Peter Low – The Concordian

Concordia released a statement Jan. 11 concerning the university’s decision to restructure its Chinese student recruitment policy, making it a combination of in-house and third party approaches.

Following claims from a number of Chinese international students of negative experiences with the Concordia China Student Recruitment Partner Program that came up towards the end of 2012, the administration has created a plan to move forward.

Notably, the university will be severing ties with Orchard Consultants Ltd., a company contracted by Concordia to recruit prospective students in China. The company, which was mandated to represent the university overseas, has drawn criticism as allegations of mistreatment have continued to emerge regarding the head of Orchard Consultants Ltd. and director of the CCSRPP, Peter Low.

This information initially came to light in an article published in The Link on Sept. 25.

Concordia VP Services Roger Côté told The Concordian that the “university undertook a review of interactions” in order to better understand how to improve its practices.

Côté explained that the university’s contract with Orchard would be extended until Feb. 28 so that all open files can be completed and transferred to Concordia. Following that, Orchard will no longer represent Concordia nor will it be recruiting any new applicants.

According to Côté, the focus of the new plan will be to “engage early and immediately with students.” He explained that this change came about as a result of the university administration’s realization that they needed to be more directly involved in the process.

“Over the past few months we felt we had to work alongside students more closely,” said Côté.

The so-called “blended approach” will include both internal and external recruitment strategies. This combination of on-site as well as virtual recruitment efforts will mean an increase in resources such as communication materials and staff who will recruit on behalf of the university.

Côté explained that contact with international students will be made much earlier and that it will be a priority to ensure they have all the information necessary for their transition.

The university also plans to use existing assets to bring recruitment closer to Concordia.

“We are going to hire our own students to help us,” said Côté.

Part-time e-recruiter positions will be created in order for current students to establish contact with prospective ones and create an “opportunity for student-to-student interaction.”

Once Orchard Consultants Ltd. is out of the picture, the university intends to send out a request for proposals from other agencies. Before that, Côté explained, a new set of requirements would be created with the help of several groups within the community.

“I have indicated to student leaders that I would like their input,” said Côté, referring to representatives from the Concordia Student Union and the Graduate Student Association.

CSU President Schubert Laforest said he was happy to see the university taking charge of the situation, calling the move “a step in the right direction.”

He noted that his priority would be finding a company that will act in the best interests of students.

“We really appreciate being included in the making of request requirements,” said Laforest.

He went on to say that the idea of hiring Concordia students to facilitate peer-to-peer recruitment was a positive change and that “nothing really beats having another student who is dedicated to you. It’s a more personal touch.”

The university’s working group headed by Dean of Students Andrew Woodall, which focused specifically on the issue of homestay and off-campus housing for international students, presented a list of recommendations to university administration. Côté confirmed that some of the proposed changes on the list were already being adopted to ensure the most accessible and clear information be put forth.

Since problems first came to light about the Concordia China Student Recruitment Partnership Program, Concordia’s administration handled itself very nicely.

They expressed their desire to look into the matter, they collaborated with other campus groups to form a ‘working group’, they reached out to international students and they offered to have all the documents relating to the homestay program translated into Mandarin. These were all proactive moves which indicate that the people running this institution give a damn about the welfare of students.

And then on Nov. 9, a press release was sent out most likely in response to the attention this issue has garnered by national media.

Needless to say, few were impressed with what Concordia had to say about the “miscommunication” between international students and Director of the CCSRPP Peter Low.

There have been reports surfacing about how Low requested money from international students on behalf of Concordia and then did not transfer it directly. At the same time, documents have come to light indicating that Low told students the homestay program, which is independent from Concordia, was mandatory when it is not.

In these homestays, students say they were mistreated and their accommodations were gravely misrepresented. And yet, the press release issued by our university reads: “Peter Low, […] has adhered to the highest standards while helping students from China begin their studies at Concordia.”

Seriously? Is anyone actually going to buy into that? And that’s not all.

“Mr. Low, who directs students to homestay as an option and receives no remuneration from homestay providers, has delivered to the university key correspondence with Concordia students placed in homestays [which suggests] that the complaints reported on by the media are likely the result of miscommunication.”

If this doesn’t make you feel like the administration took a huge step back, then you have not been paying close enough attention. Students may not have been wronged by Concordia University officially, but the CCSRPP represents the Concordia brand and it’s not a stretch that students would put their trust and their dollars into the hands of a man who does legitimately work for the university.

Since Low’s contract is just about up and currently under review, we were hoping Concordia would have the good sense to slash their relationship with Low’s consulting company entirely and start fresh. Instead, we get the impression that they are coming to Low’s defense in the face of widespread media criticism.

So, why can’t he stand up for himself ? As far as we know, Low has made no public comments on the issue and has chosen to hide behind Concordia.

As student press with a knowledge that merely covers the tip of the iceberg on this issue, we want Peter Low and his recruitment company to be fired. If anyone should be left out in the cold here, it should be the parties responsible for misleading and abusing students.

If the university really has students’ best interests at heart, that is the only acceptable option.