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November 14, 2005 To Whom It May
Concern: On July 15th,
2005 I met with a UVic Engineering Co-op Coordinator as per the requirements of
the Department of Engineering. I
wish to relate the experience to you as a matter of record.
I also wish to show that this experience was representative of the
difficulties that I have encountered when dealing with the UVic Engineering
Co-op Office. During the
aforementioned meeting, I conveyed my objections to the coordinator regarding
the administration and policies of the UVic Engineering Co-op program.
As a result, I was subjected to a verbal assault on my character. I take the greatest offence to having my
professionalism attacked; during the meeting my language was not offensive, my
tone was reserved and calm, and I made absolutely no comments of a personal
nature. It seems that the
coordinator, Ms. (XXXXX), was unable to accept my valid statements pertaining to
my dissatisfaction with the Engineering Co-op program. I felt that Ms. (XXXXX)'s negative
attitude was apparent from the outset, as she began the meeting by chastising me
for having re-scheduled the visit due to my previous commitments at work. It
should be noted that at the time of the meeting I had been hired on a continuing
basis, and my obligations to my employer were my first priority.
I had given the Co-op Office a full 24 hour’s notice to re-schedule. However, it was made very clear during the
meeting that the coordinator had little interest in speaking to me, and seemed
mostly concerned with pursuing future employment contacts with my supervisor,
who was unavailable. I wish to take this opportunity to justify
my dissatisfaction with the UVic Engineering Co-op program.
I thank you in advance for concerning yourself with this matter.
Below follow a few examples of my experiences with the Office and its
staff: 1.
During a Winter 2004 work-term site visit, the coordinator (Dr. XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX) voiced complaints to me regarding another student she was to visit
later that day. To wit, I was
informed of difficulties between the employer and student, and told of phone
conversations between the two parties and the Co-op office.
I was also made aware of all the names of those involved (including my
classmate and a fellow work associate). I
found the exposure to this confidential information to be highly unprofessional. 2.
After pursuing an employment opportunity on my own in Fall 2003,
completely outside of the Co-op office’s authority, I contacted the employer
to check on the status of my application. I
was informed that I had been selected as one of four applicants for an interview
short-list. However, during the
employer’s reference check with the Co-op office (which was referenced on my
CV) they were informed by a Co-op staff member that I did not have a ‘résumé
release form’ on file, and was therefore ineligible for hire.
I was subsequently bypassed for an interview. Please note that I was never informed at any level that such a ‘résumé release form’ even existed or was a requirement for participation within the UVic Co-op program. I have never made my résumé available to the Co-op Office for reasons of privacy, and remain dumbfounded that I should be penalized for wishing to keep my personal information private. I am now reluctant to even mention the UVic Co-op program anywhere on my CV. 3.
During a meeting in January 2003, where the Co-op office made an
accountability presentation to engineering students, a coordinator (Ms. XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX) stated that, “If you can’t find a Co-op job, you shouldn’t be
taking Engineering”. This
statement seemed completely inappropriate for a department supposedly committed
to helping students find employment. The
statement also exemplified an attitude of indifference and contempt that I found
common among my dealings and communications with the Co-op Office. 4.
Correspondence with the Co-op office has been most unreliable. There were some cases where I received responses to e-mails two
months after sending a request. In
many cases, my e-mails simply went unanswered. 5. Despite having found employment for all work-terms on my own, and having never once found it necessary to use the Co-op office’s services or database, I fail to see how the Co-op fees are justified. Fees, by definition, are paid for a service, and as such, I have found the service offered by the Co-op office completely unneeded. While this complaint refers more to the mandatory nature of the Co-op program, I wish to declare that it seems unethical to impose full fees on students willing to show initiative by finding their own jobs. 6.
My scheduled graduation in June 2005 was delayed due to an outstanding
work-term, despite my completion of all academic requirements at the University,
despite taking my Obligation to receive the Iron Ring, despite having already
acquired the requisite number of work-hours prior to June convocation, and
despite an appeal to the Co-op office. I
feel that this technicality (based on the Co-op program requirements) denied me
from sharing a significant event of my life with my family and my colleagues of
the last five years. As such, I
was forced to wait six months for November convocation. This delayed accreditation may have affected my salary for
the last five months.
I was fortunate
that my current employer accepted my transcripts and a letter from the Dean’s
Office (proving completion of all academic requirements) in lieu of a degree.
This difficulty in proving my earned credentials may have affected my
salary for five months. In this
case, Co-op credit was irrelevant to my career, and could be considered an
impediment to my immediate professional and financial pursuits. 7. In Winter 2005, the Co-op office lost one of my work-term reports (including my original work experience log and performance review) after submission. A breach of protocol with regards to proprietary material should be regarded with the highest concern. I suggest that a review of the countless
surveys put forth to students by the Engineering Co-op office will reveal even
more evidence of widespread dissatisfaction.
I feel confident to say that I am not the only person to have had
multiple negative experiences in dealing with the Office. Also, my transcripts and PADRE report show
that I have not been awarded credits for my first and second work-terms, even
though I paid the proportional tuition fees.
As I have successfully completed these work-terms and paid the required
tuition (but not been awarded credits), I hereby request an explanation as to
why I was charged for four earned credits of academic fees that were not
awarded. In conclusion, I wish to declare that I felt there was no benefit to my education provided by the UVic Engineering Co-op program – there would have been no difference (save over $2,500 in fees) had I attended some other university and simply found my own engineering-related work during the summer. I found the assistance and resources from the Office irrelevant and unnecessary, the services ineffective, and the fees unjustified. I see no reason why such a pointless mandatory program is enforced; if students wish, they should be able to opt out and pursue employment on their own, unregulated by a seemingly petty and self-serving institution. If asked, I most definitely will not
recommend studying Engineering at UVic on the grounds that the Engineering Co-op
Program is a detriment to fostering a positive educational environment.
I realize my next statement is hearsay, but I’ve spoken to several UVic
engineering graduates who have roundly denounced the UVic Engineering Co-op
Office. It is unfortunate that my UVic experience
has had to end on such a dreadful note, especially since my other experiences
with instructors, classmates, and the University community in general have been
largely stimulating and enjoyable. The
University of Victoria is an outstanding institution with excellent engineering
instructors and a well-earned reputation; it is a shame that a self-preserving
and ineffective department is sullying its notable name. I remain very willing to discuss these
matters in person should an invitation be proffered. Or, upon receipt of the
aforementioned explanation regarding un-awarded credits (or a pro-rated
reimbursement) within fourteen calendar days, I shall consider this matter
closed. Else, I shall consider the possibility of contacting appropriate
media outlets. Respectfully, R. Scott Hall |
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