A recent study conducted by the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association (OCUFA) indicates that 62 per cent of students and 76 per cent of faculty members feel the pandemic has negatively impacted the quality of education and the students’ general education experience. 

Out of the 502 university respondents, around 47 per cent say that they were highly negatively impacted while 15 per cent say that they were moderately negatively impacted. 

Although the survey was conducted among university students, the results for college students are likely to be similar as the transition to online learning is a new experience for many. 

In addition to being concerned about the quality of education, students are also concerned about mental health and their financial strains, all while trying to keep on top of their schoolwork. 

85 per cent of students agree that the pandemic has made it more difficult for them to participate in extracurricular activities and 77 per cent of students say that accessing learning resources has become more challenging.  

As a result of these factors, 52 per cent of students have agreed that their educational experience for this school year is worse than last year. 

On the other hand, faculty members have also reported struggling with challenges including social isolation, stress, and a lack of support. Around 59 per cent agreed that the pandemic has highly negatively impacted their experience, with the main reasons being less engagement and increased workload. 

Similar to students, faculty members are also worried about their role in teaching students and facing mental health challenges. The report indicated that 63 per cent are concerned with their ability to adequately teach the material in a new environment, while 55 per cent are concerned with the effects on their mental health. 

Although faculty members and students face similar challenges, some results indicate a difference between both groups’ experiences. For example, 11 per cent more students have stated that the pandemic is the most important issue currently facing universities, whereas faculty members have reported being more satisfied with the health and safety measures implemented by their respective universities. However, results also indicate that more students (33 per cent) were exposed to the virus on campus than off-campus compared to faculty members (7 per cent). 

Due to the current challenges, more students are demanding change to occur throughout and after the pandemic. The most popular demands are reducing tuition fees, providing more online course options when physical class options are unavailable, adjusting workload and providing more student support, and supplying personal protective equipment (PPE) when on-campus courses resume. Meanwhile, for faculty members, changes include more support and resources, addressing the challenges with an increased workload, and smaller class sizes.