alot of multiple choice tests and do not agree with them. I think a
student should be able to learn a theory and be able to apply it and not
just memorize what the teacher wants you to, this way you would remember
concepts and how to use and apply them.
I find some teachers do not have a clue what they are talking about in some
courses, if a teacher that is not qualified is not available to teach a
class then it should not be offered because we are not getting the education
we pay for.
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Comments: I am in the Humanities Program. My classes are deliberately small so that students and teachers can interact with eachother. This is not, so I have heard, the case with most other classes. My survey is probably not a good indicator of the quality of Carleton programming.
Also: Send out your acceptance letters *much* earlier! Many
prospective first-year students complain/worry about how the other
universities they apply to demand answers (yes or no to the acceptance
letters) well before the letters from Carleton ever arrive, thus some
students wind up at their second choice university because they did not
know that they had been accepted to Carleton.
Do better.
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Comments: It would be very desirable to include in our tuition fees a bus
pass, somewhat like most other universities, such as the University of
Guelph have.
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Comments:I am in political science and there are way too many sessional
professors...i am not paying top dollar for courses while carleton gets a
discount. My friend in poli sci has 4 of 5 of her lecturers that are PhD
candidates...I myself have two...students are very angry about this. While
some of them may be good, others are horrible. While they have to practice
somewhere, I don't think that a classroom full of high paying students is
it. If carleton is saving $$ by hiring sessionals, and I have to get cut
rate instructors, I want a discount for the courses that they teach. No
where else would I pay top dollar for inferior goods
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Comments: While my particular program at has been very educational and
satisfying, In only one and a half years at Carleton I have several bad
experiences. My professors have so many students that finding a good
meeting time with them was impossible, or too short to make any difference.
My TA groups provided some help, but more often than not the
conversations deviated from a school topic to drinking stories and rants
from TAs on any number of matters. Services to help students with
emotional problems are sub par. Finding room for an appointment, even when
on the verge of suicide has often been so bad that I haven't even bothered.
Teacher reviews are often held at the end of a term, and therefore, I
will not be able to comment with anonimity on the two classes I have
dropped for specific reasons. Certain class marking structures are a
dis-service for students. Having a full year course with only two exams
and no assignments or quizes can mean a year of hard work could be ruined
by a bad day. Professors, while very intelligent and great researchers are
inferior teachers, and their lectures could be entirely avoided by simply
reading a few books. If I to choose a university again, I would not choose
Carleton. I came here because I was offered a large scholarship and
because of a supposed good reputation. The main thing I learned here is
that money isn't everything, and that paying a high tuition doesn't
guarantee a quality education. I will not pursue a graduate degree here.
I will not recommend Carleton to any prospective students. I will leave
here with some important education, but also a life experience which will
teach me not to judge a book by its cover. I'm an A-average student, and
not someone who is bitter because of receiving bad grades. I'm bitter
because Carleton's administration has mislead me as a student, and
misrepresented itself.
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Comments: I have been studying Criminology and law at Carleton for the
better part of two years and throughout my university career i found
Carleton to offer good programs that will help people get a good, satisfying
career when they are complete their studies. I especially am very satisfied
with the Criminology course offered at Carleton. Taking the courses i did
allows me to expand my options. Also my somwhat course diversity, hopefully
tells employers that i am interested in change and open-minded. With the
above being said i am thankful i chose Carleton and i would recommend it to
others. The only real problem i had with Carleton is the Library, it should
be bigger and the hours should change from closing at 11pm to may be
0100hrs. If not extend the hours overall, maybe change the hours during
exams, like most universities down west do.
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Comments: Overall I am satisfied with Carleton University, however there are some things that could be
improved upon. The classes are huge, and I understand that this is an inevitability of a university, but if after those lectures the classes could be broken more often into smaller group discussions, I believe that greater understanding and interest could be generated from the lectures.
One last thing to note is that with the greater economic
opportunities opening in Asian countries, I would
have thought that Carleton would be offering Asian languages such
as Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean at advanced
levels. Instead these languages are taught only at their
rudiments - if at all. In this age of globalization it would be
beneficial to give Carleton students the
opportunity to communicate effectively with a fifth of the world's
population.
Thank you.
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Comments: My experience at Carleton was wonderful, despite the apalling
lack of organisation of the following: Carleton International (so
unhelpful, it was actually a hindrance to my taking courses abraod!) RRRA
and occasionally CUSA. The reason most people don't take advantage of some
of the services offered is because they don't know about them-- change
this!
Comments: I am a tape-to-you student in Victoria, BC. There is very little
support for me in most of the areas listed above.
Comments: Students should be better notified about opportunities related
to their field (e.g., places that need volunteers, work experience, etc.)-
maybe in a general newsgroup for everyone in a particular major, or posted
on a website (but maybe you already have this and I just don't know about
it - in which case, students should be notifed!). I strongly agree that
there should be mandatory academic advising in choosing courses, and in
finding out what some things in the calendar mean (e.g., "With permission of
the department"- how do you get permission?). Also, given the fact that the
vast majority of Carleton Students are likely in debt because they're
attempting to receive an education which is necessary for today's job
market, there should be some kind of money management/debt counselling type
service. More people should know about the mental health services at
Carleton.
Comments: I take journalism and I answered questions regarding proffessors,
potential employment etc. (most of the survey) from that viewpoint. The
other classes I take (history, poli sci) would get a 'average' ranking only.
Comments: One of my main concerns with Carleton University is the policy
that students pay the same tuition if they are full time students,
regardless of whether they take four or five classes. If you ask me, this
penalizes people who work and eliminates the option for those who feel that
they may be more successful if taking less than five classes. Many other
universities have adopted a system where tuition varies according to how
many classes you register in and I think that Carleton would benefit from
this as well.
Comments: Having grades available prior to a new semester starting would
be better than waiting till mid-January. Students should know before they
begin new classes if they passed the pre-requisits.
Comments:
some professors do not put in a good effort to impart the course
objectives and the material required to meet these objectives
some professors should not be teaching because they do not know how to
make others learn - it seems that the university is more interested in
these professors for their research and being-published-abilty instead of
producing good graduates that deserve it as opposed to those who squeaked
through the system
some professors/ta's grade in relation to their personal views or are
judgemental because of their personal views
registrar office staff and all other administerial staff seem to be
unhappy with their lives and/or jobs and as a result put in a poor effort
to provide the help/answers they're paid for - a common answer is "You
have to call (blank)" or "there is nothing we can do for you" - when in
fact there is solution---all problems have an answer
Comments: I would like to see more degrees leading to a profession.
Comments:I couldn't afford to go away to school, and Carleton offered high
entrance scholarships.
Comments: I think that Carleton needs to focus on much more hands-on training. I also think that co-op education should be mandatory and there should be more lectures on people talking about being in certain career fields. Additionally, students should be able to take any elective courses that they please being that they are paying to take these courses. I am saying this because I am a Public Affairs and Policy Management Major with a specialization in Strategic Public Opinion and Policy Analysis. I wanted to take a Mass Communications course about Television Analysis but I had not taken the prerequisite, however, it said that I might have a chance with permission from the faculty. Unfortunately, the faculty didn't even give me a chance and didn't even hear me out. Just because I didn't have a certain course - she thought that I wasn't qualified. There were 3 of us who were in programs related to Mass Comm. and she didn't give us a chance to take the course or explain our !
cases! I wanted to take this course out of interest and because it would be of value to my career field of Public Relations. If this is an institution that values education and what we as individuals truly want to learn given the choice - Carleton should allow all courses to be open to all students. If we fail in that course because we don't have a prerequisite - then we fail - not you! Carleton already fails for not giving us the chance!!!!
Comments:
The idea for earlier registration is a very good idea, because should a
student have an issue to resolve they currently must potentially miss
classes to correct it. To have every problem squared away during the summer
would be smarter, and would allow carleton to plan class room designations,
and hence avoid overful sections and put under-demanded sections in small
classrooms. It would also allow for efficient allotment of t.a.'s (should we
even have any by then!!). Truly a great idea, i would work it as so. In
june, students receive time slots for the courses just as we do now, except
they would not have rooms assigned. We could then choose based on professor
(make them accurate please this is a very influential factor!!) and time.
Once the program has analyzed demand, they could assign classrooms (ie a
tiny classroom or one of the theatres) to each section. This would have
saved me some major headaches this year, in an overcrowded program
(commerce - II).
Comments:
I feel that early scheduling for students 2nd year and up would help to
allow for part-time job scheduling early on. I also feel that if we are
paying as much as we are in tuition that we should have a better choice of
the classes we sign up for. When I registered for my 3rd year courses this
year, many of my first choice classes (sections) were full and I had to
rearrange my work schedule and not have optimum study/class time.
I also feel that these surveys are great but the feedback on them is
not always as great. Is there some way to send out email results of the
surveys in the end?
I feel that Carleton has some great professors who genuinely care about
the students and want us to do well. They love to teach and it shows. Then
there are others who obviously hate their jobs and do not treat the whole
class the same way. I wish that the teacher surveys at the end of the terms
had a greater effect on professors.
Comments: I am very displeased being a varsity athlete and not having the full support of the administration throughout the school. Removing high status athletic programs because someone in Robertson Hall has some beef from years past is a very weak arguement for removal of an essential means for attracting potential students. Richard Van Loon has ruined my once very promising university athletic career, and as such, demand a full and outrught explanation as to why he saw fit to remaove the Football program in which he was once involved during his university years.
Comments:Carleton is a great school. However i do not like the
registration system, it atkes place way too late in the year, and classes
Comments: Mandatory advising should not be in place but there should be more
info about the fact that it is available to all students, but it should not
be made mandatory. Early registration would be great because it allows for
those away from the city. In my example, I work at my cottage where Ido not
have a touch tone phone which makes registering very difficult.
Comments:
Carleton University, and particularly the School of Journalism, has been
very good to me. The ability to register earlier (as mentionned above) is
particuarly helpful to upper-year students who know what classes they want
sooner. Registration on the Internet would also be a good thing to look
into. Fianlly, a paper transcript of grades shortly after the winter break
for half credit courses and shortly after the end of the year would be
good, because I never remember to check the touchtone system and my summer
job requires proof of completion of one year and acceptance to the next. I
don't think I should have to bug the registrar's office for that in May,
only to be told that it won't be available until July.
Comments: 1) Get rid of ALL the negitive option billing and opt. out plans on tuition .. and make the Athelectics a sepret membership fee 2) > My anual expences (including tution, books, rent) are around $12,000 how do you expect a student who does not yet have a university education > to earn 12,000 in a summer job? I want to focase on LEARNING not WORKING weekends. 3) Also, create a meal plan for off-campus students, say about 5 meals a week offered by the food court in the Unicenter
Comments: Although I have not had the need for seeking advice from the registrar, I am in a position (because of my job on campus) where I have to try to refer people to various administrative offices on campus. The quality of service is very poor, the offices rarely answer the phone, most offices openly violate the 'open over the lunch hour' policy, and some offices, (records for example) are rude to students. It is clear the administrative staff need to be reminded that the school is to be opened from 8:30-4:30, and only by permission are they to close over lunch. Also, it is clear the staff, for the most part has forgotten that without the students here, they would be out of a job. Many students get no answer when they try to make phone requests, and voice mail messages (if there is the opportunity to make one) have been known to be not returned. I have been lucky, my department is small, so I usually get my queries responded to immediately, and also I have been fortunate enough not to have had to deal with the awards office, which is clearly understaffed.
Comments: I am deeply insatisfied with the internet connecton provided to
residence students. I feel cheated sincee I paid less for the connection
last year and it was better.
Comments:
I am 47 years of age and hold a permanent job and am unlikely to
change jobs as a result of my education at Carleton. I am registered in an
B.A. Hon. (English/Law) program and I'm taking courses mainly for my own
personal development. I appreciate the opportunity to take classes on a
part-time basis with no deadline for completion of my degree. I also
appreciate the ITV courses and, although I normally register as an "in
class" student, it is convenient to tape classes when I have to be out of
town.
My employer would likely not be too supportive of my taking time off
during business hours to attend classes, so Carleton's efforts to schedule
classes in the evening or by ITV will be much appreciated.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide my input!
Comments: I had no idea that Carleton had all of the advisory services
mentioned on this survey nor where/how to access them if I did knowt they
existed. Instead of requiring approval to for our course loads each year
perhaps a mandatory counselling session at the beginning or middle of each
students first year would be a good idea
Comments: Carleton should launch a major public relations campaign to help shed its former "last chance U." image. We have the best Journalism and Mass Communication schools around Canada, so why don't we show everyone how good they really are?
