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Double Cohort Q & A

Admission Standards

What percentage increase in first-year student admissions does Trent University anticipate for the double cohort?

For the double cohort, Trent University anticipates an overall increase of 1295 new students. Compared to 2001 when Trent’s first year class totalled approximately 1200 students, our projected increase by 2004 is over 100%. With improved class scheduling, an increase in faculty and more classroom and lab space, Trent University will still be able to maintain its reputation for small class sizes.

How will Trent University decide whom to admit, between the two classes applying? Will you compare marks directly or use quotas?

Trent University will admit the most qualified applicants, regardless of which class they are applying from, and will compare marks in the new and OAC curriculum directly.

How will Trent University address the potential imbalance in marks between the OACs and Grade 12s, given that the grade 12 courses in the new curriculum will have been taught for the first time?

Trent University will give equal consideration to both OAC and New Curriculum applicants, and we will monitor the situation and attempt to ensure that all students are treated fairly. Please note that applicants have always been encouraged to submit additional information or extenuating circumstances and may provide Trent with a letter at the time of their application. This information is taken into consideration when evaluating applicants for admission.

Will Trent University be offering deferred acceptance, where a student is allotted a space that would not be utilized until the following school year, either at the student’s or institution’s option?

Our current practice is to allow a student to defer their acceptance for one year and this policy will continue. Students are required to provide documentation to the Office of the Registrar stating their intent to defer. Trent University will honour all scholarship offers the following year for students who have deferred.

If an OAC student in the double cohort delays applying to Trent University for a year or more, will you maintain the same entrance standards that were applied for the September 2003 year?

Since Trent’s admissions standards are based on the number of applicants and the academic quality of these applicants, Trent’s admissions standards may change from year to year. We anticipate, however, that a minimum average of 70% will ensure admission to most of our programs.

Entrance Scholarships and Bursaries

Will Trent University be offering additional entrance scholarships and bursaries for the double cohort classes?

Yes. In 1997/98 Trent’s Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards totalled $900,000. In 2001 that amount had risen to $4.5 million. With continued fundraising success through Trent’s capital campaign which has already surpassed its goal, Trent anticipates even greater support to students through the double cohort.

Will scholarships and bursaries be awarded equally between the two classes or in another way?

Scholarships and bursaries will be awarded to those applicants who are most deserving. For scholarship assessment there will be no differentiation between new and OAC curriculum applicants. Bursaries are awarded based on financial need rather than academic performance.

Physical Plant

What physical changes will be made to Trent University to accommodate the higher number of students expected? To what extent have you accessed the Super Build fund and how have you allocated these funds?

Trent is undertaking the following expansions/renovations in preparation for the double cohort:

Science Facilities (cost $17.6 million)

Construction of 40,000 sq. ft. of new academic space
Renovation of 100,000 sq. ft of existing space
Creation of a new Water Quality Centre
Creation of 12 new research labs, 2 lecture halls and 6 teaching labs and ancillary space

Integrated College/ First Peoples House of Learning Building (cost $12 million)

Construction of 60,000 sq. ft. academic and cultural space
Creation of 16 new classrooms and 2 large lecture halls
Creation of 70 academic offices
Construction of 6 academic department administrative areas
Residential College (cost $12.3 million)
Construction of 67,000 sq.ft. dormitory space
Air conditioned 250 bed residence and summer conference facility

How will you accommodate the students for lectures and other classroom needs? Increased class size, increased number of sections offered, use of off-campus space or other?

Through improved class scheduling, hiring an additional 64 faculty (by 2003/2004) and increasing the physical space for classrooms and labs, Trent plans to maintain its reputation as a university which offers small classes. Off campus space is available in Peterborough, should these be necessary. All Trent University students contribute to a bus pass program, which allows unlimited access to the city’s bus transportation system. If off-campus space is required, students will be able to conveniently reach their classes.

Will first year students be guaranteed a space in residence? What provisions have you made to offer alternatives to residence for first-year students?

Currently, residence is not guaranteed for all first year students. While residence space will be increased, students will be encouraged to submit their residence applications and deposits prior to the published deadlines. This will improve the likelihood of a student being offered residence in their first year. Off-campus residence facilities are being considered as possible options to on-campus housing.

Other Concerns

With students under 18, how do you plan to address legal obligations to parents/guardians? Will this affect your admission decisions?

A student’s age will not affect their application to Trent University in any way. We are currently reviewing Student Services such as our academic advising system, counselling services, and residence support systems to ensure that the needs of all students will be appropriately addressed through and beyond the double cohort. It is important to note that some students under the age of 18 from other provinces already attend Ontario Universities.

Do you anticipate a shortage of faculty for the double cohort? Outline your plans to attract experienced faculty.

Currently, Trent’s faculty number 229. By 2003-2004 Trent has projected a total of 293 faculty – an increase of 64 faculty members. Our hiring program has already attracted over 20 new faculty.

What increase in tuition fees does your institution expect to levy in order to cover the extra expenses (additional staffing, computer time) of the double cohort?

The Ontario Government currently limits tuition fee increases to no more than 2% per year. As the setting of tuition fees is directly tied to government funding, decisions taken by the Ontario Government will, to some extent, determine tuition fee increases.

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