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Mission statement
Trent University aspires to be Canada’s outstanding small university,
known for its commitment to liberal undergraduate education in the humanities,
social sciences and natural sciences and to the centrality of the individual student.
Within a collegial setting the University offers undergraduate and graduate programs,
both traditional and inter-disciplinary, which seek to advance learning
through the creative interaction of teaching and research of the highest quality.
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Download PDF of 2008-2009 Academic Calendar

Office of the Registrar
Blackburn Hall
Trent University
1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 7B8

Phone: (705) 748-1215 • 1-888-739-8885 • Fax: (705) 748-1629
liaison@trentu.ca
www.trentu.ca
Published by Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
2008

Learning to Make a World of Difference.

Dear Trent Students:

At Trent University, a world of opportunity awaits you. Whether you are attending Trent for the first time or returning for another year of study, it is here that you will benefit from having access to some of Canada’s best teachers and most innovative researchers as well as from being exposed to a wide variety of academic courses that will deeply impact your way of thinking.

This academic calendar is your personal guide to exploring such opportunities. I encourage you to read the information thoroughly and examine the wide range of topics and courses available to you.

At Trent, we pride ourselves on our interdisciplinary approach to learning and on our ability to provide you, our students, with the chance to create an academic program that is as unique as you are. Our undergraduate course offerings are extensive and diverse – offering each student the opportunity to explore a multitude of program options in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. We also offer competitive professional programs in education, business, nursing and forensic science. Combine all this with our ever-expanding and groundbreaking graduate programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels and you can see why Trent has gained a reputation for being one of Canada’s best universities.

As a Trent student, you will learn that this University is dedicated to your individual success. Through the expertise of our dedicated and award-winning faculty, our intimate and interactive learning environments, and the wide variety of innovative and hands-on research and field work opportunities, Trent equips you with the tools you’ll need to become a socially-conscious, engaged thinker, ready to make a difference in the world when you graduate.

As you move forward in your Trent education, I encourage you to make the most out of your educational career. Take this calendar home, discuss your options with friends and family or your favourite professor and explore a variety of opportunities as you continue on your journey toward a rewarding and influential future. We will be here to help guide you along the way.

Sincerely,

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Bonnie M. Patterson
President and Vice-Chancellor

About Trent

Trent University is located in Peterborough, Ontario, 90 minutes northeast of Toronto and about three hours from Ottawa. The University’s main campus, the Symons Campus sits on a 580-hectare property, much of it preserved as nature areas, along both banks of the Otonabee River at the northern edge of the city. Currently, the University also has a campus in downtown Peterborough, and one in Oshawa in partnership with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College.
Trent was born out of years of planning by public-spirited citizens of Peterborough. An Academic Planning Committee and a Campus Planning Committee were formed after T.H.B. Symons was appointed president-designate in 1961, and the University was formally created by the Ontario Legislature in April 1963. Trent opened its doors to its first students in September 1964. In 1967, the late Leslie M. Frost, former Premier of Ontario, was elected first Chancellor of the University. The University was admitted to full membership in the Association of Colleges and Universities of Canada in 1968.
The University opened with two downtown residential colleges and a teaching and administrative complex. The core of what is now the Symons Campus was donated by GE Canada, and has provided Trent with an uncommonly beautiful setting in which to develop its facilities. Guided by master planning architect, the late Ronald J. Thom, a long-range plan was devised. Today the Symons Campus is home to five residential colleges, the main library, three science buildings, a First Peoples House of Learning, a child care facility and central administrative offices, along with recreational facilities which include an athletics complex, playing fields, tennis courts and rowing facilities. A new DNA teaching and research facility opened in the fall of 2006. In addition to the residential colleges, part-time study is offered through the Julian Blackburn College.
Now in its forty-fifth teaching year, the University has approximately 6,137 undergraduates in the full-time program, and 1,409 part-time students.
In addition, there are 108 Master’s degree candidates and 237 Ph.D. candidates.
Recognized as one of Canada’s top universities, Trent University is consistently renowned for striking a unique balance between excellence in research and a commitment to teaching.