Comments:
I would like to see the services on the touchtone system become internet
based in the future.
Comments: I definitely felt (especially this year) that some professors
do not wish for all of his/her students to do well in a class. I feel it
makes all the difference in the world if professors express their
concern and appreciation for their students.
As well, I think that maybe the touchtone system is not a reliable method
of seeking grade results. I know quite a few of my profs had difficulty
entering grades into the touchtone system. Is it possible maybe to
register for courses/seek grades online, similar to other universities?
Comments: I am very disappointed with the care for students that the
University puts forth. I don't feel that I am valued in the least,
despite paying A LOT of hard earned money for this education. Very
disappointing. I can no longer suggest that anyone interested in a
quality education come to Carleton University, not because of the
quality per se, but rather the size of clases and the lack of care for
the students
Comments: I cannot say that I feel that I am getting my money's worth for
my tuition. However, I also feel that there are many aspects of the
education I am receiving, such as extra-curricular activities and
individual professors, which give me a sense of hope for the future
(especially if tuition is lowered).
Comments:
I believe that interdiciplinary is the key word. Extended interdiciplinary
specialization could dramatically increase the percentage of students who
graduate after changing majors. It could facilitate recognition of credits
that have already been earned. This might even yield greater incentives to
return to Carleton in order to complete additional degrees.
I agree with the principle of the breadth requirements, however I believe
that the current requirements are to stringent. I would recommend that only
a half credit be required in one or all of the four catagories. It seems
senseless to be forced to study a subject of little or no interest for a
full year when the fundamental principles of most topics may be covered in a
single semester; Or even worse, be forced to study an additional year
because of a poor grade in an undesired course.
The greatest difficulty I have with the registration system is the priority
given to students in earlier years of study. If upper year students were
given priority I believe the number of student who graduate without delay
would increase. This would reduce the burden of financial debt born by
students. Furthermore I believe there would be a greater incentive for
Carleton to meet the demand for seats in various courses rather than simply
declaring the course full and requiring an additional year of study from a
great many students!
The registration period could be extended into early July but June is
excesive. I would greatly support any initiative that would reduce the need
to be on the phone at the designated moment in order to increase the
probability of reserving space in required courses.
Perhaps registration would benefit more from a Web-based application than
career counselling services. A Web-based registration system could:
- determine alternative schedules for selected courses
- choose appropriate sections to eliminate conflicts
- indicate current enrollment in various courses
- be adjusted by the registrar to reflect course changes or additions
- offer updated information on an individuals graduation requirements
- provide alternatives or procedures to help deal with "full" courses
Comments: Carleton as an institution frusterates me because it has replaced legitimate study with petty bureaucracy. I attend Carelton because it has by far the best poli-sci dept. in North America. I have enough background training in politics to go out and raise an army and take over a small country. I don't know if that is what you meant by practical job application. I mean, if I wanted to I could be a first rate Dictator. But would Carleton give me an honorary masters in poli-sci if I did that? I mean, is practicing theory in the real world that important to be recognized as a Carleton student? I think it's more important to become a better individual through a higher understanding of knowledge than to be able to apply that knowledge to the "real" (outside of classroom) world. I attend Carleton to understand the world around me better. I have learned specific tools that are not as of yet recognized in our society as "useful" in a conventional sense. But these tools are practical in other applications such as the rallying of engineers to focus on special projects. Why bother learning how to use a computer when you can pay someone to produce a product using a computer for you and make millions?
Comments:
I am unaware of what other universities are like but I find Carleton to be
one of the most unorganized, money wasting organizations I have ever had the
priviledge of being apart of. If other universities are like Carleton I
feel that Canada's youth would be better off being educated by monkeys.
Comments: I transferred to Carleton after doing a year elsewhere. I am sad
to say that for the most part it has been a big headache ever since. There
have been a few sensational professors but those are far outnumbered by the
other professors and various staff and advisors that don't view you as
anything more than a number in line. Ever since my first year of transfer I
have had to repeat myself and defend my case a countless number of times
because of computer glitches and because of human error. Also, I can't even
keep track of the number of times various staff 'passed the buck' and gave
me the run around instead of answering a few basic administration questions.
If you don't know the answer that is perfectly fine, but if you are too
pig headed to admit it and direct me to someone who does you aren't doing a
good job and shouldn't be working at an institution that I'm paying almost
$5,000/year to attend. Too often has some employee made me feel like a
burden to them; but yet, I,we(as students), are paying their salaries.
Another thought.....paying rent to watch a class we paid thousands of
dollars in tuition to take on T.V.......outrageous!!!! And to have the
F#@!ing nerve to charge us over $20/day because we are sick! If the damn
administration can't figure out how to pay profs. and coordinate classes
that meet the required amount then maybe they shouldn't allow more than they
could handle. If they are going to allow more then don't penalize them by
charging them more (and even more if late) because the dopey administratives
can't work a calculator and figure that they can't afford to pay that many
profs.
Comments:
Not all profs are irresponsible and uncaring to their students, just some.
My complaint is that profs should make an honest effort to make sure all
students learn. They understand the material because they have been
teaching it for years or specialize in it. Don't expect students to be
mindreaders. Advisors at registry office are far more helpful and
understanding (and polite~!!!!) than Department advisors. Some programs
seem to try to force students out of university (selecting the cream of the
crop) instead of making an effort to try to teach students and make them
understand (i.e. making everyone the cream of the crop). This is an issue
that I complain the most about.
Comments:
Carlton has the reputation as "last chance" university. The administration
is half-assed and lacking since the system has changed to the phone lines.
If the administration of Carleton's offices were as proffesional as the
professors, Carleton would rank higher in Maclean's. Start treating the
stundents as assests, not numbers. You're Alumni is your future.
Comments:
i came to carleton mainly for the scholarship money (i got $20,000). this
is a very good way to get above average students to attend. i am part of
the unique international business BIB program.. in terms of career
counselling, i feel we get lost under the broader COMMERCE umbrella. also
this program has not been sold to employers and advertised enough to give it
good recognition, even within the ottawa area. i feel that after graduation
i will have to sell myself and my degree, instead of having people recruit
me and know about the BIB program. if i had gone to queens or u of toronto,
i am certain i would have been recruited but here at carleton i know iwont
be, business recruiting only happens for accounting! this worries me, that
the university goes to lengths to introduce new programs but then doenst do
anything to back them up, sell them to the ottawa employers or even national
companies. this is a huge improvement area.
one other comment is that in the big parking garage, i think all levels
should be available to students (say after 4 or 5pm) because once the
business day is done, then the levels 3 - 9 remain empty while we have to
drive all the way up past those prime spots!
lastly i have a large concern for how TAs get selected and evaluated, in
various of my business courses i have had completely incompetent TAs or TA's
who are very hard markers, where other friends have gotten easy A marks from
easy TA markers. I think something should be done , some training or
stardardized criteria for marking, such that these gross inequalities do not
happen.
thanks and good luck.
Comments: My studies at Carleton are primarily for personal fulfillment. I
am working full time at a good position which I am unlikely to change
after graduation from Carleton.
Comments: All students would benefit if there were more computers,
printers, photo copiers (in different locations) and microwaves. These are
the things that students get frustrated with. Students are forced into
extremely long waiting lines (20min. is not uncommen) or are forced to walk
half way accross campus to use such facilities. Students are time pressed
and can not afford these eneficientcies. More career counciling would also
be desired or advertising of these services.
Comments: I am so tremendously bored attending Carleton that I could
jump off Dunton Tower. Seriously, I can't stand going to classes and I
only go about half the time now... Did I mention that I'm an A student
and have the President's Scholarship? If you guys can't manage to hold
my attention, imagine what it must be like for people who haven't quite
honed their study skills. I'm taking Religion & there are only about 7
courses available. The department is too small to really provide any
meaningful assistance, and you've taken away the Masters program. So
where does that leave me? (Answer: wishing I'd accepted the entrance
offer at Queen's, U. of T. & Guelph). The only good things about
attending Carleton, as far as I can see, are: tunnels, proximity to my
house, and the fact that you guys are paying half my tuition. I know, I
know... all I'm doing is complaining, but I really can't stand going to
Carleton. I made a bad choice and am paying for it now.
Comments: I am so tremendously bored attending Carleton
that I
could jump off Dunton Tower. Seriously, I can't stand going to
classes and
I only go about half the time now... Did I mention that I'm an A student
and
have the President's Scholarship? If you guys can't manage to hold
my
attention, imagine what it must be like for people who haven't quite
honed their
study skills. I'm taking Religion & there are only about 7
courses
available. The department is too small to really provide any
meaningful
assistance, and you've taken away the Masters program. So where
does that
leave me? (Answer: wishing I'd accepted the entrance offer
at
Queen's, U. of T. & Guelph). The only good things about
attending
Carleton, as far as I can see, are: tunnels, proximity to my
house, and
the fact that you guys are paying half my tuition. I know, I
know... all
I'm doing is complaining, but I really can't stand going to Carleton. I
made a
bad choice and am paying for it now.
Comments: I think qustion # 26 if done will be likely to cause more
problems due to people unable to register because they can't get approved
into it by their advisor. If they know what they want to do the advisors
should advise not approve because in the end it should be the individuals
choice since they are the ones paying for their education.
Sadly, most of the other stuff you mentioned I was unaware of such as the
department advisors and such and I am a Rez fellow and have a second job as
well to aviod taking too much OSAP and be in more debt.
Comments:I dont see why we cant register for our courses on the web. it would be a lot faster than the touch tone system, which is out dated. I also dont see why we cant regester sooner. At Ottawa U, you can register before you finish your exams in april. Which makes planing for the next year alot easier. I also dont see why it should take so long for our grades to be posted, which can be posted on the web too. For out of town students.
Comments: One area I've been really unhappy about since I've started at
Carleton are the TAs. I don't know if it's just my bad luck, but the
majority I've had have been very inconsistent with the professor and some
just don't even seem to give a damn.
Another issue comes to mind, just recently, however. This year (up to
today's date) I have had one professor cancel 5 classes and another
professor cancel 2. I know that the first professor was working on her
Doctorate (very important), so she had to go to Hawaii awhile, but I don't
think that professors should be given opportunities to travel during the
school months. I'm unsure why the remaining 2 classes were cancelled, but it
starts adding up. I'm paying good money to go to Carleton. Every time a
class is cancelled I think that the professors should get a "supply" or the
students should get some money back. So far this year, I've paid for 7
classes that the professors were unable to attend...it's a waste of my time
and my money.
Comments: i am here because Carleton offered me the most money, and i can keep a 10.0 to keep my scholarship. i work 1600 hours every summer to pay for my living, but tuition keeps rising and i don't have a full scholarship. the problem here isn't the services provided by the unioversity, it's the students who don't take time to plan their lives and just get drunk. i don't think my tuition money should be wasted on babysitting men and women who can not help themselves make simple decisions whihc they need to know how to make for themselves. if you can't register and attend class without making mistakes, who wants to hire you anyway?
Comments:
I intially intended to attend Ottawa U, but I found the staff rude and
impolite. Carleton was the complete opposite, I got the help I needed and
there were programs set up to help with the adjustment to university.
Need more parking and cheaper, classes are fine, but if there is no
place to park then it's hard to get to class. There's no reason to pay over
2 dollars an hour for parking, Carleton makes enough with tuition. If they
do continue to charge so much, they should at least make it more accessible,
and closer to classes. Maybe build a parking garage near the library
parking lot.
Most of my professors have been great, there has been the odd exception;
for instance in my first year I took beginner spanish which was taught by a
T.A. He had no experience, ignored half the class, and was very rude.
Perhaps sticking to professors who get paid more reasonably and who are more
professional would be a good idea.
Comments:
Carleton U is a great place for studying, socializing, and dealing with
pressure under stress. the only problems i have with the university is with
the crazy parking situations (it's like sucking blood from rocks), and the
awards office. i think the awards office could be organized much better, the
line ups are outrageous, not to mention the grumpy staff members. concerning
the parking situation, a lot of students can't get parking passes due to the
overwhelming need of spots, therefor we end up having to park at the meters
which is much too expensive. the whole purpose for attending university is
to get an education that will help us get a decent job in the future, how
are we supposed to do that if all our money goes towards transportation, and
tuition...i find it quite difficult to keep afloat of all the costs Carleton
demands of us. Even Ottawa U (which is located downtown) has a better
parking system that Carleton.
Comments:
The questions about quality of education are difficult to answer because some of the profs are phenominal and others are terrible - and many of the bad ones have been here for years! There is alot of quality work done by the profs, but there are also those that feel compelled to teach to the lowest common denominator. One of my majors is sociology and the department allows people to continue out of soc 100 with a c-. This means that there are alot of people who cannot cope with the material in the higher level classes and waste a lot of time and money that everyone else spends to be here. As the level of the classes gets higher this becomes more frustrating because the same people also don't fully understand the material in second year - so in third year and beyond it is difficult to raise the level of the material and discussion to where it should be.
