False advertising 101

Interested in taking the History of the Vietnam War, History 264? Or how about Ancient Humour, Classics 205?

Well, too bad. In spite of the inclusion of these courses in the Arts and Science course calendar each year, they have never been offered at Queen’s, at least not in recent memory. And these are just two examples of the dozens of courses that exist only on paper.

Admittedly, funding cuts and sabbaticals make it difficult to predict which courses will be offered in the next school year when the calendar goes to the press each spring. However, the exaggerated course selection in the calendar constitutes more than a few honest mistakes.

It is blatantly false advertising.

The administration misleads potential Queen’s recruits by sending them a book padded with courses they will never be able to take.

Not only does the calendar deceive frosh, it upsets the attempts of current students to plan their degrees. As well as including courses that don’t exist, the calendar often had inaccurate descriptions of the one that actually do.

Even when a described course is offered, the prerequisites the calendar claims necessary to take it may not even exist. The calendar is unclear about the prerequisites for courses and degree programmes, as well.

While a course calendar that perfectly reflects reality may be impossible to achieve, surely the current state of the publication is not the best the faculty can do.

If the administration does not care enough about its students to revamp the publication, perhaps another organization, such as ASUS, can offer a more student-friendly alternative. It’s time to stop lying to frosh and confusing everyone else who is try to plan their degree.