Just as the Maclean's survey has grown in popularity and sophistication, so too have other accountability tools to measure the post-secondary sector's performance. In 2001, an independent report by The Impact Group revealed Trent is number-one among all primarily undergraduate universities in Canada for garnering new research. The same study confirmed Trent had moved from 36th spot on a national ranking to 30th spot in one year for obtaining research funds. This summer, the Laurier School of Business and Economics examined universities' accountability disclosure practices and reported that Trent University had moved its financial disclosure accountability ranking from 36th place to 7th in one year. This measure does not focus exclusively on the academic side of our university's operations and it is a tribute to the superb work of our administrative staff who do so much to support student learning. It validates the importance that's been placed on transparency and accountability as measured for public consumption. Trent's own key performance indicators round out the findings of the many external studies we willingly participate in. Third party survey results confirm that over 94 per cent of our graduates are employed six months after graduation; after two years, this figure rises to 97 per cent. While we are not complacent about these figures we are generally pleased to see so many Trent graduates emerge as full contributing members of society. This performance and our ability to report on our graduates' success have become important to the university's bottom line as the province increasingly ties funding to performance outcomes. Trent has embraced these new expectations for public accountability and external studies show that our operations are indeed more transparent. As both the post-secondary environment and our organization evolve, Trent is embarking on a new era of unprecedented growth and success. Through the province's SuperBuild program we will experience the benefits of over $31 million in much needed capital investments as we prepare to receive 1,295 additional students in the next three years as a result of the elimination of grade 13. More success stories abound. Trent's Beyond Our Walls capital campaign exceeded its campaign goal and raised $17.2 million. Our operating budget was balanced for the first time in five years. Through rigorous processes of peer review, Trent professors continue to be recognized for their world class research. Recently, Professor Donald Mackay, this year's winner of the prestigious Honda Award, received a special award of excellence from NSERC and was selected as one of three finalists for the 2001 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal. These are the successes that are real and tangible and remind us about our sense of purpose as a centre of arts and science excellence. While the Maclean's surveys, questionnaires, performance indicators and awards remain important the most reliable measure we can take stock of is the immeasurable interactions between our dedicated faculty and students in our classrooms and labs. To them, we owe our national reputation. |
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Last updated November 23, 2001