In terms of the questions regarding employment: I am not planning on
entering the workforce when I graduate. I plan on getting a masters and
then a law degree. I feel that my BA in women's studies and sociology
(that which was high quality) has prepared me for the next level in my
education. (This may seem to contradict my earlier statement, but it is
still possible to take smaller classes with intellegent people - this is
where I have been able to learn a great deal)
Comments: From my experience here so far, I think Carleton is a great
school. Like any other school, there are some great teachers, and some not
so great teachers, so far, I have had mostly good teachers. What I would
like to see implemented at Carleton, and really in every University is a
teacher evaluation. I know we already do it in every class, but what I mean
is more of an evaluation of if they should still be teaching. I don't
recall exactly what it was called, but I have heard the debate of dooing
this in the States.
Comments: carleton is a good school...one problem I've noticed is that staff that service the undergraduates are not very courteous or pleasant to undergraduates.
I have no idea if this means anything to Carleton, but a lot of students
including myself feel that Carleton should offer us with more internship
opportunities within our field of study [like the University of Ottawa].
This would allow us to get some practical experience in addition to our
theoretical education. I realize that certain programs at Carleton do offer
their students with this opportunity (e.g. the Journalism Department)
however they too are for a very limited time. The reason I feel that
internships are an important component to our education is strictly based on
my personal experiences within the job market. Everytime I try to find a job
or a volunteer opportunity within a company I am informed that the position
has been filled with an intern from another school. This leads me to believe
that those with the internship opportunities will always be given preference
because they have working knowledge of the job they're applying for. I hate
to think that by choosing to come to Carleton I have reduced my chances of
getting a decent job in my field of study due this reason.
Comments:I have no choice, CU is the only school with my program. All
registrars and other offices are very slow and disorganised. Put the job
bank of local and part time jobs back in Career Services. Classes were not
scheduled properly, higher level courses are scheduled before their
pre-req's or at the same time due to last minute schedule changes. Very
inconvienient, I may need an extra semester because courses were
rescheduled,especially for lab or computer lab space between April and
September and now are conflicted.
Comments:
The school is not very accomodating when classes, tests or exams must be
missed due to other commitments (ie: extra-curricular sports, coaching,
etc...) Deferals are very hard to come by as well as moderate extensions
on assignments when proper documentation from the national sports governing
body is presented.
Comments: The two most important things needed at university, are good
professors, who engage their students and make them want to learn, and
resources to help graduating students find a job with their new degrees.
On the former, the school needs more (I don't have classes with these
profs anymore, so I'm not trying to suck up here.) Dr. XXXXX's, Dr.
XXXXX's (Especially Dr. XXXXX, give him more classes to teach!), Dr.
XXXXX's these were three of the best prof's I've ever had at Carleton.
Their classes were fantastic, and they were always available for out of
class consultation.
On to the later. The services offered to graduates here at the
university is pathetic. A suggestion for the future would be that
graduating students be expected to meet with someone, who can tell them what
sort of jobs is available, what fields your degree has prepared you for, and
assist you in getting that job. Right now, one gets the impression that
when you graduate, the only thing you hear from the University is three
things. (1) Thank you for the money. (2) Good luck (3) Can we please have
a donation. Now if I had someone to help me get my foot in the door of the
working world after graduating, I would be saying "Thank you very much for
all your help, and who do I make the donation check out to?" But as it
stands, I'm more likely to be saying "Give me my diploma, and which way to
the unemployment line?" or worse, as the job my pilot friend predicts for
me, and everyone else in an arts degree, "Would you like fries with that?"
Comments:
I hope that this information is useful to your study.
Comments:A public education puts certain restrictions upon: student choices and cirriculum.A public education has certain ethnocentric and secular biases which limit the discussion and perspectives on the issues from one of choice to one of propaganda mixed with education.Without knowing the absolute answers to many of lifes most important questions such as:what is the goal of life, is there a God,is life one lifetime or many, is life ultimately unjust or not,or is the physical reality the only reality, professors take certain perspectives on these issues imbedded in their discussions of their course material and these biases influence the way that students look at these subjects.The entire western civilization is built upon certain assumptions in Christianity and a secular education further narrows the thinking towards a humanistic perspective on the issues, without either of them proving their perspectives in absolute terms.Food mixed with excrement is rather unappetisi!
ng.However, other options are not realistic either as a lack of funding for private education makes the alternative choices cost prohibitive.
Comments:
I have been generally satisfied with my education at Carleton. I have not been overwhelmed, however. If someone were to ask me if they should attend Carleton, I would not disuade them, however, I also would not be a fervent supporter for going to Carleton. My program is good, and the professors are learned, however, in my program (economics) I think there is too narrow a focus on the topic. I wish there were more dissenting professors. Most of the professor seem to toe the "rah-rah go free market" party line, with little, if any acknowledgement of other contrary views. I cannot speak for other disciplines. Among my friends here, most of them seem happy with their programs. I think that Carleton has an undeserved poor reputation, but I also think that is improving. The biggest improvement that could be done would be to remove the hierarchy of command. Van Loon is a quiet dictator, and the board of directors are "corporate whores" who seek to sell Carleton to Nortel. It is t!
ime for the university to be controlled by those it is supposed to serve, the students above all, and secondly the faculty. It is not here so that people like Van Loon can rake in $100,000+ a year. Of course, this will be written off as the naive ramblings of an uninformed undergrad. I have little confidence in the ability of students to have any direct affect of university policy, when following the "proper channels". That is what needs to be immediately changed.
Comments: -I do not feel that Carleton has any concern for me as an individual, as long as I pay my tuition. If I were to ignore that payment, I am sure that they would care quite a bit about me as an individual.
-I feel that the idea of mandatory advising would simply be a waste of thime for those of us who have figured out what we want from this school and our department. It is already optional, and if people are not taking advantage of this help, perhaps it is not necessary. It might be a good idea for those entering first year, but it should not be made mandatory for all students.
-I think that an earlier registration date would be wonderful. Most schools across Canada register by July, and it allows for students to feel at ease for the duration of the summer. An earlier date would enable me to feel settled for the upcoming year.
- I am quite satified with Carleton as a school, meaning specifically the professors and the class offerings. On a bureacratic level, however, I feel that Carleton needs to work on its public relations. Sometimes I feel as though you forget that WE are employing YOU. This survey, however, is a step in the right direction. Just be sure to listen to the responses!
Comments:
I am working on my second degree from Carleton University. I have been
here for five years and even still I am learning about new services at
Carleton that I never knew were available. I think that getting out
there and talking to the students when they first arrive at Carleton
(whether they are in their first year or are new transfers) is very
important to inform them of all of the services that they have available
to them, that they pay for and can benefit from.
The career services centre for example - I did not know that they will
help with resume writing until this year, when I was invited to an
alumni gathering through career services. This would have benefited me
throughout my studies in securing better part time jobs throughout my
studies.
I think that Co-op should be an option that is available in all
programs. I for example studied in the BIB program and did not have
that option. I would have gladly spent another semester (which I ended
up doing anyhow in order to fulfill credit requirements)
or another academic year in order to benefit from the experience of
co-op. I am now studying in the B.Com HR field and have come to realize
the benefits of co-op in the work world. I worked with students at HRDC
who were on co-op and they had many more benefits in terms of experience
from their job than I did as a part time employee. They got to
participate in the whole picture.
In terms of registering early - I think that it is beneficial to do it
earlier than later. The reason for this is that I am in strong support
of the idea of mandatory counseling for new students (especially) and I
am aware of the time constraints required to do this. Students have
already researched the general fields where they want to study by
December of the year before registration, and have been accepted by May
or June. They must confirm acceptance of the offer by mid June and are
ready to get started on picking a path of courses. By meeting with the
students they can come to realize what is ahead for them and can be
better prepared to manage the workload. Maybe they will realize that
this is not what they want to study after all. They may realize that
they can only handle 4 courses at a time or that they may have to
quit their part time job or apply for more funding. This can all be
done before the panic time of course change deadlines, stresses of
course work building up, etc. I know of 3 individuals myself who would
have benefited from this type of counseling beforehand, it would have
saved a lot of stress and headaches both for the students and the
administration.
In terms of my satisfaction with the registrarial services and the
school of business administration I think that overall it is pretty
good, and that the individuals work hard. In terms of communication
between the departments and teamwork to get the job done, I think that
they are doing a TERRIBLE job. In the past 4 months in particular I had
some registration problems and was switching from one program to another
(graduate to undergraduate). Every office that I went to said that they
couldn't help me and that I would have to go to another office (at the
opposite end of campus) and talk to somebody else. After finally
arriving at this new office, tired, frustrated and angry that the first
office would not help me, I was told that they couldn't help me either
and that I would have to go to a third office at the other end or
campus. Upon arriving there I was told to return to the first office.
These departments are (PAM registrars office, Graduate student's
registrar's office, undergraduate supervisor's office, office of
admissions, and many more). I understand that this was an extreme case,
but it took me 2 months to finally get this straightened out. I finally
got it sorted out, but I was so de-motivated in doing my school work
that it affected my grades because I didn't know throughout the whole
time if I would be receiving credit for all of my work or if I was doing
it for nothing. To top it off, my final grade did not show up on the
final grade report and I called (after patiently waiting until Jan 22)
and was told by the PAM registrars office that I would have to go to the
School of business office to have them send a letter to the registrars
office to tell them to post the grade. First of all I did not see why
this was my problem and why I should have to do the requesting of
letters. But I really didn't understand what the problem was in the
first place, all I wanted was my grade, why wasn't it posted. To top it
off, when I called the school of business they said that they don't do
what I needed and suggested that I get a letter from my Prof. and go
back to the registrars office. Upon going back to the registrars office
I was given a form by the helpful lady who took ownership of the problem
and sent it off for me, to the school of business. If this were a bank
(where I work) people would be screaming at me. I think that Carleton
University should be treating their students as customers and providing
them with the service that they deserve. My education is VERY important
to me and I trusted Carleton with it, now treat me like you value me, my
hard earned money, and the future reputation of Carleton that I can
contribute to. I will be an advocate for the quality education that
Carleton can provide, but honestly it's not worth it if you feel used.
I'll go to another university that works hard to earn my respect. I
still have faith in Carleton, that's why I am pursuing a second degree
here, and am finishing it here despite my numerous conflicts. The paper
system and communication between departments definitely needs to be
improved. I'm sure that I am not the only student who has been given
the run around.
Comments:Some Professors are amazing at teaching while otheres are just
here because they have to be...We should have more Professors that like to
teach and could affect the lives of the students positively.Also there
should be a lower interest rate for paying back OSAP because the high rates
lead to less potential students actully choosing education which hurts us
all in the long run.
Comments:
I think that mandatory advising is a good idea, especially for first year
students or students that transfered out of college. I found it difficult
to pick my courses and understand the requirements when I first came to
Carleton.
Comments: While I enjoy the classes at Carleton and find them very
interesting. I have also found that this school is too focused on large
class sizes and treating students as numbers. I know that in the universtiy
setting that money is tight and universities are feeling the financial
crunch but after my three years are done at this school I am planing on
heading to another school to possibly pick up my honnors status. I have
found that some policies at this school are very inefficient for the
student, and I am paying enough for an edicuation that I should be treated
with a little more respect then I have been while at this school.
Comments:It seems as thought their are departments that I am not aware of at
Carleton. I don't think that Carleton is giving engineers enough opportunity
to co-op. In schools like Waterloo the students are almost guarenteed a
co-op if they want to in their first year. Even though I am not in
Engineering, I know of lots of people who do not understand why Carleton
turns companies away from offering co-ops to students. I don't know maybe I
am misinformed.
Comments: the danger of using surveys for statistical purposes is that some answers may be given for different reasons than you think. For example, I only moderately agree with program specialization because I think it really depends on the program of study. Some of these questions are highly involved and may be better addressed/accurately representative if they were broken down into more specific questions! Good luck with the survey!
Comments: I came to Carleton's Political Science program as it was
reputable. After comparision and time I agree with its great reputation,
however I feel that it is underrepresented in the university, in terms of
resources, as it is a relatively flexable program. I worry that the
outstanding quality of the program will disintegrate in the future if the
department is not replenished with faculty and is more appropriately seated
in this university.
Comments: help and advice from my dept. Environmental Studies could be
better organized and provide more concrete advice.
