Trent University’s Board of Governors met in Peterborough on December 6, 2013 for the second of its regular-scheduled meetings for 2013-14. In addition to approving its overall objectives and work plan for the year, the Board considered several key items of business.

Board member appointment

The Board appointed Ms. Robin Sundstrom to one of the two seats on the Board designated for alumni. Ms. Sundstrom, who earned an M.A. degree from Trent in 1980, is president and founder of IRonside Investor Relations Inc., and brings strong experience in investment, banking and finance to the Board. Her term on the Board commences immediately and extends to June 30, 2016.

Strategic Mandate Agreement development

Like all universities and colleges in Ontario, Trent is developing a Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) as required by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), for submission on December 20, 2013.

Following submission of universities’ SMAs, MTCU will work with each institution to negotiate final SMAs by March 31, 2014. This process is part of an MTCU initiative to improve the provincial post-secondary system through greater focus on differentiation, collaboration, efficiency, job-readiness, and innovation.

Enterprise Risk Management

The Board approved a new Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) policy that applies a consistent and systematic approach to risk management. Trent University engages in a wide range of activities, both on and off campus, all of which give rise to some level of risk. The ERM policy is an integrated planning tool, designed to embed risk management into strategic and operations planning across the University, manage risk and leverage opportunities in accordance with best practices, and anticipate and respond to changing social, environmental and legislative requirements.

The ERM policy complements an Activity Risk Management policy already in place at Trent, and completes the integration of operational and enterprise risk management processes at Trent.

Next meeting

The Board will meet next on January 31, 2014. Guests and observers will note that the Board’s Open Session now commences at 1:00 p.m. (rather than 10:00 a.m. as in previous years).

The Board of Governors extends its best wishes to all for a joyous holiday season.