Trent’s Residential Colleges
Trent’s residential colleges are central to the organizational structure of the University and to the intellectual and social experience of Trent students. All Trent students, whether they decide to live in residence or not, are affiliated with one of Trent’s colleges. Over the years, each of the colleges has developed its own unique character, creating for Trent students a variety of distinct communities.
For students who choose to live in residence, the colleges provide all the resources and facilities necessary for comfortable on-campus living. For those who live off-residence, the colleges are focal points of social and cultural activity.

Interactive Learning
Trent University stresses the importance and the value of a liberal education, and is committed to ensuring, through a general emphasis on interactive learning, that each student has the opportunity to pursue fields of interest intensively and with ample access to the University’s teaching resources. 85% of first- and second-year classes have fewer than 60 students and 95% of third- and fourth-year classes have fewer than 60 students.

Using the Calendar

The Trent University Calendar exists in two versions, this online version and a print version. The contents of the two versions are identical. To view this document in an accessible format, please visit www.trentu.ca/calendar/TrentCalendar0809.pdf.
The University reserves the right to make changes after the publication of this Calendar in a number of areas including, but not limited to: new faculty appointments or departures; courses, including withdrawal of courses listed as being offered; policies and procedures related to applications, admissions and registration for new and returning students; regulations; degree requirements; fee structure; academic schedule.
It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with the specific requirements for the degree or diploma which they seek. While advice and counselling are readily available, it is the students’ responsibility to ensure that the courses in which they register fulfill their program requirements.

Goals, Objectives, Rights and Responsibilities

Statement of Goals

To create a teaching, learning, research and living environment fundamentally committed to the promotion of free inquiry and expression.
To offer a distinctive, excellent and continually evolving teaching program that responds to the needs of an increasingly diverse full and part-time student body.
To provide educational programs which encourage students to think critically, creatively, constructively and to communicate their ideas effectively, as well as instilling a curiosity that engenders lifelong learning.
To sustain and enhance opportunities for research and scholarly activity of the highest standard.
To recognize and take advantage of our relatively small size, flexibility and experience to foster opportunities for creative interaction between academic departments and programs, teaching and research, colleges and academic activities and among our faculty, staff and students.
To develop, in the pursuit of the advancement of learning, mutually beneficial partnerships and linkages with universities, colleges, schools and other public and private sector institutions and organizations, including our alumni.
To encourage intellectual and cultural sensibility, adaptability, leadership, mutual respect, an ethical conscience, global (or international) perspectives and environmental sensitivity among all members of the Trent community.

Institutional Objectives

Recruit and retain students from within and beyond Canada who will benefit from Trent’s programs and who will contribute to university life.
Provide an appropriate range and sequence of undergraduate courses and programs in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and interdisciplinary fields to ensure a truly liberal education rooted in a strong institutional commitment to undergraduate teaching.
Develop new opportunities for small group teaching and individualized learning.
Create and sustain a range of interdisciplinary graduate programs that will reinforce the goal of liberal education, have linkages with our undergraduate departments and programs and provide all faculty with graduate teaching and research opportunities.
Employ and retain excellent faculty who contribute actively to the advancement of learning through teaching, research, service and professional development.
Employ and retain excellent academic and administrative support staff and ensure adequate opportunities for their professional development.
Create and sustain an environment (intellectual, physical, fiscal and social) that advances learning through quality teaching and research while encouraging respect, tolerance and sensitivity.

Rights and Responsibilities

Every member of Trent University – faculty, staff or student – has a right to freedom from discrimination in the University by another faculty, staff or student member because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or handicap. (For details, please consult Trent’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment).
Trent University recognizes its responsibility to those of its students, faculty and staff with disabilities. It undertakes to ensure access to its academic programs and physical facilities, short of undue hardship, while protecting the academic integrity of the University.
Trent University is a smoke-free institution.

Trent University manages personal information of individuals in accordance with University policies on the protection of personal privacy and applicable legislation.

Disclaimer

No liability shall be incurred by Trent University for loss or damage suffered or incurred by any student or third party as a result of delays, suspension or termination of services, courses or classes or other academic activities by reason of natural disasters, civil unrest or disobedience, labour disputes, work stoppages, strikes, lockouts, financial exigency, restrictive laws or governmental regulations, inability to procure materials or trades, weather, utility interruptions, damage to University property, or other happenings or occurrences beyond the reasonable control of Trent University.