Comments:
This survey is very worthwhile. I am glad I have been provided with the opportunity to fill it out. Should my opinions be part of the the majority, I should like to see some reforms MADE instead of just talked about. Please take special note of my answers to the first seven questions in the survey. I answered them as honestly as I could. I truly believe my answers to be correct. I should inform that it is my intention to be a teacher of the intermediate grades. Thanks again.
Comments: Carleton University as a post-secondary institute is behind in organizational standards compared to the rest of the world and even some institutes in Canada that put Carleton to shame. The departments are great and try to held you succeed. However, their seems to be a communication problem between the Faculty of P.A.M and the department. It has caused too many student having to do extra courses and stay in school longer when they did not desire to. This is a problem, a serious problem.
Comments: I like it here, though I wish I had a girlfriend. Mine left me
for her cousin, if that isn't nasty. Clean snow off of anywhere that there
are stairs. Don't think you can do much about the girlfriend situation but
the stairs woudn't be hard to clean.
Comments:
While I found that Carleton does help me in the theorectical part of my
program Criminology and Criminal Justice, it does not help me in the
practical area. The classes are based solely on theory foun in book,
from my psych classes, sociology classes and Law class.
There is a sort of internship program, but because of the way my credits
from Cegep were accreditted to me for this program it made it nearly
impossible for me to do the practical part, without spending either an
extra year here.
And without practical experience or a way to break into the field I
don't know how easy it is going to be to get a job in a related field
after I graduate.
Comments: Curious to know what conclusions will be made with this info and how we (the students) may access it.
Comments: Mandatory advising is a great idea, i wish it had of been
implemented when i started.
advising
is a great idea, i wish it had of been implemented when i
Comments: Carleton's number one problem is its administration followed by
its computer/information system techonolgy problems. The touchtone system is
HORRIBLE!! The school should spend some money and put design an on-line
registration system similar to the one at Queens University. Secondly, all
student records are out of sync. I am in the school of business, and when my
faculty downloads my schedule or marks usually it is not the same as the
registrar office which differs from the one the business office has. The
school needs to develop one system where all components talk to each other.
Secondly, I feel like a number at the school. I did my first degree at
Queens University and everytime you needed help with something or had to
call someone within the administration you could always expect to be
received by a human voice rather than an automated system which is what
CArleton has. Every time I try to speak to someone to find out information I
end being transfered or the person doesn't know the answer or I get a
recording. Thirdly, the library services need to be expanded. Reserves
should open 30 minutes before classes and stay open later for students.
Lastly, there is no where for students to congregate. Being a 4th year
business student almost all of my assignments are in groups. We need a place
to meet. In the past we used to all meet in Loeb Lounge, however after the
regrettable sale of the space to some outside company, Carleton students
have no place to work. In the library you have to be quiet, in the cafeteria
it is too loud and not comfortable. A space should be allocated where there
is enough room to study, and meet. The room should be designed to be
comfortable ie..build in couches and a coffee place like Starbucks.
Comments: It would be helpful to know who will be using the data gathered
by the survey. Although you do say it is confidential you do not say much
about who or are or why you are doing this. I am even somewhat reluctant to
send this back and to answer honestly since so little information is
provided . . . however, I am curious.
Comments: more computer labs needed
easier ways to print
one id card good for all....no copy card
lower tuition and fees!!!!!
lower book costs!!!!!
Comments:
I've applied for winter graduation (& passed my last courses in December),
so the questions at the beginning of section E are not applicable.
Comments:
I think mandatory advising, at least at some point in
your program would be helpful.
Comments: This school sometimes makes me sick to my stomach, but I'll never get out of it unitl I graduate, so I guess I'll just have to live with it. Go Carleton....
Comments:
You will notice that I made a distinction between the university caring
about me and the profs. My opinion is that administration cares only
about the money I pay. The suggestion of Academic advisors second
guessing my course selection I consider an insult. Early registration is
a good idea, because I want to start planning for the next year early,
and in August I might not be near a touchtone phone. Also I am only
taking ITV classes so the questions about my friends/social life at CU I
based on the 97/98 year, so is every question about on campus services
because I haven't there since. The factor that matters most to me is that
tution stops going up so much. Cheers
Comments:
Hmmm, where do I start.
First of all, just to let you know, I don't mean to insult anyone
personally. Thanks to Carleton, I've become the bitter, sarcastic,
obnoxious person who may go postal at any time.
The bureacracy at this school is disgusting. I get passed around at
least 3 times to different places simply because no one has any idea
what they're doing and/or simply don't want to deal with me. When I ask
a question to 3 different offices in the Administration, I get 3
different answers, all of which are usually wrong. I don't understand
how I can pay full time fees if I take only 4.5 courses instead of 5,
but when I go to get a printout of my full-time status to go get a bus
pass photo, I get told that I'm not really a legitimate full-time
student and therefore cannot get a printout. Isn't that convenient?
When it comes to Carleton taking my money, I'm full time, but when it
comes to my benefitting from this already unfair setup, I get a big
steaming bowl of jack. WAIT. It gets better. After getting the
printout refused by the Registrar's Office, I make my way to Robertson
to complain, yet, low and behold, I'm considered full time because the
computer system didn't have the updated information of my dropping a
course. That's quality.
My CC.CCC teacher just sent an e-mail virus to 30 or more students who
asked questions about an assignment yesterday.
I come to school and low and behold my lock's been cut off, and was
told to go report the $2.99(+TAX) lock to the Campus Police because the
CTTC didn't want to deal with me and thought that it was appropriate to
waste everyone's time, money and resources. Explain to me why
Carleton insists on charging everyone a $35 student levy fee that the
school doesn't need and uses as an excuse to take advantage of lazy,
procrastinators, ignorant, but mainly uninformed students. 99% of
students don't know that they can get that money back. I was lucky
enough to notice the ad in The Charlatan, because I happen to be one of
the 100 or so people who are desperate enough to read one of the
thousands of copies that isn't being used to sop up the urine in the
tunnels. I mean REALLY. Whose idea was that, and how do they sleep at
night?
I've almost gotten trapped in the delapitated rusty box that's
affectionately known as an "elevator" in Southam Hall.
I get brainwashed by ads in the bathroom when I'm on the toilet.
My friend was marked "absent" from an exam and got a zero, despite the
fact that she was sitting right in front of me. Apparently there's a
Twilight Zone somewhere in the Gym.
I get mass e-mails all the time about completely useless, irrelevant
things all of the time, but when someone finally hacked into the CHAT
system to send an informative e-mail that at least 50% of students
appreciated about an upcoming event at Oliver's, the student was
practically flogged for it.
Wasting my time sending me an e-mail about a course being offered in
the summer. That's just fine and dandy, not to mention mighty useful,
considering that I'm already REGISTERED for that course and going to
that class.
The tunnels smell like urine. And that's on a good day.
I've almost gotten run over umpteen times by psychotic maintenance men
on those golf carts. I guess the "STOP" signs are optional, or maybe
the bright yellow colour blinds the golf cart drivers so that they can't
actually see the word "STOP" written on it. Because those huge signs
are really hard to miss.
Spending $280,000 on concrete and brick at the school's entrance.
Could there BE a worse way to spend my money? I think not.
The lovely day that none of the toilets in Southam Hall flushed, since
there was no running water for over 10 hours, and the toilets in the
Herzberg building were in perma-flush mode. Is there no happy medium
that can be reached in which ALL the toilets flush?
Beaver Foods gave Erik Smith appendicitis, I'm sure of it.
The Charlatan's Voicebox doesn't print what people call in, because we
all care about James Pratt being hot.
CC.CCC. No one should be subjected to Intermediate Microeconomics.
The little booklet entitled "Carleton Survival" should be called "Use
The Lube". You can't go a day at this school without getting fucked up
the ass.
Comments: I would like to recommend that your professors, especifically in philosophy, politics, etc. concentrate more on helping students discover their own interpretation rather than put their own interpretation into their mouths. I know that some of this cannot be avoided but it is very difficult to direct your thoughts when three different views from three different professors concern the same thinker or writer. Rather concentration should be made on justification of own beliefs than regurgitating the beliefs of the professor. A second comment would be regarding your commerce program. The commerce program may want to consider the fact that there is very little opportunity given for students to direct their studies to non-commerce topics. I do not know how you could accomodate this but the students coming out of your program may be trained but not very worldly of the society we live in and the thoughts within it
Comments: I would like to take this opportunity to say that the PAM advisors were
absolutely ignorant to my program of study. When sent there by
my professeurs for advice, I was told by the advisor that "I know
nothing about that but i guess you could do this". I am a journalism
student, and I realize this is a small, specialized school, but these
are the academic advisors who are suppose to be giving me advice
on what my program requires, and they are openly ignorant to what
to it. The advisor in question did not try to find anymore answers or
point me in the right direction of someone who may be able to
answer questions. I was just suppose to assume that her guess of
how the program worked was right and base all my future decisions
on that. I also want to say that it was particularly difficult to get an
appointment with someone to tell me they didn't know anything.
Comments: I chose to attend Carleton because I applied as a Journalism major. I have since changed my major to a combined honours, one of which is Mass Communications. I have found that the professors who have taught me since my enrolment last September are either unfit to teach or are extremely callous. The same can be said for many of the TAs in those fields. Particularly Prof. XXXXX and Prof. XXXXX, both of these individuals lack the teaching skills needed to guide students.
A doctorat does not qualify a person to teach. I strongly suggest that
Carleton incorparate a mandatory teacher's certificate of some sort in
order to weed out unqualified applicants. I understand that there is
presently a shortage of professors here however, by hiring second rate
(or worse) teachers Carleton's reputation as "Last Chance U" will only
become greater and more deeply imbedded in the minds of both parents and
prospective students. If it wasn't for the friends I have made at
Carleton I would have transfered to the University of Ottawa and I am
certain that my feelings are shared by many others in and outside of my
field of study.
Comments: I entered into the Human Rights combined degree hoping it would
offer me practical and critical analytical skills. This has not been the case
in three of the required courses (CC.CCC, CC.CCC and CC.CCC) I have the same
text books/readings and am learning the same material of International Human
Rights Discourse. This is not acceptable, I am not paying close to $5000 to
take the same class 3 times. I find that the head of the Human Rights program
has little to no person skills and is extremely unfriendly and unwilling to
accept recommendations to allow for me to get a job in the field at the end.
Both the Law and Human Rights departments have a lack of enthusiasm for going
out side of academia and letting professionals know what we are capable of,
what these degrees mean. At one point the head of Human Rights asked me if I
would pursue a placement with Amensty inorder for his department to receive
recognition of the program. I am not a guinea pig and I should not be doing
the departments work for them. As well it seems that both of my departments
think that it is funny to schedule all classes for one year (i.e. all 300
level) in one semester at the same time on the same day, when they do this it
is impossible to plan a schedule that both suits my work and volunteer work as
well as complete my degree requirements. The departments are in charge of
organizing an education for their students however this seems to be a problem.
Comments: survey's like this are a good way of
keeping in touch with students wants and needs. we are
rarely consulted in wide reaching methods like this.
it would also be useful to have surveys for specific
programs, as many of my decisions were directly
related and influenced by my particular program. i
hope the results are considered carefully and shared
with students..
Comments:
1. You ask a few questions about employment after graduation, but nothing
about grad school. I do not plan to seek employment after completing my
degree at Carleton, I am going to continue on and work on my MA.
2. I do feel that I am getting a good education at Carleton. I wish
there were more psychology classes offered in focused areas like at
Ottawa U (ie, Psychology of Adolescence, Death and Dying, Interpersonal
Relationships).
3. I came to Carleton from Bishop's University on probation. I was
told part way through my first year at Carleton that I had to have a
meeting with an advisor in the Faculty of Social Sciences. To be
honest, that was the biggest was of time. I was getting straight A's and
A+'s. I don't think that it was necessary for me to meet with this
person (XXXXXX). I sat in this her office for half an hour. She wasn't
clear on my program, couldn't really understnad what I as telling her, gave
me poor advice, which would have complicated my program. I think that
advising people in need (not those geting top grades who have a plan) on their
course of study is important, but I think that more competent people are
necessary to do this effectively.
4. I have asked for guidance from the women who work in the
department of psychology office. Of all the psych students I have ever talked
to, I have yet to meet one person that is not afraid of these women.
They are mean and unpredictable (you never know if they will be kind or
will refuse to help). They provide the minimum answer to questions and
don't seem to care at all.
5. I have had positive experiences with the department of sociology. I
was concerned about a grade and the chair of the department (XXXXX) took the
time to meet with me, listen to my concerns and give me
concrete advice.
>
Comments: Carleon is remarkably underrated. I am very pleased with Carleton.
