News from the Trent University Board of Governors Meeting: March 23, 2018
Highlights include: establishment of IESS Institute, Community Building, and Trent Lands Plan Update
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, Peterborough
The Trent Board of Governors met on March 23, 2018 at the University’s Durham GTA campus in Oshawa, continuing the Board’s practice of holding one of its regularly-scheduled meetings at the Durham GTA campus each year.
A special luncheon was held by the Board at this meeting and welcomed members of Trent Durham GTA faculty, staff and student leaders as guests. Over lunch, the group enjoyed a presentation by Mr. Joe Muldoon, head of Trent Durham GTA and Professor Alba Agostino, highlighting the new Child and Youth Studies program at Trent Durham.
Establishment of Indigenous Environmental Studies & Science Institute
On the recommendation of Senate, the Board approved the establishment of the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences (IESS) Institute at Trent University. The Institute’s mission is to address the academic, public, and private demand for infusing Western scientific methods with traditional ecological knowledge. Building on the Indigenous Environmental Studies program at Trent, which is unique in Canada, the Institute will position Trent as a leader internationally in developing new ways to bridge different knowledge systems to address environmental and community challenges.
Indigenous Community Initiatives
Building on the launch of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, and the decision in 2017 to require all students at Trent to take a half credit course with Indigenous content, the Board approved various initiatives to engage with and support Indigenous communities, and advance reconciliation. Highlights include:
- The University will recognize the local Mississauga Anishnaabe communities as traditional occupants of this region through such initiatives as information plaques and naming of on-campus spaces.
- Formation of an Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Council to provide advice to the University on matters of tradition, culture and protocol.
- Supporting Trent staff and faculty to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the traditional territory and Indigenous peoples, including employee orientation and the development of a protocol handbook.
Trent Lands Plan Update
The Board also approved several recommendations and initiatives to update the Trent Lands Plan, including:
- Expand the scope of the Trent Lands Plan to include the Nature Areas to enable an integrated planning approach with an ecosystem perspective.
- Undertake an update of the 2002 Trent Nature Areas Stewardship Plan.
- In conjunction with the Nature Areas plan update, direct administration to conduct a full cycle of environmental and archaeological studies for the Trent lands prior to public engagement around further development possibilities.
Reappointment of Governor Armand La Barge
During the meeting, Governor Armand La Barge was reappointed for a second three-year term commencing July 1, 2018 through to June 30, 2021. Over the course of Governor La Barge’s first term, he chaired both the Endowment Lands Committee and the Endowment Lands Governance Task Force. This year, Governor La Barge has assumed the chair of the Finance and Property Committee.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
Kate Weersink, communications and media relations officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or kateweersink@trentu.ca