The Faculty of Engineering and Design’s Undergraduate Academic Support Office (ASO) wants students to know that it is still here for them during these challenging times.
More than a month into working from home, ASO staff are continuing to provide an array of support services to students despite the shift to remote operations.
Landon Adams is a Registrarial Assistant at the ASO, which normally operates out of its main office on the ground floor of Carleton’s Minto Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering. As a front-line staff member, students usually see him the first time they visit the office. Adams helps with course selection, answers questions about program requirements, helps with registration, and helps students file for special requests. All of these services are still available amidst the transition to online support.
“All of our regular services are being offered, just though an online format. We’re all ready and happy to help students, especially right now.”
Landon Adams, Registrarial Assistant, Engineering and Design Undergraduate Academic Support Office
Adams says that being a university student has its challenges under normal circumstances, so being in this challenging time brings even more questions and uncertainties.
“Our role has always been to be a source of answers, options and solutions. We are continuing to provide that reassurance to students, even during the transition.”
Despite the switch to a virtual office, Adams says the team is working together better than ever.
“The switch to online has really united our team in finding new ways to provide thoughtful and genuinely helpful support to our students.”
William Zoratto, a First-Year Student Experience Administrator with the ASO, works closely with students during the year and the transition to online isn’t stopping him from making those connections. Instead, he has been taking meetings with first-year students through cuLearn’s Big Blue Button.
According to Zoratto, a major benefit of online interaction is the written correspondence that students can refer back to, in case they need to remember important details. As for Big Blue Button, it provides a more personal exchange which is essential when creating a course plan with students.
“As someone who was a Carleton engineering student not too long ago, I remember all the issues I would face as a student at any point during a semester,” Zoratto says. “Now with COVID-19, I can only imagine how much more challenging it is for students.”
William Zoratto, First-Year Coordinator, Engineering and Design Undergraduate Academic Support Office
The ASO adjusted quickly to the challenges of operating remotely through a collaborative approach. Members of the office ensure incoming emails are responded to as soon as possible or sent to the appropriate person who can best provide an answer.
Academic Support Administrator Karisa Vallee has been doing her part to make online interactions with the ASO feel as supportive and warm as their usual face-to-face ones. She is currently working on special requests, helping students with course selection, program requirements and understanding their audits.
Vallee wants students to know that the ASO’s original role hasn’t changed. They are still continuing to support students through their programs, while being especially understanding that engineering is a unique program with unique demands.
“When unique challenges and unique stresses come up, our students need to know that we’re here for them.”
Vallee says staff have also been trained to provide support in new areas, such as email monitoring, to ensure students receive the best response as fast as possible.
Members of the Engineering and Design Undergraduate Academic Support Office meeting remotely.
She also says that the ASO is continuing to think ahead of how COVID-19 will affect students, even when services transition back to normal.
“We’re forward-thinking. It’s really brought a lot of innovation to our team, we’ve been working very cohesively and everyone has been eager to help and learn how to best support our students.”
Adams, Zoratto and Vallee agree that the transition from in-person to online interaction has created a stronger ASO – one that will always be ready to tackle students questions and concerns.
The Undergraduate Academic Support Office is continuing to evolve while remaining cognizant of the upcoming 2020/21 school year as well as the summer term. It will be providing services remotely during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday).
The best way to connect with the office is by email:
General Inquiries: EngAcadSupport@cunet.carleton.ca
First Year Support: ECORSupport@cunet.carleton.ca
Students can expect a reply within 1-2 business days.
For the most up to date campus information, please visit Carleton’s COVID-19 website.
