Information on the Board of Governors
- The Trent University Board of Governors - An Introduction
- Questions and Answers for Prospective Board Members
- Board Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Members of the Board of Governors
- Board of Governors Confidentiality
The Board of Governors believes that a diversity of perspectives is necessary for good governance. Please consider the diversity of our community when making your nominations.
Further details are provided in the policy on Appointment of Members of the Board of Governors (Special Resolution III.1). Candidates who would like any further details about the Board, please contact boardelections@trentu.ca to schedule a meeting with the University Secretary, or designate.
Board Membership and Commitment
The Trent University Board of Governors has up to 26 members. 8 seats of the Board's membership are filled by the Trent community (the Chancellor, the President, two students, two faculty, and two staff). The remaining 12-18 seats on the Board are filled by members of the general public.
Board members and external members of committees are volunteers and cannot receive remuneration for this activity. The Ontario Corporations Act requires that members of the Board and external consultants to committees be at least 18 years of age and have no undischarged bankruptcy. Additionally, as per the Ontario Non for Profit Corporations Act, any person who has been found under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, or Mental Health Act, to be incapable by any court are disqualified from serving.
Membership involves a time commitment of approximately 1-2 weekdays per month for meeting attendance, plus 6-10 hours per month for review of meeting materials. In addition, Board members are encouraged to attend University events when available.
Please contact the University Secretariat by phone at 705-748-1223 or by email at secretariat@trentu.ca for more information.
Importance of the Board
Trent University seeks to develop a Board composed of members who have a passion for university education, are highly effective communicators, able to consider other perspectives in making their decisions, are committed to understanding and practicing good governance, engage at a strategic and conceptual level, will serve in leadership roles if asked, are able to commit the necessary time and energy to the Board, and are willing to participate in the life of Trent University as an active ambassador and advocate.
This challenging role requires dynamic and committed volunteers with the motivation and commitment to grapple with complex information and make difficult decisions that will have great impact on the future of this important institution. For more information on the Board of Governors please visit the Board of Governor's webpage.
Internal Seats (student, staff, faculty)
Student candidates for Board membership are identified through a general election in the spring of each year conducted by the University Secretariat. The two student seats are rotated annually between the Peterborough and Durham campuses. All members of the student body from the respective campus of the University, who take one or more courses at the University, who are in good standing, are 18yrs of age or older, and intend to be enrolled at the University for the length of the term of the appointment at minimum are eligible to stand for election and to vote in their respective election (Peterborough or Durham).
Faculty and Staff candidates are identified through general elections conducted by the University Secretariat in the late winter/early spring of each year. All members of Faculty council are eligible to nominate a candidate and vote for the faculty position. Faculty members on the Board cannot be from the same academic division. This is to allow for a broad scope of academic engagement. All members of OPSEU and all non-academic members of the exempt staff group (excluding senior officers of the University) are eligible to nominate a candidate and vote for the staff position. Staff members on the Board cannot be from the same academic division of administrative unit. This is to allow for a broad scope of administrative engagement. Individual's employment contracts must fulfill the length of the term of the appointment at a minimum in order to be eligible for positions.
Please see the Board Internal Election Procedures for more information. Each of these positions are for two-year terms.
At-Large Seats
Members of the public are nominated by the Board's Nominating and Governance Committee. Anyone may apply, or nominate a candidate for Board membership at any time, however appointments are typically made in the spring. The Board actively engages with the Trent University Alumni Association for alum nominations as part of the recruitment process for at-large vacancies.
The position is for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second term. Individuals are identified through a recruitment process each year, with the call for nominations/applications generally being launched in early January and concluding in late February.
External Appointments to Board Committees
It is the Board’s practice to appoint candidates with subject matter expertise as external members of various Board standing committees. This practice brings additional external expertise and perspective to the committee table and provides the external appointee with exposure to the work of the Board and engagement with the University community.
Please contact the University Secretariat by phone at 705-748-1223 or by email at secretariat@trentu.ca for more information.