Course Syllabuses
Well it looks like OCAD is going to make me jump through a couple of hoops in order to exempt myself from their mandatory liberal arts courses. A few weeks ago it was brought to my attention that even though I was awarded advanced standing into their second year I still need to go through the separate process of gaining exemption from their first year English and Art History courses. As a graduate from UofT with a B.A. in English and Art History I don't see much reason in paying $1500 for 3 half year courses I've already specialized in, so I'm trying to opt out of them.
One would think that by sending transcripts alone through the simple process of applying to OCAD would suffice in proving my experience, but it isn't so. I was at first instructed to gather up and fax all my information, including copies of my transcripts and course descriptions of all the courses I've taken that would prove my educational background. I ended up faxing a 17 page document to them and received a response from them saying that I was now eligible to be considered for course exemption...once I follow up with the next step of re-submitting all my original transcripts and complete course syllabuses for all the courses I've taken that show I do not require further instruction in said fields.
I decided at first to take it in stride and give them what they've asked for, except today when I actually went to UofT and curiously asked for assistance from my former departments I wasn't able to get much. I was told by both the Fine Art Faculty and the English Department that they don't regularly keep records of old Syllabuses on records, because it's never been required for transfer credits. The woman at the English Dept thought the requests being made by OCAD were "ludicrous" and that from my transcripts alone they should glean all the information they need. Needless to say I wasn't able to get any syllabuses from her. At least the secretary at the Fine Art Dept took pity on me and provided me with the 100-level course outline. She told me that more and more students have been asking her for old outlines and she doesn't really know how to service those requests because it's never been required before. She suggested that other schools that require actual course outlines might be trying to steal some ideas.
I went home today believing I would pursue the next step of writing to OCAD and asking for further explanation in this case. Lo and Behold, an email was already waiting for me from them, complaining about the fact that they had been receiving too many calls and emails already about the issue and to reiterate:
"The Faculty of Liberal Studies has received a large amount of emails and phone calls so to avoid having to repeat themselves they have suggested that I send the following information. Please read it carefully and if you feel you fit the category you may contact Leiko Shimizu as soon as possible. If not then the required courses remain as is and you should decide if you want to take them this summer or during the academic year, in which case you can contact me.
If you feel you have already completed a fairly thorough background in art history, you may be eligible to take the following course below instead of LBST 1B03 & LBST 1B06 (with permission from the Liberal Studies office). This course is worth 0.5 credit and if you successfully complete it you will be required to make up 0.5 credit in VISC later (unless you receive a VISC through transfer of credit)"
This doesn't really clear up anything for me and I'm still going to email them. I'm just feeling really confused about what they want from me. I feel I should ask them why they don't already have a copy of my transcript to begin with from my OUAC application and just what I am supposed to do if I don't have access to course outlines from several years ago. If these courses offer anything that I haven't already taken or been exposed to and they refreshen my mind then by all means I will take them, but I refuse to take these courses again based on a technicality.
One would think that by sending transcripts alone through the simple process of applying to OCAD would suffice in proving my experience, but it isn't so. I was at first instructed to gather up and fax all my information, including copies of my transcripts and course descriptions of all the courses I've taken that would prove my educational background. I ended up faxing a 17 page document to them and received a response from them saying that I was now eligible to be considered for course exemption...once I follow up with the next step of re-submitting all my original transcripts and complete course syllabuses for all the courses I've taken that show I do not require further instruction in said fields.
I decided at first to take it in stride and give them what they've asked for, except today when I actually went to UofT and curiously asked for assistance from my former departments I wasn't able to get much. I was told by both the Fine Art Faculty and the English Department that they don't regularly keep records of old Syllabuses on records, because it's never been required for transfer credits. The woman at the English Dept thought the requests being made by OCAD were "ludicrous" and that from my transcripts alone they should glean all the information they need. Needless to say I wasn't able to get any syllabuses from her. At least the secretary at the Fine Art Dept took pity on me and provided me with the 100-level course outline. She told me that more and more students have been asking her for old outlines and she doesn't really know how to service those requests because it's never been required before. She suggested that other schools that require actual course outlines might be trying to steal some ideas.
I went home today believing I would pursue the next step of writing to OCAD and asking for further explanation in this case. Lo and Behold, an email was already waiting for me from them, complaining about the fact that they had been receiving too many calls and emails already about the issue and to reiterate:
"The Faculty of Liberal Studies has received a large amount of emails and phone calls so to avoid having to repeat themselves they have suggested that I send the following information. Please read it carefully and if you feel you fit the category you may contact Leiko Shimizu as soon as possible. If not then the required courses remain as is and you should decide if you want to take them this summer or during the academic year, in which case you can contact me.
If you feel you have already completed a fairly thorough background in art history, you may be eligible to take the following course below instead of LBST 1B03 & LBST 1B06 (with permission from the Liberal Studies office). This course is worth 0.5 credit and if you successfully complete it you will be required to make up 0.5 credit in VISC later (unless you receive a VISC through transfer of credit)"
This doesn't really clear up anything for me and I'm still going to email them. I'm just feeling really confused about what they want from me. I feel I should ask them why they don't already have a copy of my transcript to begin with from my OUAC application and just what I am supposed to do if I don't have access to course outlines from several years ago. If these courses offer anything that I haven't already taken or been exposed to and they refreshen my mind then by all means I will take them, but I refuse to take these courses again based on a technicality.