Queen’s Arts and Science Online (ASO) students find themselves readjusting their virtual education with the closure of admissions to ASO program options.
The Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) announced on Dec. 18 they’re no longer accepting admissions to ASO Degrees and Certificates in the wake of several new budgetary measures being announced to tackle the University’s projected $48 million deficit. The decision was communicated to students and faculty by FAS Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) Bill Nelson.
ASO serves on-campus students looking for schedule flexibility, distance students, non-degree students taking courses for interest, and offers online degrees and certificates.
The University’s projected $48 million deficit “accelerated their [the faculty’s] thinking” in closing enrolment to the ASO program. The FAS will also be eliminating small, in-person courses over the next two academic years when enrollment falls below 10 undergraduate students or five graduate students.
READ MORE: University’s operating budget deficit lowered from $62.8 to $48 million
According to a memo circulated to all academic department heads within the FAS, the faculty reviewed its academic course offerings through ASO and decided they could no longer accept new admissions starting in January 2024.
“All current distance students in degree or certificate program will be guaranteed a pathway to completion,” the memo read.
This decision affects both ASO degree and certificate programs. Students enrolled in completely online programs such as academic writing, employment relations, and media studies will have to take alternative routes to complete their certificates.
Interest students, students without the prerequisites to enroll directly into a degree or diploma program, and non-degree students received a separate email informing them they can no longer stay on a pathway to a fully online degree or certificate. This decision wasn’t communicated in the email sent to department heads and assistants.
“You will still be able to take our online courses next term and going forward, but the pathway to an online degree program or certificate via Arts and Science Online is no longer available to you,” the email sent to interest students read.
Interest students can use their online credits as a basis to apply for an on-campus program at Queen’s or apply to transfer their credits towards a degree at another university.
On-campus students can continue to enroll in online classes as part of their degree. The decision doesn’t apply to other faculties offering fully online degrees, such as the Faculty of Health Sciences.
READ MORE: Professors breakdown ArtsSci cuts at full teach-in.
In the memo sent to all department heads, the FAS claims the end of admissions to online programs will ensure “resources, constrained under the university’s current budget deficit challenges, are used as efficiently as possible for faculty and students.” The FAS hasn’t clarified if the decision is temporary or permanent.
The faculty has yet to explain the impacts of this decision or how it will contribute to balancing the faculty’s books.
Tags
arts and science online, budget cuts, certificates
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James McDonald
How is it possible that Queen’s could not make money with online courses??? Minimal overhead, regurgitated content year after year, and high enrollment.
I’ve taken many online courses at Queen’s. Some had content that was dated from 2010 and no one had ever bothered to change it. Perhaps the business stude is could introduce Queen’s to reality?
Stephen Maksymetz
What gets me, is that this is an institution that graduates economists and MBA’s. Yet here they are in a bad financial position. How does that happen?
Edward (Ted) Doleman
I fully agree with James, how can an online course cost more than one that requires a classroom etc.? Did they actually do a cost per person analysis or is based on who will complain and protest? Waterloo gutted their distance program ( which I graduated from after two degrees from Queen’s) and both undergrad programs were challenging. We are supposed to live in a democracy, and that means equal access to opportunities particularly those receiving government support. I know that the government funding is insufficient but actual high cost low return programs should go first, not those who have the smallest voice.
Ben I. J. Fitzgerald
Your writing style is so relatable and authentic It’s a breath of fresh air in a world filled with superficiality and pretense