**Update**: I just wanted to express my thanks to you all, Computer Science Co-op has decided to go back to a modified Rank/Match Selection Process and it couldn't have happened without you all! 

Students and employers alike are not happy with the current continuous placement process that the Computer Science Co-op program adopted a year ago. We believe that it’s taken away from the quality of the program.

Continuous placement creates panic for the students. They are no longer able to consider all the available opportunities at the same time. Rather than applying for positions that are of most interest, a good match for their skills and the best overall fit, they are applying for jobs based on fear of not securing a placement. This has resulted in underemployment, disappointment, and frustration. Students prepare fewer application packages and conduct fewer interviews in many cases, limiting the opportunity to develop important professional skills.

For employers, this process is a race against the clock as well. Companies attempt to get their postings up early, review their application packages promptly and submit their shortlist. In many cases, what they discover is that some of the students they were wanting to interview are no longer available. The employers don’t even get the opportunity to present what they have to offer to the students that applied. They’ve lost out before they even get started and then need to invest more time in another application review to select a second list of students. Or worse, they interview and select a great student, extend an offer only to be told that they were too late, that student was placed elsewhere.

Students don't know if their favourite companies will be submitting job postings, so they apply and accept a position as soon as possible, in fear of missing out altogether. Again, this process measures speed rather than quality. Then there’s the policy of only being able to decline one offer per term. In many cases this means a student doesn't turn down any at all, they settle for a placement that they aren’t excited about, because the risk of not securing a job at all is always looming.

This process limits student opportunities to the first option of company, rather than the option that works best for them. Students want the chance to find a placement where they feel they might make the greatest contribution and learn the most. The rank/match process allowed students to weigh all their options, make an informed decision and thrive on their Co-op term – one that they chose based on all available opportunities.

Companies often find themselves scrambling to make a posting as fast as possible. Funding, paperwork and required approvals take time and in many cases are out of the hiring manager's control. By the time they can post, there are fewer students to select from, and maybe none that match what they were looking for. The opportunity to find the ideal candidate for the position is gone. That employer decides not to interview any of the remaining students. The employer loses, the students lose, the program loses.

Finding the best match for all parties should be the number one priority.

We are making this petition not for ourselves but for future Co-op students. We, as current Co-op students, have had the chance to experience both placement processes and we insist that it be changed back to the Rank/Match Selection Process.

Thank you for your time.