University Diary

Summer Session 2008 (For Summer session deadlines, see below)

May	2	Friday	Final date for receipt of grades for incompletes and Letter of Permission courses for those planning to convocate on June 4, 5 and 6
	19	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Victoria Day”
	30	Friday	Final date for advance payment towards residence fees by continuing students
			Final date for receipt of applications and supporting documentation for full-time admission to Trent University
June	4–6		Convocation
	6	Friday	Final date to request Summer session Letters of Permission
	20	Friday	Final date for receipt of grades for incomplete standing from the Fall/Winter session
July	1	Tuesday	Statutory Holiday: “Canada Day”; University closed
	7	Monday	Final date for grade appeals for full and Winter half courses
			Final date for receipt of appeals against academic penalties
August	4	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Civic Holiday”
	5	Tuesday	Final date to request Fall/Winter session Letters of Permission
			Final date for receipt of applications, registration forms and supporting documentation from new & re-admit part-time applicants for admission
			Deadline for Official Registration for continuing students
	15	Friday	First instalment of fees is due for all students (under review)

Fall Session 2008

Aug	25	Monday	Start of classes (tentative) for B.Ed. students
Sept	1	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Labour Day” Arrival of new students
	2	Tuesday	Introductory Seminar Week begins for students at the Peterborough Campus
	5	Friday	Final date for new student registration Final date for receipt of Application to graduate for Fall eligibility
	8	Monday	Classes begin Beginning of formal course change period
	12	Friday	Final date for full-time re-admit and transfer students to register
	19	Friday	Final date for Summer session academic appeals Final date for receipt of grades for Letter of Permission courses from Summer session Final date for receipt of applications for “Returning Full-time, New and Returning JBC Student bursaries” Faculty Board Meeting Final date to change or add Fall half and full courses on myTrent
	23	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
	26	Friday	Final date for registration with late registration fee Final date to change or add Fall half courses with permission Final date for students to notify the Office of the Registrar of their wish to observe their cultural or religious holidays during scheduled examination periods Final date to drop to part-time status without financial penalty Final date to drop Fall courses and receive any refund (Part-time students and Full-time Oshawa students)
	30	Tuesday	Final date for receipt of grades for incomplete standing from Summer session
Oct.	13	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Thanksgiving Day”
	17	Friday	Faculty Board meeting
	18	Saturday	Classes end
	20	Monday	Residential Reading and Laboratory Week begins
	27	Monday	Classes resume Final date to change or add full courses with permission
	28	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
Nov.	7	Friday	Final date for withdrawal from Fall half courses without academic penalty Last date to receive a refund for dropping fall/winter courses – no refunds after this date
	14	Friday	Final date to request Letters of Permission for courses beginning January, 2009 Faculty Board meeting
Dec.	2	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
	5	Friday	Last day of classes Final date for receipt of applications and supporting documentation from new and re-admit part-time applicants for admission to the University for Winter term courses Faculty Board meeting
	8	Monday	Scheduled mid-term test and Fall half course final examination period begins (Peterborough)
	10-14		Scheduled mid-term test and Fall half course final examination period (Oshawa)
	10	Wednesday	Tuition fees for January start courses due Tuition fees due in full for new students starting University in January
	20	Saturday	Mid-term test and Fall half course final examination period ends, 10:30pm
	21	Sunday	College residences close for Peterborough Campus students
	23	Tuesday	Winter Vacation and Reading Period begins (check department websites for service hours)
	25	Thursday	Statutory Holiday: “Christmas Day”
	26	Friday	Statutory Holiday: “Boxing Day”

