Durham learns its lessons on academic excellence
March 19, 2010 - Courtesy Metroland East Media Group.
A double dose of great news greeted local residents last week with the announcement of construction of a new $11.5-million Trent University campus in Oshawa, along with a new bursary program for female students seeking to better themselves.
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From the Board of Governors Meeting: Friday, January 29, 2010
Trent University Unveils Compelling Vision for New University Campus in Oshawa
New Trent in Oshawa Thornton Road Campus to Accommodate More Students and a Growing Range of Degree Programs and to Build on Trent’s 35 year Presence in Oshawa
Draft Layout of Trent In Oshawa building (download pdf)
From the President’s Office
Planning Initiative Launched to Define Trent’s Presence in Oshawa/Durham Region
Community and campus consultations to drive integrated planning process
Friday, July 10, 2009
A new steering committee has been created to develop a comprehensive strategy to examine how the University can differentiate its program delivery and best serve the growing demand for post-secondary education in Oshawa and the surrounding Durham Region.
The “Trent in Oshawa-Durham Region Steering Committee” will be led by Dr. Christine McKinnon, Provost and Vice President, Academic, who will also serve as the committee’s Executive Sponsor.
The committee was created as a follow-up to a decision by Trent’s Board of Governors in June 2009 to approve the acquisition of St. Michael’s Elementary School from the Durham Separate School Board.
For a number of years Trent has been constrained in growing its course offerings in Oshawa due to a lack of adequate space available at the UOIT/Durham College campus. The demand for Trent’s Oshawa programs is greater than can be currently accommodated, and is one reason why Trent has been investigating acquiring a suitable space to support future program expansion. Both UOIT and Durham College have indicated that their own space constraints would limit expansion by Trent on their campus.
The University has also entered into a long-term lease arrangement for a 3.3 acre parcel of land from the City of Oshawa, adjacent to the school.
On May 21 the City of Oshawa hosted an open house to explain the project to neighbours. On June 3rd, the Council for the City held a statutory public meeting to review the project. On June 25th, the project was discussed at the Council’s Development Services Committee where an amendment to the City’s Official Plan was recommended. The amended Official Plan was subsequently approved by Council on June 29, giving permission for the development to proceed.
The property is located at 50 Vancouver Court between the UOIT/Durham College campus and the Oshawa downtown. The facility was built in 1966 with a school addition added in 1987. The 35,000 square foot building encompasses 15 classrooms, a library, an administration office, special purpose rooms, a staff lounge, a gymnasium/common purpose space, and parking.
Phase one of the Trent plan will see the existing school facility renovated with an opening date to be determined for 2010. The steering committee will also research and make recommendations on phase two of the plan which could see the University construct a new Trent facility adjacent to the existing school.
For 35 years Trent has delivered full degree credit programs in Oshawa from the Durham College and UOIT campus. Presently, there are 1,000 Trent students enrolled in a variety of Trent programs.
This school purchase initiative complements Trent’s existing agreement with UOIT and Durham College, and government priorities which encourage greater collaborations between postsecondary institutions. Trent has had mutually beneficial working relationships with both UOIT and Durham to deliver programming on a collaborative basis. Trent looks forward to renewing the existing agreement and strengthening working relationships with both partners even further to meet students’ needs.
The work of the committee will be guided by the terms of reference which will be developed in the coming weeks. This will include the final composition of the committee and future reporting milestones. As Executive Sponsor, Prof. McKinnon will lead a team of faculty, staff and student representatives to review the initial business case and initiate a consultation program to identify the vision and strategies and strengthen the positioning of Trent’s existing and new academic programs delivered in Oshawa.
The committee’s initial composition is as follows:
- Prof. Christine McKinnon, Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic ** Executive Sponsor
- Prof. Rita Bode, Associate Dean, Trent in Oshawa ** Academic Liaison
- Student Members – Lindsay Timmins, Amanda Daley and Valerie Naylor (SAVP)
- Prof. Joe Cebek, Faculty Member, Trent in Oshawa
- Prof. Robert Wright, Faculty Member, Trent in Oshawa
- Prof. Nancie Im-Bolter, Faculty Member, Trent In Oshawa
- Robert Clarke, University Librarian
- Don Cumming, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations
- Don O’Leary, Vice President, Administration
- Meri Kim Oliver, Interim Associate Vice President, Student Services and Acting Registrar
- Karen Maki, Director, Distance Education and College Partnerships
- Anne Parker, Manager, Support and Instructional Technology
- Prof. Jim Parker, Vice President, Research, International and Strategic Enrolment Management
- Pete Wood, Director of Information Technology
- John Wordley, Director, Physical Resources
This web site has been created to provide regular updates on the steering committee’s work. The web site will include: terms of reference, Google maps, site plan, drawings, questions and answers, and a process for submitting input. Content will be added over time as it becomes available.
For more information about the project contact:
Prof. Christine McKinnon,
Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic
-- Executive Sponsor,
(705) 748-1011, ext. 7695
Posted July 10, 2009
