The University of Waterloo's Department of Co-operative Education and Career Action (CECA) has met with Science Society (SciSoc) to start taking constructive steps to address student concerns. Among these was feedback brought forward anonymously by students via SciSoc's online polling and the resolution of censure from the Science student government's board. The Board's decision to censure, to express strong disapproval of CECA's performance in light of student discontent, was based on concerns over transparency, lack of anonymous reporting methods (thereby a lack of student trust in CECA reporting systems), and financial disclosure concerns.
More than 240 students participated in online polling run by the Science Society, Chemistry Club, and Materials & Nanoscience Society before the meeting, with involvement from students in all the Faculties and a variety of years (including graduates). The full text of student anonymous commentary and collected data was relayed to the CECA and Associate Dean of Co-op for Science, Stefan Idziakz. Science Society Executive and Board members met with CECA representatives, who were very open to changes and were quick to note areas where progress was already being made prior to the Society's resolution. CECA, through programs like Co-op 2.0, is working tirelessly to increasing student involvement and remedy student malcontent.
The Science Society is confident that CECA remains committed to students and to self-reflection. Both parties have acknowledged room to grow and learn from this experience; the Society will continue to increase its involvement with Co-operative Education and Career Action services at Waterloo via the Co-operative Education Council & Co-operative Student's Council. Likewise, the CECA reaffirmed its commitment to addressing concerns voiced by students and red flags raised by the Science Society. Board Speaker Seneca Velling and SciSoc President Vaishnavy Gupta have acknowledged they firmly believe that the "CECA is committed to transparency and cares about student concerns." They also highlighted how "the Science Society will be working closer with CECA to make sure issues like this can be avoided in the future" and thanked the department, "for a very productive meeting... [as to the] best ways to move forward."
The MNS Society will continue to release updated information from the Science Society as we receive it. We thank everyone who participated in our Survey, the information you shared is very valuable to your student government and to the CECA. We thank the CECA for being receptive and keen to address student concerns.