OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2020 - 37

OSPE HUB EXCHANGE

THE EFFECT OF COVID-19

ON STUDENTS

A

s COVID-19 forever alters our daily processes
are used in engineering labs, the tuition for engineering is
and habits, we're discovering that already
always significantly more than the tuition for other streams.
vulnerable groups, such as students and
Now that the term will be online, there's no way we can
new grads, are among the hardest hit in
get the same enriching learning experience as we would in
the engineering
person. We are still paying the
community. Many students were
same tuition." As the long-term
expecting to graduate into a
reality of online learning becomes
robust economy full of prospects
apparent, this "new normal" must
at the start of their careers, but
adequately replace the quality of
unfortunately, they have found this
old learning models.
not to be the case as the engineering
Off-campus learning has
impacts that stretch beyond
world struggles to pivot in the face
the confines of the university.
of job loss, economic slowdown,
Students locked into yearlong
and confused messaging.
As Areeba Aziz, currently
leases, expecting to be on campus,
enrolled at McMaster University
are still obligated to pay out
in Software Engineering tells us,
the remaining balance of their
students must weigh the practical
tenancy. "A lot of us will be staying
concerns of social distancing
at home, so we will be paying for
against the value of an on-campus
eight months of rent in Hamilton
education. As schools officially
without even living there," says
announce that the fall term will
Aziz. And trying to break the
be moved entirely online, Aziz
lease, even with the agreement of a
wonders if the type of education
landlord is a tricky proposition. It
means that students like Aziz will
received will be the same. "A lot of
Off-campus learning has
labs are typically done in person
have to take a gamble, since, "we
impacts that stretch beyond
and we don't know how we can
don't even know if winter term
the confines of the university.
will be online or not so we may
get the same experience virtually,"
Students
locked
into
yearlong
says Aziz, pointing out a concern
end up paying for the entire year's
leases, expecting to be on
facing many engineering students:
rent without living there." She
notes that if the university calls
if much of the work is hands on,
campus, are still obligated to
collaborative, and involved, how
them back, many will struggle to
pay out the remaining balance
can online learning replace this?
find housing if they let go of their
of their tenancy.
COVID-19 related shutdowns
current leases.
began as the Winter 2020 term
The fluctuating nature of
wrapped up, meaning that many online protocols were
COVID-19 and its fallout is affecting more than just students.
designed and operated as stopgap measures.
As Ashley Hosier, P.Eng., related to us, she was at the end of
her maternity leave and excited to get back to work when the
Beyond quality, the significant burden of cost engineering
students face is a growing concern. Aziz goes on to say that
pandemic struck. "Our daycare closed. My office transitioned
"because of the expensive equipment and resources that
to work-from-home. The planned field work ground to a halt,

Fall 2020 THE VOICE

37
OSPE - The Voice - Fall 2020

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