Winter Session 2009

Jan.	1	Thursday	Statutory Holiday: “New Year’s Day”
	4	Sunday	College residences open for Peterborough Campus students
	5	Monday	Classes resume
	15	Thursday	Second instalment of fees is due
	16	Friday	Faculty Board meeting Final date to change or add Winter half courses on myTrent
	20	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
	23	Friday	Final date to change or add Winter half courses with permission Final date to register in Winter half courses Final date to receive a refund for dropping Winter courses
	30	Friday	Final date for receipt of Application to graduate for Spring Convocation Final date for receipt of applications for all second session bursaries listed in Calendar
Feb.	6	Friday	Faculty Board meeting
	10	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate Final date for withdrawal from full year Fall/Winter session courses without academic penalty
	14	Saturday	Classes end
	16	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Family Day” Residential Reading and Laboratory Week begins
	23	Monday	Classes resume
	24	Tuesday	T2202A and T4A Forms are mailed
	27	Friday	Final date for submitting grades for incomplete standing from Fall session half-courses
Mar.	6	Friday	Faculty Board meeting Final date for withdrawal from Winter session half courses without academic penalty
	9	Monday	Final date for academic appeals for Fall half courses
	10	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
	TBA		Deadline for application for continuing students seeking residence
Apr.	3	Friday	Classes end Faculty Board meeting
	7	Tuesday	Meeting of the Senate
	8	Wednesday	Examinations begin for Winter half and full courses (Peterborough)
	9	Thursday	Application deadline to transfer from part-time to full-time studies
	10	Friday	Statutory Holiday: “Good Friday”
	13–17		Examination period for Winter half and full courses (Oshawa)
	24	Friday	B.Ed. Students’ end of Practicum (tentative)
	25	Saturday	Examinations end for Winter half and full courses, 10:30 pm
	26	Sunday	College residences close

Summer Session 2009

May	1	Friday	Final date for receipt of grades for incompletes and Letter of Permission courses for those planning to convocate on June 3, 4, and 5
	18	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Victoria Day”
	22	Friday	Final date for advance payment toward residence fees by continuing students
	27	Wednesday	Final date to request Summer session Letters of Permission Final date for receipt of applications and supporting documentation for full-time admission
June	3–5		Convocation
	29	Monday	Final date for receipt of grades for incomplete standing from the Fall/Winter session
July	1	Wednesday	Statutory Holiday: “Canada Day”; University closed
	6	Monday	Final date for grade appeals for full and Winter half courses Final date for receipt of appeals against academic penalties
August	3	Monday	Statutory Holiday: “Civic Holiday”
	4	Tuesday	Final date to request Fall/Winter session Letters of Permission Final date for receipt of applications, registration forms and supporting documentation from new & re-admit part-time applicants for admission First instalment of fees is due for all students (under review) Deadline for Official Registration for continuing students

Important Deadlines

Summer Session Deadlines 2008

	8 week term	12 week term	6 week term
Final date for receipt of applications for admission or re-admission with supporting documentation	April 14	April 14	June 16
Final date for all students to register without a late registration fee	April 18	April 18	June 16
Classes begin	April 28	April 28	July 2
Final date for all students to register with late registration fee.	May 16	May 16	July 4
Final date to add courses	May 16	May 16	July 4
Final date for academic withdrawal	May 30	June 6	July 18
Classes end	June 23	July 21/22	August 13
Examination period begins*	June 25	July 23/24	August 18
* These are full course dates only. Students are advised to consult the course description for the exact date of their final examination. Note: (1) Fees for Summer Session courses are due upon registration; late payments will be charged a $75 late fee. (2) Where a deadline falls on a weekend, the following Monday will apply. Please consult the Summer session brochure, available through Julian Blackburn College, for specific dates for half-courses offered in the above terms.

Summer Session Deadlines 2009

	8 week term	12 week term	6 week term
Final date for receipt of applications for admission or re-admission with supporting documentation	April 13	April 13	June 15
Final date for all students to register without a late registration fee	April 17	April 17	June 19
Classes begin	April 27	April 27	July 2
Final date for all students to register with late registration fee.	May 15	May 15	July 3
Final date to add courses	May 15	May 15	July 3
Final date for academic withdrawal	May 29	June 5	July 17
Classes end	June 22	July 20/21	August 12
Examination period begins*	June 24	July 22/23	August 17
* These are full course dates only. Students are advised to consult the course description for the exact date of their final examination.

Note:

(1) Fees for Summer Session courses are due upon registration; late payments will be charged a $75 late fee.
(2) Where a deadline falls on a weekend, the following Monday will apply. Please consult the Summer session brochure, available through Julian Blackburn College, for specific dates for half-courses offered in the above terms.

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