Comments:secretarial staff in departmental office are rude and rarely helpful.
Parking is ridiculously expensive.
I have a child and Carleton does little to accomodate my special needs.
Carol Fleck is an incredible asset to this university.
CUSA is out of control.
Comments: You should be able to register for classes online (eg UPEI); It's
much easier to design a printable timetable this way. Also, The phone system
is lousy. Early registration would be fantastic! Academic Advsiors shouldn't
be mandatory, but should have to contact all students to see if they need
help, have questions/concerns. This would make it seem that the School
genuinely cared about it's students.
Comments: I have always felt comfortable at Carleton, I enjoy the casual
atmosphere and qualified professors. Carleton gave me a chance that other
universities would not and I have succeeded here. I think that any services
that can be offered to students should be and I support all initiatives to
make it a better, more comprehensive, and more interesting place to study.
The only reason i came here was for free board with my brother. I wish I
hadn't come. I am in the film studies program. Stupid me, I didn't research
the program and by late in second year discovered that there was only one
practical application course - CC.CCC - among the only film courses I've
gotten a solid A in so far. I work the hardest and the do the best when my
attention is kept. I genuinely thought this was a half-theory, half
practical-applications program. I don't want to be an elitist critic or
theorist - i want to make films. three years and I've taken only one
half-year course that has taught me anything even remotely useful.
The department is in shambles (both physcially and educationally). We
couldn't arrange for legendary filmmaker F. Wiseman to come and talk, but
hey four years ago Jim Cameron came and got an honourary degree - this
angered both film students and profesors. Nothing was done. The school
wanted money and press - they did not receive either. We are a glorified
bird-course to the other disciplines - how to dissaude people from this
view? Maybe expect us to make films? To write films? No, that would be too
helpful, resourceful and fun - so, impose harsh, sterile and brutal 'theory'
courses with professors like XXXXX (CC.CCC has caused five Honours BA
students to drop to a regular BA because of the regiments of the course).
Our screens are torn, our projectors weak, many of us rellished in CC.CCC,
almost religiously. It was a pleasure going to class, an absolute pleasure
seeking that A. So, why can't we have more of the same, god forbid a whole
program? (PS I would pay the $12,000 over again for such an opportunity -
that should be reason enuf for the dean to take it into consideration)
Journalism has cameras / editing decks / practical documentary courses, and
we had to beg for the rickety, scratched 1994 models from IMS. No money for
a practical department? Those new $2 million gate-signs at the bronson
entrance are really really useful. Now we can tell where we're going to
school...at the ST. Pat's entrance no less! A constant frustration!
The next month will determine whether I leave or not. I am riding a very
thin string with XXXXX - I may wind up really liking her, but right now she's
just elevating an alredy tremendous work / school / family care schedule I
really don't need intensified.
Comments:i wish carleton university would give more consideration to the
students. classes are too large, and not enough room for all students
registered so some end up being kick out. CC.CCCb.
The student council do not know what the students want, so they end up
making un supported decisions, i.e cupe 4600 stike vote. not enough in
class interactions with the professors, cos too many people in the
class. office hours of professors are too limited.
Comments: I went to Carleton strictly because it was close by where I
live & could go part-time while working full-time. Unfortunately certain
prof's seem to think & believe that school is our 1 & only focus &
bl;untly state that! Prof. XXXXX in the Soc/Anth dept was the absolute
worst!!! Her accent made it difficult to understand her & when you'd ask
for clarification she quite often snapped at that student. Once she even
had the nerve to say to a girl with a french accent "What's wrong with you
I can't understand you, don't you know how to speak English?" (Iwant to
add that myself & others could understand this girl perfectly & felt that
Abdo needed a hearing aid!) Myself & others in
the class decided we wouldn't ask her any more questions, we'd wait & ask
our T/A who was fabulous. With Abdo's attitude of school & only school,
then I wouldn't be getting a university education, because the reason I'm
not in debt is because I've been paying as I went & could afford.
I think the carreer counselling is a good idea because I've
learned more from my fellow students than any other place. Also because I
go part-time I arrive for a class & leave when it's done because I must
get home to bed because I work nights. Thus I don't see or haer about my
items of possible interest. Such as our tuition rebate that I've only
received twice because I was on campus & it wasn't broadcast on the ITV
message board.
I have used the Paul Menton Centre because of my non-visible
disability. They have been absoulutely wonderful & I have found that
with the exception of 1 who stated that he didn't like the PMC, the rest
were very understanding & helpful. This disability was fairly new to me
Comments: THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE CARLETON MORE
APPEALING IS IF ADMIN DID NOT SEE ME AS A NUMBER.
Comments:
I feel that carleton needs to have more professors who are understanding of those with disabilities, and possibly taking some sensitivity courses. Professors, need to be more open to dissabilities, especially the ones that you can't always see. Small classes would also be better. However, the Paul Menton Center is very useful. There should be better sound systems in the theatres and closed captioning on the ITV tapes.
Comments: Carleton is an amazing school. I had the marks to get into
Queens, but I chose to come stay in Ottawa. The problems that do exist
however, are in immediate need to attention. Physically, the school needs
work done. And why is it that some "elite" programs (BPAPM, ect) receive a
tremendous amount of attention and privilege, while other programs are
lacking for basic supplies?
Comments:
i am curretnly enrolled in the College of the Humanities and really appreciate the care that is given us here, especially in terms of professor accessibility, quality of education, social atmosphere, and personal office aid. I do not know what it is like in the rest of the university.
Comments:
We need better equipment to better our studies. ie:printers that work
Comments:Programs should be expanded as to offer a more practical use for all the theory that is taught. Graduating students feelmore and more cheated of their time spent in University and feel they require practical skills and thus go on to college to gain this experience. Also professors who teach classes should not be aloud to use books that they have written, because this firstly intimidates the students and also gives the impression of a subjective point of view being taught in the classroom. also the crirteria of having to have a certain distribution of grades as departemental policy leaves a bad taste in students' mouthes because in gives the impression of not being graded fairly. Career choices should be explained more clearly when a student decides to enter a certain program. Also this notion that a pass degree is somehow less than an honours degree is ridiculous. An honours degree only permits you to move on to grad!
uate school, there is nothing that much more important that one learns from 3rd to 4th year.
Comments: Carleton needs to improve it's student services and work on bu
ilding it's reputation as this will increase the amount of students and r
evenue into the university, allowing it to expand.
Carleton needs to improve it's student services and work on buildi
ng it's reputation as this will increase the amount of students and reven
ue into the university, allowing it to expand.
Comments:
My program is International Business, therefore Carleton was my only choice,
so my opinions may be a little more biased than those who are in programs
that are also offered by other universities. In general however, I have been
pleased with my education at Carleton and the support services I received
from the School of Business during my year abroad.
Comments: My experience with Professors at Carleton so far has been OK, for the most part. I believe that any addition to the web-based information will be very beneficial. I have tried to get help from advisors with regard to courses and minors, however I have found that it is impossible to find anyone who will talk to me. I have gotten nothing but a runaround from everyone that I was sent to. I was sent from one department to another, only to encounter someone else who could not answer my questions. I can't describe my frustration in this respect. As far as debt, the price of books and tuition make it almost impossible to attend University anymore. I work and have a full timetable. This hectic schedual makes it nearly impossible to dedicate as much time as I should be to my studies. I struggle through however, in the hopes that I will eventually be better off than I am now. My debt load is overwhelming. I only hope that I can afford to continue my studies.>
Comments: two things: 1. It is imperative that tuition not be increased. I
have several friends who were forced to drop out due to tuition increases.
2. The amount of advertising at Carleton is sickening. I go to Carleton to
learn about my course of study to prepare myself for my life and future
employment. I hope to emerge having learned something of true value not
simply chanting the mantra of the consumer. "Coke, GM,zoom,beaver ect..."
Comments: i transferred to carleton for sake of convenience and have been
very dissappointed with what i have expereinced. Since i have been at
another school, i have something to compare carleton with. It ranks quite
sadly compared to my past school. One major complaint is that carleton
appears to be a factory...it jsut churns out people with a degree. i know
that if i do (slim chance) continue at carleton, i will leave the school
with no pride and desire to contribute back to the school. I understand that
it is a large school but it is very impersonal. If university is going to be
such a large investment of time, money and effort, i would appreciate
something much more friendly and a situation where i am not merely an id
number. The staff that i dealt with during my transfer was not helpful in
the least bit. I did not even hear about my credits transferring until mid
august. That is not acceptable. I had a tough time registering and the staff
of the poli sci dept made no attempt to aid me in the new setting i was
adapting to.
Comments: I was very disappointed with the class sizes this year. Third year
classes shouldn't be 100-200 sized. It's very distracting. Parking is a huge
issue. There is none. Books are way too expensive. ITV videos are never
avaiable and the system is not very user friendly. It's expensive, two
dollars to take the video home for the nite or wait 2hrs at the school to
watch it for another 3hrs. I don't have this much time and no reservations
are allowed. I live out of the cable area and depend largely on these
services. I paid the extra 100.00 dollars for the tapes to you service and I
am sitting here 7 days from my mid-terms and have not recieved one lecture
tape, due to mix up. I am screwed for these mid-terms. I am very frustrated
with school and very glad to be out of here soon.
Comments:
I feel that the academic standards at Carleton are too low and the
choices are too restrictive. As a graduating history student my four years
at Carleton have been characterised by extremely limited program course
choices. Furthermore the courses that are taught are usually survey or
survey type courses that do not explore the full depth of a given
subject. The grading structure is composed in such a manner that getting
good grades is not always reflective of consistant effort or even an
understanding of the course.
Comments: I attend the College of the Humanities and am very pleased with
their services. The profs are always available, we socialize with them
often and they are concerned with our well-being.
It is not always so with profs from other departments. I have taken many
English courses and sometimes the profs are not interesting and are busy and
not available.
I have not fully decided what I will do with my future but because of the
College, I have many choices. I feel that they have equiped me well to
continue in academia and I believe that is what I plan to do after taking
some time off to travel. I have no regrets concerning the College.
Comments: It was a last minute decision to stay at home and go to Carleton
- a decision I don't regret
Comments:
I think Carleton University has some serious problems it needs to address
before they become incapacitating to the University's ability to function
adequately and attract new staff and new students. With the increase in
tuition rates, and a greater financial burden being placed upon the
individual students' shoulders, there is also an increased expectation for
quality in the institution. However, this increase in quality is certainly
not a reality. The past 10 years has shown a widening divergence between
the expectation of a quality education and the reality of a cash-strapped
school. The student pays more and more each year, and gets less and less
for that money. I personally see larger and larger classes, less access to
Professors, less help from T.A's, less maintenance being done on the
buildings, and more and more uncomfortable classrooms. One of my
classrooms, for instance, in an effort to cram in as many people as
possible, has bolted desks to the floor with only about 20cm between each
row of desks. I can barely sit in these seats, let alone move around to let
other people through to the other seats. And this is only one example. I
could name many more instances of such a blatant display of dehumanizing
conditions. Hail the almighty dollar, and nevermind the cramps in your
legs! I have also seen a reduction in the amount of courses offered each
year, and I have absolutely zero flexibility in my department for class
times. If there is a credit I require for my degree, I'd better be
avbailable for that class, because it is only offered once a year, at one
time. And only half or less of the courses available in the coursebook are
avaible in the course schedual. This is not indicative of greater choice
and quality in my education. If there are money problems, then the
University should make use of the broadening field of electronic learning
posibilities. Offer web classes, tutorials and conferences. Give the
students choice over ITV material. And evaluate the professors much more
stirctly - some are excellent, but some are considerably less so. Offer 3
semesters per school year instead of 2 plus summer courses which are never
useful. Even if I want to take summer classes, inevitably I wil not have
access to the course I need. I would gladly go to school 12 months a year
if it were seriously offered, probably taking a lesser courseload so that I
can work more hours at my jobs. If I am paying more and more of the
percentage of the cost for my education, then I think that I should have
more control over how I get that education.
Comments:
I have found the administrative, financial and registrarial systems sloppy,
inefficient and ineffective. Counter persons are usually polite, but the
fact that the registrar's offices are separated into five branches is
ridiculous and makes getting anything done very sluggish. The late fee for
tuition not paid by the end of August is also ridiculous, and unfair.
Finally, the lack of library resources and also the inability to register
and change courses over the web is ridiculous. I have been to two other
universities which were both much better than Carleton (I am only here
because my spouse works in Ottawa). I would never recommend Carleton to
anyone. It is a small and second-rate institution.
