‘A’ Bond Rating and Economic Impact among Highlights at Trent University’s February Board of Governors Meeting
Annual luncheon with student leaders creates Student-Board connections on key issues
The Trent University Board of Governors held its third regular meeting of the academic year at the AJM Smith Room at Bata Library on February 14, 2020. In addition to the announcement for a new $1.7 million Forensic Crime Scene House with sector-leading environmental and academic features, Board business covered a number of issues and reports.
Trent University Receives ‘A’ Bond Rating
The Board received a report that in December 2019, DBRS Limited (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed the Issuer Rating and Senior Unsecured Debentures rating of Trent University at A with Stable trends. This is the third year in a row the University received an A rating, since its first debenture offering in 2017.
Luncheon with Student Leaders
Governors met over lunch with the University’s student leadership from student associations and college cabinets. In addition to the opportunity for governors and students to engage on current issues and opportunities, each table was given a series of issues for discussion: academic programming, careers and experiential learning, co-curricular opportunities, community engagement, and campus facilities. Brief reports were given, providing governors with insights into student perspectives. Photos from the luncheon are attached.
Community & Economic Impact
Board members learned about the vital role Trent plays in Peterborough’s economic development, contributing more than $560 million annually to the local economy. As one of Peterborough’s largest employers, Trent is home to more than 1,500 employees and supports more than 4,200 direct and indirect jobs, while our graduates make up almost 8% of the local workforce. The more than 9,400 students who study at Trent in Peterborough—more than 80% of whom come from outside of the region – contribute $170 million in local economic impact. In Oshawa, the new residence and academic building opening this fall at Trent Durham GTA will enrich the local community by drawing students from outside of the Durham Region to live on campus, as well as providing new public spaces for community events.
Trent also contributes to our local economies through research, knowledge-based innovation centres, and arts and culture. Initiatives include Cleantech Commons, a new Entrepreneurship Centre, the annual Writers’ Reading series, film festivals, Indigenous performances, and more. Trent also proudly hosted more than 250 cultural, artistic and intellectual events in the past year, all open to the community. In addition, Trent is a key contributor to the United Way, having raised more than $2 million for the organization to become the largest corporate sponsor in the region.
Trent Lands Plan
The Board received an update on the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan, including reports from and feedback received through Phase 1 “Understanding the Land.” Phase 2 of the planning process kicked off February 4, 2020 and includes a review of the vision for the lands, and an exploration of the campus and community needs that could or must be accommodated on Trent lands, as well as the principles that will guide decisions around land use. Phase 2 features two rounds of public engagement to further inform the plan, which will lay out how Trent will balance the preservation and enhancement of our valued natural areas, with the services and facilities our students, campus and local community need. With this input, the Board will review draft framework plans in the spring, providing direction on the preferred plan to be developed over the summer for presentation in the fall.
Expansion at the Durham GTA Campus
Governors were also updated on the Trent Durham GTA expansion project, which involves two initiatives: the construction of a new residence and academic building, and the renovations to the existing facility. The new build, which will see a six-storey contemporary building with additional parking through a partnership with Campus Living Centres (CLC), is well underway with the full six-storey structural elements expected to be complete shortly. The project is moving at a rapid pace, with the opening of the new facility expected by the end of August 2020.
The renovations to the existing Durham building include a full service dining facility for the campus, that will serve the new 200-bed residence being constructed, as well as any existing students/staff/ employees/visitors attending the campus on a daily basis. Other spaces will also be reconfigured within the building in order to maximize space for the dining facility.
View the slideshow.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information, please contact: Marilyn Burns, AVP Communications & Recruitment, Trent University, 705-748-1011 ext. 6184
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