Trent Triumphs!

By Bonnie President, President and Vice-Chancellor

As the first year of this new century draws to a close, I look back with pride on Trent's truly remarkable accomplishments. It is of course, our Trent University community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who make our success possible.

In 2000 we have increased student enrolment, created important new partnerships, and seen our faculty's outstanding record in the field of research again recognized nationally. We have mounted a successful fund-raising campaign that has raised more than 80 per cent of its goal. We have won national honours for our Web site. Our Chancellor, Peter Gzowski, has hosted two high-profile dialogues on matters of significance: the "brain drain" debate, and the value of a liberal arts education in today's high-tech economy.

With admissions up more than 6 per cent over a year ago, Trent has exceeded the average growth rate of all other Ontario universities‹proving that our academic programs and more personal style of education are what students prefer. A national first ranking in Maclean's 2000 Value Added category for "going the distance" with our students is further acknowledgement that everything we do helps our students reach their full potential.

We should also be very pleased that Trent faculty members have been given top marks in the Macleanıs rankings for the number of science research grants won by faculty and the number of full-time faculty winning national awards. Faculty awards in social science and humanities research continue to rank in the top 30 per cent. As one of Canada's smallest universities, we have outperformed every other university in the primarily undergraduate category across Canada, attracting several million dollars for research.

Trent research will also be strengthened with the allocation of six new research chairs representing $6.7 million in new funding over the next five years. We can also be proud of securing six new three-year grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC); funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI); and, a Major Facilities Access (MFA) grant of $193,000 to our researchers in support of Trentıs Water Quality Centre. Congratulations all.

Kudos, too, for Trent faculty and staff, who after five years of planning, this year obtained approval for the creation of a joint Trent / Carleton doctorate program in Canadian Studies‹the first interdisciplinary doctoral program in Canadian Studies in this country. Documentation has been submitted to the ministry seeking its eligibility for funding.

Another new program, and partnership, was created recently when our proposal with Sir Sandford Fleming College to jointly offer a baccalaureate in nursing was approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. It will begin in September 2001. The new program is an important initiative, not only for Trent and our partner, but also for the future of health care in the community.

Link 2000, our joint information technology initiative with Sir Sandford Fleming, is also nearing completion. Funded under the Ontario Government's SuperBuild 11 program, Link 2000 establishes a high-speed link between our two schools and increases our technology resources. As one student told me recently, the improved computer facilities in the Bata Library are already making a "fabulous" difference.

A mid-year highlight was the capital cash infusion of $26.23 million under the Ontario Government's SuperBuild program. This, combined with the $2.81 shared with Sir Sandford Fleming for Link 2000 and our own fiscal recovery plan, brings the university closer to a solid financial footing in its operating budgets.

And of course we are getting ready to move forward with a revitalized campus. Consultation is continuing on the exercise to update the 35-year-old campus plan developed by the late architect Ronald Thom. Input from many individuals in the community, as well as our many reference groups, has been a strong factor in the direction we will take. The revised Master Plan, which will ensure protection of natural and conservation areas on Symons Campus, will be ready for Board approval in late January, following completion of the consultation process. The planned expansion of our Symons Campus will improve student access to services and facilities and provide more opportunities to enhance interdisciplinary studies.

This is a time of significant change and innovation, not just at Trent but in education in general. I truly believe we can secure our future in todayıs competitive environment without loosing sight of the best that Trent has to offer. After all, look what we accomplished this year!

Thanks to all of you for your concerted efforts to make 2000 an incredibly remarkable year. Let's build on these next year!