Comments:Carleton has offered a balanced experience for me but I feel
that tuition is to high thus forcing me to work and push away time to
study and enjoy all the opportunities of Carleton. As well, professors
don't recieve students very well until third year. This allows students
who are in need of help to slip through the cracks. Especially when
advisors fail to pursue students in need when reviewing transcripts.
Comments: There needs to be DRAMATIC changes in the admissions dept.
Their attitude is terrible and very unaccommodating. If you phone to ask a
question you feel like you are imposing on them. There should also be more
Academic Advisors.....who know what they are talking about, available to
students. I would like to see an academic advisor as a service offered by
BECAMPS. I am a mature student and many of us have different needs than
those just out of high school or college.
Comments:
Biggest Complaint: Not enough space available in the classes we need to
take.
Comments:
Personally, I feel that we as students are paying too much for tuition. We would all like to get an education but unfortunately it is very difficult and not necessarily available to everyone due to the high price. Many students have student loans or lines of creidt in order to be able to pay the tuition, and on top of that we have to work in order to pay for those loans which consequently leaves less time for us to study and focus on our studies.
Comments: It is completely unnecessarily to offer mandatory academic
advising. The university environment is not intended to hold a student's
hand through the process of getting their degree, rather, the university
should make services and programs available to students. It is then up to
the student to chose whether to take advantage of the programs or not. It
would be a very sad day for Carleton to offer the same types of services as
a college (e.g.: mandatory advising) because students chose whether to
attend college or university for both the type of education they will
receive and the type of way they will be treated (read that students who
attend university are more independent in their decision making. For
example, choosing their own course of study, planning their own class
schedule etc. as compared to college students).
Early scheduling is not a good idea because it forces students to chose
their course schedules too far in advance. The student has less time to
plan course schedules if decisions have to be made for June rather than for
August. In addition, the student's summer work term has barely begun by
June; requiring students to make course choices for the upcoming year before
they have the benefit of their work experience is detrimental to the
students' experience. For example, a student might be taking sociology in
school but gets a summer job in a marketing department of a major high-tech
firm (through pure luck of the job search). This student discovers that
their true love is marketing and wishes to take some beginner marketing
courses, maybe finishing with a minor in business or switching over from
sociology to a pure commerce, concentration marketing degree. If the
student is forced to chose their sociology courses in May for June
registration this is not a benefit to the overall learning inherent in being
a student. In other words, the student experience includes the summer work
terms that are available to students for no other reason than that they are
students. In my experience a great deal of learning goes on during the
summer work terms (saving up for school/budgeting, working in an office or
outdoors, etc) and allows a student to evaluate their chosen degree program
and whether to alter their educational program based on practical
experience. Early scheduling is also not a good idea because it requires a
student to commit to class times far in advance of knowing (or having an
idea of ) their fall work schedule. Most students work part-time in
addition to taking classes and June if far too early to tell an employer
what one will be able to work from September to December.
With respect to Professorial Advisement, I have had none from my major
faculty (Law) but have visited with the School of Business (my minor)
several times and have been quite happy with the results. Pam Norris in
particular is very helpful.
Lastly, I have been highly pleased with the service given by the faculty of
Public Affairs and Management. The front desk staff is excellent
(knowledgeable and courteous) and the academic advisors (in particular XXXXX)
are clear, concise and present all options to students so that
students may make informed choices. I am very glad to deal with this
faculty, when I was a student is Arts and Social Sciences I was VERY unhappy
with the service received at the front desk (they are rude and unhelpful).
Thank-you for including me in the survey.
Comments:
Stop giving half of my tuition money to engineering! I am supposed to be paying for my education--not someone else's. If I had been aware that Carleton university underfunds its arts departments in favour of its engineering program I would have seriously considered attending another university.
Comments: Registering earlier than August-September would not be a good
choice since students only get their marks from the summer semester early
September. Keep in mind that I was an ITV student the whole time and
didn't really require any assistance from professors.
Comments:
Tuition and book costs are ridiculous.
More bursaries, grants, scholarships, or whatever need to be given out, I'm in
my second year and 20 000 in debt. I very often think that I should not have
come back to school, but now I'm trapped because if I only go part-time I will
have to start paying it back. Most bursaries should not be given to people who
live with mom and dad and don't have to work to survive.
Comments: I have always felt that Carleton spends a lot of money on services that are not used by the majority of students. In addition, it seems that some programs are given special treatment and more support than others, regardless of the amount of tuition that is paid by students in the respective fields of study.
Comments: Carleton seems to provide the theory needed for employment, but
lacks the hands on, practical side I've seen in Algonquin college programs
Comments: Some questions I have answered but am unsure about especially about my career. I am unsure as to whether I will get a job in my field or not. I have not been given information about this.
Carleton has the best distance education program I've seen.
The flexibility of ITV/tapes-to-you has made it possible for
me to take more courses at once. I have taken courses at Queen's
University in Kingston (where I live), but prefer to take courses
through Carleton.
XXXXX in the Criminology Department has been incredibly
helpful to me by answering my many stupid questions. She certainly
deserves some recognition for her professionalism.
Comments:
I am very disappointed with my education at Carleton. I feel that the Arts
programs provide extremely little feedback with which I can correct my
mistakes and improve over time. I am not very surprised that TAs and
Professors cannot give detailed marking on assignments and (multiple choice)
exams due to the overwhelming class sizes. I do not feel that I have
improved or advanced over my two years at Carleton.
I utterly regret with my decision to come to Carleton over Queens University
and the University of Waterloo. I feel that Carleton bribes naive
impoverished students with the promise of a scholarship and then makes it
virtually impossible to keep that scholarship by keeping grades down. My
money would have been better spent on a "real", rewarding education rather
than the hope of saving a few thousand dollars on my student loan.
Comments: students unfortunately appear to be very apathetic at Carleton
which I feel is a direct relection on the lack of enthusiasm shown by staff.
Most professors are somewhat interested in what their students are doing but
the support and office staff are, in my experience except for a few
exceptions, terribly rude and could not care less about the students. I
think everyone who works on Carleton's campus should be actively involved(or
at least enthusiastic) in what is going on.
As for the education, I am pleased with my program but feel that different
programs within departments get neglected while others are given all the
money.
As for advertising on campus...well, we know how most students feel about
that...
Comments: I feel that better academic advising is in order to help us make sure we are on the right track, ie. That the advisors can answer our questions. More information regarding various aspects of our programs, ie thesis's or classes in fourth year. I feel that there should be more information regarding graduate programs available at the school from various other schools and better postings of certain deadlines, ie. Graduation, necessary graduate program tests that are required. I feel that certain departments should be able to help the students who are unaware of their options or how to go about getting to know about them and what is required to be able to meet the requirements for these options. I also believe that there should be better social events set up in first year for those students who are living off of campus in who do not know any body can participate in and not cost them 70 or 80 dollars during frosh week as some people can't afford it.
Comments:
Manditory Councelling should not be inmplemented; but the opportunity should be there.
Comments: Most of my professors are good, a few are great, unfortunately I
have had a few too many which are down right rude, impersonal, disrespectful
and honestly strange (this professor gave me the creeps). I really
appreciate the evaluation forms we get to fill out for the professors. But
I do not get them if I am an ITV student for that class. I feel I should
still be able to give my evaluation-do I not pay the same tuition?!!
Carleton is better then a lot of other Universities(specially Ottawa U-Very
hard to find anything out there) as far as being more personal and helpful
but still needs work. In the admissions office (other offices just want to
get you off the phone or away from the desk) I only once had a person speak
to me respectfully and give me the time of day. I was so amazed by her
service I sent her flowers. She saved me a lot of money -I found out later
she was a retired person volunteering her time which explained the good
service. For question 32 I thought I should mention that is taking 1.5
credits a semester since I can no longer afford full time schooling since
tuitions are far too high and on top OSAP won't fund me even $1500 to get me
scrapping by.
Thank you for your time!
Comments:
I feel that Carleton University is a good place to attend classes. I
feel comfortable in the classroom settings, and feel as though there isn't a
huge pressure. Maybe, that is part of the problem. If the classes are too
laid back, then the reputation suffers, and so does the quality of work.
Since this is my chance to be vocal I will. I wish to see more of the
same classes at more times throughout the week, with subsequent better
selection and availability for a better schedule. [I realize this may be
impossible].
I would appreciate if the Academic Advisors were better prepared with a
list of jobs which they could find relevant to the field of study which I
have chosen. I visited an Academic Advisor on possible jobs in the future,
and he simply said to finish my classes and then worry about it in third
year. Giving me his card doesn't solve the problem of anxiety about my
professional future.
I am really really 'desiring' the Mandatory Advising that would have to
be done. This is a great way for me to feel assured about the year, and that
I am moving on the right path. Right now, I am finishing up second year, and
I am not sure about my future prospects, in terms of what this degree can
get me, honours, or no honours. Besides policing, I might want to go into
law. But, what are the marks I would need to get? What courses are mandatory
for the LSAT? What is the process for the LSAT? Does the LSAT only take one
year? What is law school all about? How many years does it take to finish
law school? How do you become part of a firm?
These are all the kinds of questions which spring into my busy little
mind, and if I could get them answered that would be great.
As a mature student many of the questions were not applicable but there was
no allowance made for such answers.
Comments:I am a student with a disablity, and therefore, have been
attending carleton for some thime longer than most students...i started in
1991, and after i lost my eyesight, went to part-time, and have been so ever
since...i ahve reccommended many people in my outside life to go to
Carleton, or at least university...with some of the centers on campus,
especially the Paul Menton Center, Carleton has been very helpful at
allowing me to learn....special mention should also be mad of Colleen
Fulton, the office cordinator of D.I.S., my field of study...ALL of the
proposed changes sound good to me...
Comments:
I have been to see the academic advisor in my department and have found that
the answers were less then satisfying. On a number of occaisons, she does
not have the answers and has said that I must find the answers myself. They
were simple questions, which I thought she may have the answers in a file
however, she did not. If I had known that I would not have wasted her time
or mine with the questions. As a result of this poor service, I try to
avoid having to ask any questions of the advisor or limit it to email.
Comments:
I find it's very difficult to work any sort of regular shift at Carleton. I have classes that begin at 8:30am, 4:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm -- it's very difficult to maintain any sort of regular schedule.
It would also be good to have some 'work rooms' for people who need a
place to use telephones, plug in a laptop, etc. during the course of the
day, to keep in touch with work.
Comments:
It is sincerely unfortunate how poorly I have been treated here at
Carleton, I spent my first two years defending the reputation of this
school, and now I realize there is nothing to defend. We are falling behind
in all aspects, or classrooms are old and out dated, our profs are
embarassing, some are as young as the students, and Carleton grads at that.
We don't seem to be willing (or able ) to attract professional teachers, The
School of Business is an excellent faculty , but if you do not wish to be an
accountant or a government employee, no one really wants or is able to teach
you anything intriging or usefull. It is embarassing to say that I am
receiving higher education here, because this school has taught me how to
provide the minimal effort and just get by.
We have nothing to be proud of .
I f this is a serious survey, that will lead to results feel free to release
my responses, and I would be more than willing to contribute further so that
maybe change can happen. I sincerely hope that I can help. So one day my degree from Carleton
might even mean something.
Comments: Administration has too much RED TAPE. Transcripts are more than
confusing.
Comments: although I don't currently have student debt, I feel that I will
incur an amount of debt by the time I graduate. My concern with Carleton
University is that tuition be kept at a low level so that student debt can be
avoided.
Comments:CARLETON IS A GREAT SCHOOL!!BUT UNIVERSITIES NEED TO CHANGE
CURRICULUM (LESS THEORY, MORE HANDS ON)
Comments:I find that many professors give out their marks based on what
they have been told they average should be (ie c+) rather than the deserved
marks. I dont think that there should be a highest average possible for a
course. I think that depending on the course and the size of the class the
marks can vary greatly.
I have also had several professors who obviously didn't care about their
students marks. For example a large criminology class where the professor
received numerous complaints as did the TA after an exam that he refused to
discuss further. Complaints were made to department heads in this specific
case and eventually we all had our marks raised.
I think that the academic advising meeting should be set up before
registration and that the first time you register you should be able to do
it with the councillor. I know that in my first year this would have helped
alot.
Comments: I don't like the touch-tone mark-check system. I think that
marks should be available on the Internet, since I do not remember the exact
code for my course and section in order to determine my marks. It is not
user-friendly and it is confusing. Mailing marks out would also be
acceptable.
Note that to question 38, Carleton was my second choice; however, it turns
out to have been the better choice. I was originally at University of
Ottawa and I found that University of Ottawa had very little that was
preferable. About the only thing I can think of that I liked better about
UofO was their mark-check system...you could check your marks on the 'Net or
wait until they were mailed to you...ideal for someone who lives off campus.
