(Oshawa) Oshawa Mayor Mr. John Henry attended Trent University’s Board of Governors meeting held in Oshawa today and provided greetings on behalf of the City.

In his address, Mayor Henry noted how the creation of the Trent University campus on Thornton Road combined with the renovation and expansion of the Civic Athletics Centre was part of a renaissance taking place in Oshawa.

“Trent University has one of the most amazing campuses in all of Ontario right here in Oshawa, next door to the City’s recently renovated Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex,” said Mayor Henry. 

He added that the Conference Board of Canada has identified Oshawa as being the third fastest growing community in the nation, that the City’s house prices are increasing at the same rate as Toronto’s, and that enough drawings for subdivisions are on file at City Hall to create another community one fifth the size of Oshawa. 

Mayor Henry highlighted additional cultural assets in the community such as the City’s art gallery, and how the City is benefiting economically from the local airport and the next phase of the Highway 407 project.

“Trent University is an important part of the sweeping changes that are making Oshawa one of the leading communities in Canada,” said Mayor Henry.  “I would like to thank Trent’s Board of Governors for believing in our community.”

Provincial and Federal Budget Updates

Dr. Steven E. Franklin, President and Vice-Chancellor, provided a high level update to the Board on the impact of both the provincial and federal budgets. 

Federal budget

• A new focus on the National Research Council, requiring the organization to show greater relevance to the business community
• A new fund for start up companies that could benefit Trent
• Multiyear support for the Canada Foundation for Innovation, to support infrastructure and equipment investments to enable research and development
• Changes to scientific research tax credits
• An emphasis on investments in business led Centres of Excellence to promoting knowledge transfer and commercialization
• No new funds for discovery research, granting councils not cut, but not increased (only in areas to stimulate engagement with private sector)

Provincial Budget

• Moderated projections for enrolment growth in the next three years
• A plan to place greater emphasis on increased employee contributions to pensions for the broader public sector
• A new legislative framework to manage public sector pensions
• Continuation of the previously announced tuition framework and the 30 Per Cent Off
• Ontario Tuition Grant which will now be indexed
• A reduction in capital funding
• No increases in deferred maintenance
• New policy levers to drive productivity and innovation in the sector to achieve new savings
• Elimination of two smaller core grants
• Cancellation of the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarship Program
• Another two year freeze on executive compensation
• And a renewed emphasis on collaborative purchasing programs throughout the broader public service sector, to achieve new efficiencies

President’s Monthly Report

The President’s Monthly Report provided an update on the University’s budget.  Approval of the Multiyear Financial Framework and Annual Operating Plan Budget presentation is anticipated at the April Board meeting.  A continued focus will remain on balancing the budget and reducing the cumulative deficit.

The report highlights a proposal underway to consider the development of a new Innovation Park on lands located between Durham College’s Whitby campus and Trent’s Thornton Road campus.  A framework is being developed by multiple partners for the development that could potentially include a housing subdivision and permitted uses for education and commercial activity.  While no funding or commitments for new investments in public infrastructure have been identified, the Durham Learning and Business Park Plan presents opportunities for Trent to potentially expand its presence in the eastern GTA.

The report included an update on the new articulation agreement signed with Durham College that will enable qualified graduates of several of the College’s Business Administration programs to enter Trent’s Bachelor of Business Administration program with two years of advanced standing and to complete their degree requirements in only two years of study.

Enrolment

Application numbers as of March 9, 2012 are as follows:

• The number of domestic undergraduate applicants is up 4.7% compared to last year at this time. This translates into 374 more applicants compared to last year’s numbers.
• Peterborough applicants are up 113 while Oshawa applicants are up
• 144 compared to last year at this time.
• Nursing applicants are up 23.4% compared to last year. This is a
• result of 236 more applicants over last year.
• Teacher education applicants are down 9.1% over last year’s
• numbers. This is 119 fewer applicants (a province wide trend).
• The number of international undergraduate applicants is up 10.9%. This translates into 66 more applicants compared to last year at this time.
• In total, all undergraduate applicants are up by 440 or 5.1%.

It was noted that more offers of admission have been issued this year compared to the same time last year and that contacts with prospects continue to increase.

50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2014

Julie Davis, Vice President, External Relations and Advancement, provided the Board with an update on the objectives and legacies planned for Trent University’s 50th anniversary in 2014.  A steering committee is in place, a sub-committee has been created and eight objectives are being narrowed down.

Activities will centre on:

- Celebrating a shared past and contributions
- Recognizing and strengthening the bond with current and former staff, faculty, partners,
  alumni and local communities
- Attracting and involving new students, partners and donors in the Trent experiences
- Raising visibility and improving the University’s overall reputation

Fiftieth anniversary themes will include:

- Developing a historical narrative
- Celebrating the student experience
- Celebrating research and teaching excellence
- The college experience
- Inclusivity, diversity and social justice
- Strategies to maximize involvement

It was also noted that Trent’s operations in Oshawa will celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2014 as well.