The Board of Governors of Trent University met on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 for its last regular meeting of the 2014-15 academic year. The meeting also marked the completion of Trent’s 50th anniversary celebrations, an exciting year of renewed community engagement and new initiatives under president and vice-chancellor Dr. Leo Groarke.

In addition to receiving annual reports highlighting the year’s accomplishments, the Board considered several key items of business coming forward from Board committees, the University Senate, and senior administration.

2015-16 Operating Budget Approved
The Board approved a balanced operating budget for 2015-16, the culmination of consultation with academic and administrative departments throughout the University, application of a responsibility-centred management (RCM) process, and implementation of a one-time early retirement incentive for faculty and staff. The budget reflects conservative revenue projections from government grants, tuition revenue, enrolment growth and student retention, and expenditure projections based on collective agreements, spending restraints, and new strategic investments in program development, partnerships, and other areas of specialization.

Planning for 2015-16 was particularly challenging due to elimination of the Queen’s-Trent concurrent education program and loss of student enrolment from that stream. However, projected enrolment for 2015-16 is trending up slightly and strong efforts will continue over the summer to bolster student recruitment and retention.

New Student Centre
With approval of the 2015-16 operating budget, plans for the new Student Centre continue on schedule for a September 2017 opening. The annual student levy toward the project, as approved by the Trent Central Students Association, will be collected beginning September 2015, and, along with funds raised and contributed by the University, will support construction of the $14 million project.

School of the Environment and School for the Study of Canada
On the recommendation of Senate, the Board approved the establishment of two new interdisciplinary schools as of July 1, 2015: School of the Environment and School for the Study of Canada. The schools will serve as academic units, bringing together Trent faculty from multiple disciplines in order to enable new initiatives in undergraduate and graduate teaching, facilitate interdisciplinary research, and enhance community and philanthropic activities.

In approving these new schools, the Board recognized Dr. Gary Boire who completes his term as provost and vice-president Academic on June 30, 2015. The Board thanked Dr. Boire for his leadership to Trent over the past five years, and wished him well in the next phase of his career.

Honorary Governor, NESS Award Winner, and Departing Governors Honoured
The Board meeting concluded with a year-end luncheon and presentations to honour award recipients and Board volunteers. Former Board chair (1980-1984) and honorary governor Erica Cherney was celebrated for her outstanding leadership and service to Trent, and her contributions commemorated with installation of an inscribed bench outside of Gzowski College. The Board also honoured Deb Earle as the 2014-15 recipient of the Nancy E. Simmons Smith (NESS) Staff Award of Excellence, and commended her for her commitment to the University for over two decades.

In addition, the Board recognized and thanked governors who are completing their service on the Board: Kathy Fife, Michael Mackey, Colleen O’Manique, and Sara Pieper. The Board also expressed its appreciation to Bob Taylor-Vaisey who will step down as president of the Trent University Alumni Association in October 2015, and to Susan Bartsch who retires at the end of June 2015 following a long career in the University Secretariat and many years of service to the Board.

The Board’s first meeting in 2015-16 will take place on October 2, 2015 at Trent University, Peterborough.