Carleton University (Canada)

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Geography and Geosciences (This Major's Salary over time)
As a mature student with work experience, I was expecting a lot more from Carleton. What I didn't expect was that my thesis supervisor's extramarital affairs and complete lack of ethics was going to make my experience of campus life intolerable.

I've heard of Carleton being referred to as "Last Chance U", and the students will often use the expression "Carleton U, where the students always come last". Sadly, those catch phrases have been well earned by this university.

Graduate Studies at Carleton won't answer general inquiries for information made by graduate students. Many offices on campus are extremely difficult to access if you happen to be a student. Don't expect to just drop into an office to ask questions. Usually it's a matter of staying behind the line like an inmate.

There is nothing in place for graduate students with disabilities. I had my TAships cut because suitable work couldn't be provided to take into consideration my medical situation. My thesis supervisor actually complained loudly about having been "tricked" into taking on a disabled student (because it isn't immediately apparent when looking at me and I didn't mention the disability in my application).

There are no guidelines in place to ensure that a thesis supervisor does in fact have the available funding for the project a student is expecting to work on. Many students find after the first year of work that the funding dries up completely, leaving students the choice of funding lab work out-of-pocket or looking for alternate ways to complete their project.

I did bring up these concerns, along with other concerns much too serious to put online, with the Dean of Science and with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. All that I accomplished by doing that was to find myself in the position of not having a thesis supervisor. It's up to me now to find a supervisor with adequate funding so that I can finish my work. Given the fact that I'm now seen as a "problem" student, it isn't likely that anyone will be interested in acting as my supervisor.

A lack of ethics seems very much a part of the culture at this university. I certainly wouldn't send my own kids here, even as an undergrad. It's a university with a top-heavy administration, tenured professors who don't pull their weight and a large contingent of poorly paid seasonal instructors who do most of the teaching. It isn't a good environment for students.