There should be more advertising to the students about the Career Office; I
didn't realize it existed until this survey, though now that I realize it's
there I feel stupid for not knowing. Regular posters in the tunnels might
be one idea; so might good ads in the Charlatan. A third idea might be mass
emailings to student accounts about major Career center events; that is one
of the few kinds of mass emailing I would read. *smiles*
Comments:
so here's what i think. i know carleton is an alright school...i mean its
not the best in canada...but for my program ,which is psychology, i really
like the course selection, the professors and the students who are in this
program. the one problem i do have with this program is the fact that there
isn't much career services. i want to go into clinical psychology and i want
to counsel people but i do not get the chance to take any practicum courses
until third year standing..and i may realize after taking on of those co-op
courses that i dont really want to do clinical psychology...now what do i do
i mean i've already spent 3 years of my time and 3 years of osap on this
degree that i dont know if i will really enjoy after graduation. i think
there needs to be more of a focus on practical application, i know the
theories inside and out but i would have no idea how to apply them in a
clinical setting, which owuld be very helpful when it comes down to having
some real life experience. and i know that carleton or any university for
that matter is more focused on learning to actually theories and less of a
focus on practical application in a real setting..which is what college
programs are for..but thats an important part of the graduated student being
able to get a job when he or she graduates from carleton. i mean we do need
a little more practical knowledge then one semester of like 40 hours of
co-op time. i really enjoy carleton as i mentioned earlier but i feel that
this could be improved. and the fact that up until i am in third year or
possibly 4th year the professors know me as a number...someone who as long
as i have paid my tuition they could care less....which is really harsh to
say i know but ask any student and i bet that the majority of them would
feel the same way...but i dont want to put words in their mouth. i like my
program, i have some good friends at carleton. and will continue here until
graduation. oh another thing why is there no clinical graduate program at
carleton...just wondering. i will look back at my time at carleton as
something worth while.
Comments: When will the result of the survey be
posted? Will the results be sent out?
Comments: I have had a very positive experience at Carleton. However, I
do not relate my potential opportunities available after school (career or
life goals) strictly to my education at Carleton. I currently volunteer,
work part time and I am involved with some extra curricular activities. So
although I have not benefitted directly from the services of the registrar's
office, advisors or career services, I'm sure many other people do.
Comments: I really like Carleton, and I also work on campus. I think the
proposed changes are all good ideas. Through work, I have spoken to several
first year students who don't know where to go for academic advising, so I
think making that more "user friendly" would be a great idea.
Comments:
I find that too many teachers are inexperienced and while I understand
that they must teach to gain such experience I feel new professors should
attend a seminar of some sort to give them and idea of what to do in the
class room. I do not want to be a guinea pig to see if a certain individual
can teach. I pay tuition to get a good education from a qualified
professional not an Ottawa U Grad student. Also, some professors seem to
feel that it is necessary to require students to purchase many of their
authored books. Is this not a conflict of interest? My, it must be nice to
have a captive (paying) audience/market to sell your multiple books. Some
of which turn out to be extremely repetitive.
Thank you.
Comments:
Carleton University needs to improve on its academic advising and the
promotion of some of its programs.
The advisors (and i don't mean to single them out,), but the ones at the PAM
office, have not once helped me, especially when i was switching from
international business to law...
and then when i was deciding on a double major, there was alos no advice of
substance offered...most of the time they didn't know anything about other
disciplines...
I wasn't very pleased with a protest that was held against a certain
professor in 1st year law either...we were pretty much ignored, and viwed at
as nuisances...
also, i've heard that the average mark that the law dept wants to keep law
marks at is a c....therefore if a student has a mark such as an Am, they
will probably be evaluated to see why they don't have a C
thanks..
Comments: Question 37???? Who could possibly answer that. I am able to
answer it somewhat because I have already worked in my field.
If the survey is looking for satisfaction overall there are good things about
carleton but one proffessor is the rudest person I ever met. I have
encountered more than 1 final that doesnt match what is covered in the
course. Does that happen elsewhere? If so then post-secondary education
contains alot of pitfalls put there for no reason. If you want to look at
burnout rates at carleton its not this junk about making chums take a look at
failure rates/ drop rates in the prerequisite courses, its criminal what some
professors get away with year after year. The answers you are looking for are
available to you in your database not in this survey
Comments:
Tuition increases are forcing many students to study part-time, or leave
university altogether. I would like to continue at Carleton, but it's a
pain having to face a tuition increase every year. I am considering moving
to another country where post-secondary education is free. My second
comment: I urge the university to provide more support for arts programs.
Comments:
I think Carleton has done a good job at working with what it has to provide
the best kind of education it can. I do believe a mandatory consultation
would increase the awareness of help lines and resources to students in
terms of academic planning. Any help would be welcome. Also, I think this
kind of intervention would help start students on solid ground. I hope to
see some activity in this regard.
Comments: Another main reason as to why I wanted Carleton was because it
was possible to register for classes through the telephone and this made it
possible for me to continue working in the summer and not take time off to
visit the university.
However I would just like to say that I think that the staff in the co-op
office could be more uniformly trained of their own policies and resources.
It is very frustrating for students to get several different answers for
things and not know which to follow! As well, the co-op office needs to
know more about the programs in FASS and PAM faculties so that they can
advise more effectively towards the various job opportunities that are
available to students. Overall I'm happy with the Academic program at
Carleton.
Comments: The most unsatisfactory aspects of a Carleton education are its
increasing class sizes and the costs of tuition and books. Carleton's
tuition has risen sharply over the past few years even as enrolment and
classroom crowding also seem to go up. Attending Carleton as a student
sometimes leaves the demoralizing impression of being a commodity, as we
spend so much money on education and yet remain a target for pervasive
advertising, exclusive vending contracts, and program cuts.
Comments:
Education I received in Carleton in the early years are mostly theory based
and quite a lot of it might not be able to convert those I'd learnt to real
life work environment. Examples are commerce students need to take
psychology which are not relevant for business careers. (What is the point
of learning how the brains and nervous system works? (We are not in medicine
school!?)
(Sociology is okay though) Also, CC.CCC, programming in VB, can not equip
students with basic PRACTICAL computer skills. It teaches VB programming,
but we know that VB won't get you anywhere in computer related jobs and it
might be better to teach students to use something more practical, such as
using Office suites. (A lot of upper year students still don't know how to
use Word for typing effectively!)
Upper year courses are better in nature and more practical.
The quality of professors are varies by a great magnitude. Some put good
efforts and do care the success of the students and even remember students'
last name. On the other hand, some are just treat this is a part time job and
fool around. Reading straight off the power point slides and actually teaches
nothing are not uncommon, and the students are usually reflect all these in
the evaluation report.
The students might better off if Carleton stress on more real-life learning
cases, or even let students to working with outside companies in their project
studies.
Comments:
need better food choices on campus
tired of everyone (read: companies) extorting students, everything is
sooooo expensive
except beer....
My experience at Carleton is basically O.K., but I would
like to see more interaction between instructors and
undergrads. In particular, I am left with the impression
that classroom participation is considered undesirable. I
have only taken 4 courses at Carleton so far, so my sample
size is rather small, but in 3 of them I was left with the
impression that I was wasting the class's time when I asked
a question or made an observation. An exception is Ann
XXXXXX's CC.CCCV lectures. She is an excellent teacher -
I wish I could have seen the live version. Her tapes should
be required viewing for all new instructors. It might avoid
the wooden recitation of course notes that is passed off as
instruction. Are they assuming that students cannot read and
therefore must have the notes dictated to them?
Comments: As a tape-to-you student, I felt that teachers' were available
to me. The thing I missed out on were the opportunities to meet with
advisors on course selection and
Comments: For an institution that is charging me money for every aspect of
campus life (tuition, books, food, parking, athletic programs, photocopies,
printouts, ITV tape rentals, etc.) I feel that the university treats me
poorly and impersonally at times. Quality of education is one thing, but a
simple level of respect and courtesy is quite another. Administration should
get its act together, stop whining about how much money it needs (where are
my thousands of dollars going?) and start treating its current students
better. Maybe then it could get more donations from alumni and grads
wouldn't take their degree and run like they do right now.
Comments:I enjoy the life style and culture at Carleton University. I enjoy the physical beuty of the campus. Professors, staff and students at Carleton University are all very nice, intelligent and friendly. I would recommend Carleton University as a place for post secondary study to anybody.
Comments:what has made Carleton a good choice for me was the humanities program. if it was not offered here, i would not be attending Carleton.
Comments:
I definitely think that we should have expanded program specializations or
at least allow people to complete double minors. Now, I have to decide what
will appear on my diploma (Honours Journalism, minor in French of Honours
Journalims minor in Business--even though I have enough credits for both.)
If you are able to complete the appropriate credits for both minors, they
should both be recongnized on your diploma. Esepecially in the field of
journalism, it would be very beneficial.
Comments: Carleton's negligence towards the Arts, Humanities, and Languages
reflects poorly on both the students and the Univesity as a whole. A change
in direction is urgently needed in order prevent the degeneration of
otherwise rich programs of study. This is especially essential because
these programs create broad minded, creative, and motivated individuals
bound to succeed in careers and future studies. Clearly these students will
win, for Carleton, the reputation it deserves. Closing doors for these
individuals is a very short sighted strategy.
Comments: I hope this survey is made useful by its authors. We as students
have now taken time to share our opinions - calling for those opinions is a
great first step, but following up / responding is equally important, and
following through on necessary changes is the most important of all. My
meetings with academic cousellors, specifically, have been fruitless and
discouraging. I inevitably leave with a worse feeling of failure and
hopelessness that when I walked in, and I know this is a feeling shared by
other students. I learn the most relevant and useful information regarding
my academic career and options from fellow students, and not from the
useless folk who are *supposed* to provide it (I refer, in this specific
case, to the cousellors in the office on 3rd floor Paterson).
Comments: Some additional questions should be asked regarding satisfaction of student's experiences in relation to cost of tuition. Ex. Is the quality of teaching, services used, and knowledge gained worth the large sum of money we pay for tuition added to the large some of money we pay to buy textbooks that are chosen by profs (without regard of cost)?
Comments:
If I had to do it again CArleton would not be the place I choose. I was completely lost in the system. Carleton tends to only show extreme interest in those in high tech careers. Those of us in Arts and Social Science lack guidance from the Deptartments, lack of help selecting courses ,lack of career fairs and lack of co-op options. Also, I attended Carleton for 5 years, and every year, except one, I was given the LAST DAY to register at 1:30pm or 2:30 pm, where I constantly could not get into the classes I wanted because they were full.
Comments: A greater selection of major study options within the
Business program would probably make it more desirable to new and
current students. For example, a Sports Management or Sports Finance
discipline would allow for an interested student (such as myself) to
link current business practise and applications with a multi-million
dollar industry in constant growth and change. A discipline such as
this would definitely be useful, especially with the presence of
major sports teams in Ottawa. As well, this type of specific
discipline allows students to differentiate from the "same old thing"
in terms of future job perpectives and goals. Greater options and
specialization can allow for the more unique student to learn within
an environment more suited to their needs and interests. This
strengthens the overall learning process, as well as adding more
enjoyment to the classroom/lecture setting.
Comments: If I had the option, I would not chose to continue my studies at
Carleton. Overall, I am not satisfied with my education at Carleton and if
I had the option to go elsewhere I would. If only I could afford
it..............
Comments: I think question #29 is an important one, and and area Carleton should perhaps become a specialist in. I came to carleton because they offered a very specific program, the 'concentration in law, policy and govt.' and I am very pleased with it. I think in todays highly specialized job market, more programs are needed such as this. The colleges seem to be responding to this need with their highly specialized computer, etc.. programs, and todays universities need to follow this lead. A broad-based education is still important, but not as much as it used to be.
Comments:
I have experienced times where Carleton staff, professors and TAs should have
been more courtious and helpful. I also work with the Alumni dept. at
Carleton and I hear what past graduates have to say about Carleton which is
not always good. And I think that if we want to garner a stronger and more
confident student body (and more positive image of Carleton) YOU, Carleton
University, HAVE to make sure your employees are aware that we, as students,
pay a lot of money to go to university so the least they can do is be more
helpful and nice. If they aren't, then that perpetuates further dislike of
Carleton U that already exists among the community. Furthermore, the
university pays a lot of money to university professors who seem to do so
little for their students. Make it a point to evaluate more of a professor's
work in class and the marks his/her students get. And while this is not
always so, I think it's fair to say that good professor's tend to get better
marks from their students and have better relationships with the students in
the long run.
