In an interview with The Journal, Christopher Bennet, a PhD candidate in gender studies, pointed out that all PhD students have had their work disrupted in one way or another. Workloads have increased across the board as TAs are relied upon more heavily throughout online learning. Many students have also been unable to complete their research due to campus closures. Bennett added that, prior to COVID-19, the average PhD student at Queen’s took five years to complete their degree, making the expectation that current students complete their degrees within four years unreasonable. READ MORE: In an email to The Journal, Dean of Graduate Studies Fahim Quadir said “the School of Graduate Studies in collaboration with Faculties, is currently constructing a 2021-22 protocol to offer additional support for graduate students facing challenges as a result of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.”