Monday December 18th students enrolled at Queens University were sent an email from Associate Dean Bill Nelson.

His email is attached.

It was swift and without warning that current students working towards a degree program would no longer have the option to pursue a degree online in Arts and Science.

This may not sound important, but as Queens prides itself on being an elite institution, with inclusivity and equality.

It looks more like the school offered an opportunity and have now turned their back on students working toward their dream.  

As students, we are not naive in knowing the school is a business. What is however being forgotten, are the students taking Arts and Science courses like the single Mom who is trying to work, care for her kids and better her life and theirs while working towards a degree. The countless nurses who became burnt out by their tireless work during COVID and are working towards Psychology or Health Science's, to help our population in the most meaningful ways. We need more mental health and medical practitioners. There is a highschool graduate, with a disabled mother she cares for at home. Online schooling while she works and cares for her Mother is the only way she can get a University education  

The sudden cessation of online degree programs is both unfair and unjust, particularly for students who have invested time, effort, and resources towards their educational goals.

The students were emailed by the Dean, during an exam week and less than a week before Christmas.

With campus, advisory, and supports closing in less than 4 days. The students emails have all been returned with automated replies, stating 2-5 business days.

Some students are in the middle of a two term course. 

Classes resume January 8th. Tuition is due January 10th. The email stated that an advisor to assist you in what to do now, is not available until January 22nd.

When a student reached out to the dean after his email, Bill stated “we don’t guarantee degrees to anyone” and that “there won’t be enough online courses to choose from for you to finish your degree, dependent upon how many courses you need”. -this affects more than just the students who received this email. 

This unexpected discontinuation of online degree programs not only pose a significant challenge for current students but also raises questions about the University's commitment and integrity to the continuity and well-being of its student body. It is not just the Arts and Science department that should be worried. 

Queen’s University is taking students money and chosing to jeopardize their personal and professional futures. 

Please, our window for change is very small. There is power in numbers. Please help us point out to Queens that they cannot deliberately destroy this opportunity for our students.  Please sign and help spread the word.