Lastly, please make it more accessible for students to be heard when we have
problems or complaints about university incidents with Carleton employees.
Also what's with the high costs of food on campus and bad Beaver Food
service!!!???? Get a new catering service, Carleton! Students, including
myself, have been complaining about this since I was in 1st year - change it
already.
Comments: Very good survey. I hope some concrete action will come out of it.
Comments: I hate the parking costs as well as the costs of the text books. What is our tuition for????
Comments:Changes to programs are too frequent. Also the administration is
not adequate to fullfil their role to the students at this institution.
Faculty is pretty good although there are some who need to be re-evaluated.
Comments: though difficult, more human cntact and less technology when being dealt
Comments:
Carleton has good understanding profs.
It is a little impersonal. Unless
you live in res. or join a club
it is hard to meet people.
Carleton was convenient for me
and though I am not overwhelmed,
I am enjoying my experience here.
Comments:
I am overall pleased with Carleton University. The only thing I am
concerned with is the class sizes. It makes it increasingly impossible to
discuss things with your professor and to get to know them. I am a third
year student and still have ITV classes which obviously makes it difficult
for any type of interaction. It is the upper year classes that I find I
require more interaction.
Comments:
I believe that I owe a good portion of my success to the inspiration
and confidence that I obtained from my "First Year Seminar" experience.
It is important that the University expands this program, or at least
ensures that first year students are takeing classes from the better
proffesors like XXXX, YYYY, or ZZZZ, As for
some of my other Professors, I had better "teachers" in HighSchool.
Some of the academics that are placed infront of students have no people
skills and just aren't teachers. Thankfully, I have been successful
thus far academically, but no thanks to the quality of lectures that I
have been attending.
For many students their only real contact with the school is the 15
hours of class time each week. If Carleton really wants to stand out,
the Professors should be able to teach. For $4500 a year, roughly $75
per lecture, I don't think thats to much to ask.
Comments: In regards to marks, some professors take a very long time to
distribute our marks in some classes. This can become a problem especially
when registration for the next term/year is right around the corner (i.e.
especially marks from the fall term which need to be known prior to the
start of the winter term). Many of the excuses that professors have seem to
be that they don't know how to use the touchtone system or do not have
knowledge about how to put marks up on the web. Perhaps there is a way to
either make the touchtone system and web based systems easier for professors
to provide students with their marks in a timely fashion, or simply to allow
their T.A.'s to help them speed up the process. Thank you.
Comments:
In terms of an early reigstration, I am opposed to it because there is no need for it. The Calendar and other books provide more than enough information needed for students to choose the appropriate courses. For this same reason, there is no need for advisory approval of courses.
As for the addition to the curriculum, the reason an education from
Carleton in Criminology (for example) is looked upon as one of the best
(in the employment field) is because other schools offer a degree is
Criminology whereas at Carleton you have to focus on one of three
disciplines and still take course in the other two. This makes you a
well wouded individual. Too much speciab\lization might make you an
exprext but being versatile is much more important nowadays.
Comments: I am in the Bacholor of Public Affairs and Policy Management Program, and I am satisfied at the level of education and specialization that takes place here.
Comments: I think more advising and career guidance would be helpful
Comments: I think that Carleton should provide Co-op programs in Mass
Communications
Comments:
I like carleton, but am displeased about my CC.CCC D professor who I can
hardly understand because of his thick accent and poor grammar. I feel this
is inexcusable at the third year level.
Comments:I started Carleton at the age of 17 within the first year
Qualifying year which i found grossly unsatisfactory. At my acceptance
into the school i was not told the details of the qualifying year, nor was
i informed about how it would impact on further study. Since then i have
entered Mass Communications where i find myself without a clear indication
of where this degree will lead me. There has been little to no indication
as to what jobs this degree will offer, and at career fairs i have found no
indication, as based on job offers, that this degree even exists, let alone
that it is a supposedly competitive and large presence on campus.
Within my combined honours, my second degree is that of Human Rights. For
the most part i have been vastly impressed by my professors (with a very
lmt. few exceptions) although i have been dissapointed by the mediocre
selection of courses. I find that for such a progressive degree there
necessitates far more than a grouping of theory courses which are largely
repetitive, for instance, i have dealt with identical subjects in four
separate courses, and while the material was interesting, i see little
difference in studying it from the perspective of philosophy, law and
political science. Rather than having us grow bored and aggravated with
interchangeably similar and prerequisite courses i would suggest that you
supplement this identical theory work with courses that will actually offer
us a perspective that is both interesting and useful in the attainment of a
job. If you're attempting to indoctrinate an activist oriented course, why
aren't you encouraging the students to aim to activities which are activist?
WHy not extend the options available and give us some choices.
And this time please inform the other departments that we exist.
Registering was VERY difficult in that we were given prerequisite courses
with other departments who didn't seem to realize that there even was a
human rights degree. I found it quite dissappointing, not to mention
aggravating to discover that when i was attempting to register for my
pre-requisite poli. sci. course i was told by the poli. sci. department that
there was no room for the human rights students, unless we registered during
late registration. I ask, why is it that a new degree should be penalized?
I do love the idea of belonging to the human rights discipline. I like the
idea of being in a progressive degree where i can learn fascinating new
things about the worlds atrocities, from perspectives which are different
from the mainstream. However, the problem arises where i am filled to the
brim with information, but unable to use it for anything, as we have not
been taught where to apply it, and how to make a career out of it.
Sincerely,
A dissapointed and growingly jaded student.
Comments:
In general i think im getting a decent education at
carleton. although i do disagree with a lot of things
in terms of policies, my education will help me get a
a good job when i graduate. one thing that i would
like to see changed though is the gpa entrance in to
the commerce program. you need a gpa of 6.5 or 7 in
order to get onto the program. but you only need to
maintain a c- to remain in the program once your
exepted, i personally can't justify this rule.
Comments: With regard to registration in August. More time could be
given between the registration date and the payment date. I am in
my third year this year and back in August I registered on the day I was
supposed to and my payments after finalizing fees were due in less than
one week. Sometimes scraping together $4400 for tuition payment takes
time. I hardly had time to mail the cheque.
Also, with regard to professional advisors and all the other advisors
listed in the first section. I responded to every question with a "no"
making it appear as if I never even want to use them. I am glad they are
there even though I have not used them yet. I plan on using them next
year when I am in my fourth year and getting ready to graduate. I feel
they will be more helpful when I am prepared to enter the workplace and
have a better idea on what I want to do with my degree. I imagine the
results of this survey will show that later students (3rd & 4th years)
use the advisors more than first year students.
I like the idea of having this survey to let students voice their
opinions!!
Comments: I appreciate the fact that we, as students, are asked for feedback
and I hope the information received will help improving service as well as
options offered.
Comments: The questions on this survey seem important however some answers
will be skewed because they are out of context. I am a journalism student
at Carleton. I will stay at Carleton until I graduate because there isn't a
great selection of other schools I can go to that offer the program, and
none that would transfer credits.
I also said there there is a pretty good chance I get a job related to my
studies because journalism is so specific. It is a lot easier to get a
related job for me than a sociology student.
I don't know if that matters for your results but when I answered those
questions I hesitated because they were often so because of my area of
studies.
Comments:
I have had to contact the registrar's office by telephone on a few occasions
about some important course and program information, but was disturbed by
the lack of CONSISTENT knowledge. I got 3 different answers to the same
question, and ended up relying on information that may or may not have been
correct. I felt very unsure, but I trusted in the third person with whom I
spoke to (XXXXXX) and she gave me the correct information. It is scary
to think what may have happened to my education as a result of the first two
people's information. I also feel that Carleton does not value me as a
person, rather my tuition money. After paying the tuition, I was dismayed
that I would have to also pay for our lab assignment package (a bunch of
photocopies). I understand that books and coursepacks are not covered in
tuition, but I think that materials such as these assignments, which are
needed in order to pass the course aren't covered. I am only a number at
this university, and because of that, I do not wish to extend my education
(at the masters or phd level) here. I do like the professors that I have
had though. I have really enjoyed 3 in particular and they were all
sessionals who really went the extra distance for our class. It seems that
some of the older professors do not care or have the zest to teach that they
may have had at an earlier point in their careers.
Finally, I don't know if my education will provide me with a job after
graduation, but I am hoping that it will. I have learned important and
interesting information at Carleton and for that I am grateful.
Comments: From speaking to other students, I have come to realize that
I have been very fortunate in my studies here at Carleton. The vast
majority of my professors have been helpful, understanding, friendly,
and informative; however, from talking to other students I get the
impression that this isn't always the case. Learning with (because
I believe that professors have as much to learn from their students
as we do from them) compassionate and understanding professors
is the most important element of a university student's education.
An individual cannot be expected to gain knowledge in a hostile and
unfriendly environment.
I would also like this opportunity to comment on exam proctors. I have
had at least two negative experiences with the exam proctors who supervise
the christmas and final exams. I found them to be unfriendly, insensitive
to students, rude and poorly advised about what constitutes appropriate and
inappropriate behaviour (on their part). I do not think that they fully
comprehend the amount of stress we students experience. I would like to
point out; however, that I have also encountered some very pleasant and
kind proctors. I think that they should be advised to treat students
with respect and kindness in order to minimize the amount of stress
that we might endure in writing our examinations.
Another issue which warrants consideration is that of food services.
The eateries on campus provide a narrow selection of food such that
most of the meals are of a fast food variety and do not include
a substantial vegetarian alternative. I understand that the university
itself does not make these decisions, but, at the same time, could
influence those in charge of food services to pay more attention to
student/customer concerns and needs for a healthy and balanced
diet. I have also found that the exclusive provision of coca-cola
beverages has substatially decreased the variety of beverages available
on campus.
I would like to thank you for providing me with this opportunity to
voice my concerns and comment on the environment in which I am
learning. In my opinion, students should be sent a questionnaire like
this every year. I would also suggest that in designing the questions,
students themselves should be consulted so that their major concerns
are given full attention.
Comments: I am graduating in 2 months, hence some of the above questions are redundant for me to answer, although I did. Also my current degree is a pre-degree required for the program I am entering next year (B.Ed.) so a lot of the other answers are not really relevant. What I mean is, I knew when I applied to my program that it was not leading to a career for me. I just thought that may justify some of the answers given.
Comments:
Carleton University is having major problems keeping up with the heavy
influx of new students. Examples include crowded classrooms, substituting
full professors for sessionals (which in my opinion generally tends to
reduce teaching quality), horrible quality of computing resources (not
enough labs and printers, outdated equipment - CCS), and a major lack of
space for student lounge/study areas (the lounge in Loeb was taken over for
Arthur Kroeger college a couple years ago). Also, bus service to CU
absolutely stinks! (compared with Ottawa U)
Another major complaint is the disproportionate amount of resources that are
funnelled into "high-tech" programs such as engineering and computer
science. While this may be a hot sector right now, teaching "high-tech"
students to read, write, and communicate properly should be more of a focus.
On a positive note, I absolutely love the scheduling flexibility that half
credits offers compared to full credits. Also, ITV is an excellent option
for students with busy lives outside of CU...ITV is generally very-well run.
Comments: The reason that it is highly unlikely that I will find a job
after grad is that I will be going to a Masters program hopefully. But if I
had to get a job after grad it would probably still be unlikely as there
isn't too mcuh you can do with just a BA in psychology. Luckily I knew this
before entering the program and had my sights on further education. I think
the area that needs the greatest amount of help is Summer school. I am fast
tracking my education so that I can get a job sooner and so I went to Summer
school. It was a moderately disappointing experience. One teacher was placed
in last minute and I wish that I had had the foresight to drop the course
and the other prof was never there, instead there was an inexperienced TA
who gave everyone in the class the same essay grades. (It was not her fault)
I would like to see more interaction between the student and the prof
instead of having to rely on the TA's. I am not sure if I will attend summer
school again this year. I might have to as I still have a goal in mind of an
early graduation. I really hope it will be a better experience this year.
Comments: I think that there could be more done in the way of giving guidance to students both who are attending Carleton, as well as those who are thinking about attending Carleton. If people had a better understanding of what they were getting into, or of how to achieve what they wanted (in terms of knowing what courses should be taken, then maybe there would be more successful, less confused people.
As well, some programs offer a lot of choice in what one can take
through their years here. Perhaps a more structured schedule would be
better, where there were either less choices for electives, or one where
there were more concise divisions. For example, if someone wanted to
take physical geography, as opposed to any other type, there would be a
program especially offered just for them. The boundaries would be clear
and there would be less confusion about what to take if it is already
outlined for you.
Comments:
Carleton has given me given all that i have desired and required as a
student over the past four years. I loved the school and always will.
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