The Board of Governors held its second regular meeting of the academic year on December 4, 2015, at the Symons Campus in Peterborough.

Appointment of Board Chair and Vice-Chair for 2016-17

Trent University’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Mr. Rod Taylor as the new chair of the Board for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2016.

Mr. Taylor was first appointed to the Board of Governors in July 2011, following service as an external consultant on the Board’s Finance and Property Committee. He has served as Board vice-chair and chair of the Executive Committee since July 2014. Mr. Taylor brings to the chair extensive background in the Ontario energy sector and previous experience with not-for-profit boards.

As part of the Board leadership succession plan for 2016-17, the Board of Governors has also approved the appointment of Mr. Stephen Kylie as Board vice-chair for a one-year term, effective July 1, 2016. 

Mr. Kylie, a proud Trent alum (‘72), was first appointed to the Board of Governors in 2013 and currently serves as the chair of the Board’s Finance and Property Committee. Mr. Kylie is a lawyer in the local community and long-time Peterborough resident. He is actively involved in numerous community organizations in the greater Peterborough community, and brings an excellent record of volunteerism and not-for-profit board experience to this Board leadership position. 

The Board of Governors will hold a year-end luncheon on June 24, 2016, following its final meeting for 2015-16, to recognize current chair Bryan Davies for his Board leadership and generous contributions to the work of Trent University during his term on the Board, and especially in his capacity as Board chair.

Investment and Pension Business

On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board approved the audited financial statements for the faculty and staff pension plans for the year ended June 30, 2015 and received for information the audited financial statement for the Supplemental Retirement Arrangement (SRA) also for the year ended June 30, 2015. The Board noted that clean audit opinions were received from the external auditor for all three plans.

The Board received a quarterly review (as at September 30, 2015) summarizing investment performance in the Pension Fund, Endowment Fund, Endowment Lands Fund, Supplemental Retirement Arrangement (SRA) Fund, and Special Investment Fund. All funds tracked to their respective indexes during this quarter, with no material negative influences.

In a related item of business, the Board also approved the appointment of governor Asaf Zohar to the Board's Investment & Pension Committee to add to the strength of that committee. Dr. Zohar is an associate professor of Business Administration at Trent University, and the current and founding chair of Trent’s Masters in Sustainability Studies Program.

Alumni Strategic Plan

The Board heard a presentation from the Ms. Jessica Grover, president of the Trent University Alumni Association, and Ms. Lee Hays, director of Alumni Affairs, setting out the strategic directions for Trent University Alumni to 2018. The Board applauded the various strategic initiatives articulated in the strategic plan and approved the institutional commitments as set out in the document.

Campus Infrastructure

The Board approved the process for capital redevelopment of the Otonabee College Residence. The planned replacement of the roof and other building infrastructure repairs and upgrades will effectively extend the useful life of the building.  

Next Meeting

The Board will hold its next regular meeting on January 29, 2016 at the Trent University Peterborough campus.