Does the University of Alberta allow graduate exams to be "fixed" so students will fail?

From my Ph.D. experience, it appears this is the case. You be the judge.

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I was a Ph.D. graduate student in the Department of Geography at the University of Alberta between 1986 and 1988. My field of research involved computer cartography, satellite image processing and geographic information systems. While working on my Ph.D. at the University of Alberta, I also completed a masters degree at another university, achieved first class grades in graduate level geography and engineering courses, and taught introductory physical geography labs.

My Ph.D. program came to a very unexpected, painfully abrupt, end as a result of the events related to my Ph.D. candidacy examination. University of Alberta records indicate I failed the examination. However, according to a sworn legal statement, provided by Dr. E.R. Reinhelt, University of Alberta Professor Emeritus, a member of my candidacy examination committee, I actually passed the examination by a 4 to 1 vote. For reasons completely unknown to me, Dr. Ronald Eyton, my supervisor, was apparently instrumental in having my passing grade overturned.

I have tried for years to have my University of Alberta records show that I passed my candidacy examination. Despite evidence of procedural irregularities and Dr. Reinhelt's sworn legal statement, the University of Alberta continues to refuse to give me my passing grade. According to an interoffice memorandum obtained from the Access and Privacy Advisor of the University of Alberta Information and Privacy Office, it appears Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research does not wish to re-open the case.

Recently, when I contacted the Honourable Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister, Alberta Learning, for help, I was advised the University of Alberta had conducted an internal review of my examination. According to Honourable Dr. Oberg, the University of Alberta found no irregularities in my examination. Although Honourable Dr. Oberg was apparently advised that a review of the examination had been conducted by the University of Alberta in 1994, obtaining details regarding the review has been very difficult.

According to the Access and Privacy Advisor of the University of Alberta Information and Privacy Office, a search by several departments of the University of Alberta failed to reveal any records directly relating to the 1994 examination review. According to the Access and Privacy Advisor, apparently the University of Alberta has no copies of the review, no correspondence and material relating to the review, and specifically no correspondence and other communication with the individual members of the examination committee regarding the review.

However, according to the Access and Privacy Advisor of the University of Alberta Information and Privacy Office, apparently Dr. E.L. Jackson, the Associate Chair of the Department of Geography, conducted the examination review, with the review of the process being done in the office of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR).

In addition to apparently never advising me of the review, it appears, the University of Alberta never contacted all the members of my examination committee to find out what happened. The review of my candidacy examination appears to have been carried out without input from several key committee members.

As I understand, Dr. Reinhelt and Dr. Val Noronha are two examination committee members who were not participants in the 1994 examination review. According to Dr. Reinhelt, both he and Dr. Noronha voted to pass me. Apparently, they also both refused to comply with Dr. Eyton's demands the committee fail me, after the 4 to 1 vote to pass me had been announced by Dr. Fairbairn.

As I understand, Dr. Noronha does not believe the official University of Alberta record of my candidacy examination, signed by both Dr. K.J. Fairbairn, Chairman, Candidacy Examining Committee, and Dr. M.J. Hodgson, Chairman, Department of Geography, provides a balanced account of the examination.

Dr. Eyton's actions appear to have contravened University of Alberta policies and procedures. According to the 1987 University of Alberta, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR), Manual of Policies and Procedures from Administering Graduate Programs, "The supervisor shall not only guide and encourage the student, but also monitor the quality of the student's performance and be responsible for informing the student if performance in course or research falls below the required standard." (Section 10.05 Functions of the Supervisor and Supervisory Committee, p.59)

Apparently, Dr. Eyton was also responsible for ensuring the candidacy examination was carried out properly. This seems ironic given what apparently happened at the examination and Dr. Eyton's apparent desire to have me failed. According to the FGSR, "The candidacy examination is arranged by the supervisor (or some other officially designated staff member, AND NOT THE STUDENT, ensuring that is scheduled and held in accordance with FGSR regulations." (Section 10.20 Candidacy Committee and Examination, p.65)

Supervisor responsibilities were also detailed in the 1987 University of Alberta Calendar. According to the Calendar, "The supervisor must prepare a program of studies for the student, arrange for and attend all supervisory committee meetings and the candidate's examination, ensuring that these are scheduled and held in accordance with FGSR regulations..".(Section S4 (2), Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta 1987/88 Calendar Dr. Eyton never informed me before my candidacy examination that my performance was below the required standard. I believed he had confidence in me when he scheduled my candidacy examination.

According to Dr. Reinhelt's sworn statement, I passed my candidacy examination by a 4 to 1 vote in my favour. According to FGSR policies, "If all but one member of the committee agree on a favourable decision, the decision shall be that of the majority."(Section 10.20 Candidacy Committee and Examination, p.65)

If I failed the examination, as my University of Alberta records appear to indicate, the Department of Geography was responsible for notifying me in writing as to the outcome of the examination and the department recommendation. "If the student is not successful in the examination, the Department will inform the FGSR in writing (copy to the student) of the outcome of the examination and the department recommendation for the student's program."(Section 10.20 Candidacy Committee and Examination, p.66) The February 5, 1988 letter signed by both Dr. Fairbairn and Dr. M.J. Hodgson, Chairman, Department of Geography, advising the FGSR I had failed my candidacy examination was not copied to me.

According to FGSR policies, "ONLY THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH CAN TERMINATE A GRADUATE STUDENT'S PROGRAM" (Section 93.5, Termination of a Student's Program, p.56), and "The decision of the FGSR will be conveyed in writing from the Dean, FGSR or his representative to the student and the Department Chairman." (Section 9.38 Response to a Department's Recommendation for Termination, p.57)

Although I have tried to have the University of Alberta correct my records, I was advised that FGSR decisions on candidacy examinations are not appealable. "Please be advised that examination decisions of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research are not appealable." (Dr. Terry Davis, Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, February 25, 1995) According to the FGSR policies, it appears that examination results can not be appealed. "An Academic Appeals Committee exists within the FGSR to assist students in the investigation of appeals, excluding marks given in individual courses and all examination results." (Section 9.34 Appeals and Grievances, p.56).

Apparently, I am not the only University of Alberta graduate student who has encountered the situation where their supervisor has voted against them, and then using their position as supervisor to attempt to sway the remainder of the committee. According to a letter written by the the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) President to Dr. Doug Owram, Vice President (Academic), University of Alberta, "A recent case was brought to the attention of the GSA where this occurred and the situation could have been very problematic if not for the intervention of one of the Associate Deans of the FGSR". The GSA President has asked Dr. Owram's office to outline a policy and set procedures should such a situation occur in the future.

I deeply regret going to the University of Alberta to study for a Ph.D. I wasted two years of my life, spent thousands of dollars, and forfeited opportunities to study at the University of Waterloo and Pennsylvania State University.

Although, the University of Alberta has promoted itself as a university receiving 3M Teaching Fellowships for excellence in education, I would never have gone to the University of Alberta if I had known what I would experience there.

Had a Bad University of Alberta Experience?

If you encountered problems at the University of Alberta, I would like to hear from you. Other former students at the University of Alberta have come forward claiming to have been adversely affected by my former supervisor. I truly wish someone had warned me about Dr. Eyton before I attended the Department of Geography at the University of Alberta.

If you want more information, please contact me at: fairgrade@yahoo.com

Fairgrade.com Contact Information Here.