Trent University Board of Governors Hosts Government and Community Leaders at Meeting Held at Trent University Durham
Growth and expansion at Durham Campus a strategic focus
The Board of Governors held its fourth regular meeting of the academic year on April 1, 2016 at the Trent University Durham Campus in Oshawa.
Bryan Davies, chair of the Board of Governors opened the meeting by welcoming guests and representatives from the Region of Durham and the City of Oshawa. Government leaders and community partners from the area were invited to attend a luncheon, and the open session of the Board meeting.
Mr. Davies announced to the Board that Ms. Karen Spearing was recently appointed University secretary, effective March 24, 2016.
Durham Campus Update
Mr. Joe Muldoon, head of Trent University Durham, provided an update to the Board of Governors on recent developments at the Durham campus, including new academic programs (Philosophy, Communications and Critical Thinking, and Child and Youth Studies). For 2015, the three academic programs in highest demand at the Durham campus were Psychology, Social Work and Business, with 2016 reflecting growing demand for Child and Youth Studies, and Media Studies.
The expansion of the Durham campus is a key strategic focus for Trent in light of projected continued population growth in the eastern GTA for the 18-24 age group, as well as additional opportunities for collaboration with Trent’s academic and community partners across the Region.
President’s Remarks
Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University, began his remarks by highlighting senior appointments at the University:
- Dr. Cathy Bruce has been appointed as the dean of the School of Education & Professional Learning for a five-year term commencing July 1, 2016
- Dr. Kirsten Woodend was reappointed as dean of dean of the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing for a second five-year term commencing July 1, 2016
- The appointment for Steven Pillar as Vice-President Finance & Administration was extended to June 30, 2018.
The president praised the successful Celebration of Teaching Excellence held March 31, 2016 honouring four Trent professors dedicated to leadership and innovation in teaching: Professor Joel Baetz, Professor David Newhouse, Ms. Lesley Hewett and elder Shirley Williams. He shared news of the 2016 Honorary Degree recipients: banking executive and philanthropist Kathleen Taylor; Canadian publishing giant Michael de Pencier; bestselling author Linwood Barclay; journalist Roy MacGregor; and Darren Huston, a leader in technology and travel services.
President Groarke also called attention to Tracy Al-idrissi, University registrar, who recently received the Ontario University Registrars’ Association (OURA) Award of Excellence at the 2016 OURA Conference.
Provincial and Federal Budget Announcements 2016
In his remarks, President Groarke pointed to the positive government initiatives in the recent provincial and federal budget announcements to make postsecondary education accessible. University registrar Ms. Al-Idrissi provided an overview of federal budget enhancements to Canada student grants, flat-rate student contributions, and improvements to repayment assistance program. The province announced restructuring of the student financial assistance program, which will ensure students from families with incomes of less than $50,00 will have no provincial student debt and more than 50 per cent of families with incomes of $83,000 or less will have non-repayable grants in excess of average tuition. While details of net tuition billing have not yet been provided, the government intends to set new requirements for tuition administration by universities.
Enrollment Update
President Groarke provided a high level overview of enrollment growth of 95 full time equivalent students for 2015/16, against enrollment projections of -78, the net impact of which is a revenue increase of $1.9M. Marilyn Burns, executive director Marketing & Communications Recruitment & Admissions, provided early trends toward fall 2016 which continue to show Trent leading the province for percent increase to applications averaging 17% year-over-year. Ms. Burns emphasized cautious optimism in interpreting the trends due to the highly competitive nature of the provincial postsecondary landscape.
Durham Academic Research
The Board meeting closed with a presentation by Dr. Robert Wright, a full professor at Trent University Durham, author of seven books, including three bestsellers, and well-known media expert on issues of history and politics. Professor Wright spoke about his current work researching and writing a book about former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Next Meeting: The next meeting of the Board of Governors will take place on May 13, 2016 on the Symons Campus in Peterborough.
For more information, please contact:
Marilyn Burns, executive director, Marketing & Communications, Recruitment & Admissions, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 ext. 6184 or mburns@trentu.ca
If you no longer wish to receive news releases and advisories from Trent University, please email communications@trentu.ca to unsubscribe.
Accessible versions of this document are available upon request at trentu.ca/accessible