Chronicle of an institution grappling with change
May 1999
Ontario government announces a large capital investment program to aid municipalities, universities, schools and health sectors, known as SuperBuild. The province will disburse up to $742 million for capital projects in the higher education sector aimed at renewing Ontariošs aging infrastructure, providing new education facilities and accommodating a significant increase in student enrollment expected to enter the higher education sector in 2003.
President Bonnie Patterson convenes a special ad hoc Task Force to review and evaluate Trent's space planning and capital needs within the parameters and criteria set out in the government's program, under the chair of Professor Harry Kitchen, Department of Economics.
Summer 1999
Task Force conducts a number of meetings and reviews data and analysis from Department of Physical Resources, Capital Campaign (Beyond Our Walls) and Science facilities review.
October 15, 1999
Invitation to Submit Proposals for the SuperBuild Growth Fund is formally announced. Deadline for submissions is November 14, 1999.
October 25, 1999
The Task Force submits its report. It examines: the University's academic mission; teaching models; benefits and shortcomings of Trentšs decentralized campus; aging infrastructure; financial weakness and loss of options; enrollment history and growth; demographic and Double Cohort projections; facilities audit and existing space inventory; maintenance options; management excellence; elements of Trent campus consolidation; recommendations for science facilities project and arts and humanities centre; and implications for ancillary operations. The Task Force recommends a course of expansion and growth, together with consolidation at the Symons Campus.
November 1999
Town Halls are held to discuss the Task Force report.
President Patterson releases Capital Development Strategy 2000-04. The five-point strategy calls for: 1) creation of a new residential college on the Symons Campus to house faculty and staff currently located at Peter Robinson and Traill, to provide 313 residential spaces and meet the needs identified for the First People's House of Learning and Humanities Centre 2) an expanded, refurbished complex for the sciences including facilities for business-research partnerships and conferences 3) demolition of the current Otonable College residence and construction of new accommodation designed for resident undergraduate and graduate students 4) closure of Peter Robinson and Catherine Parr Traill Colleges and the sale of all Trent properties associated with these colleges 5) establishment of an endowment fund from the proceeds of the sale of the town colleges for the maintenance of the new facilities.
November 9, 1999
Trent Senate approves the following motions: "that Senate endorse enrollment growth at Trent University as outlined in the report of the Task Force on the SuperBuild Growth Fund and referenced in the President's presentation to Senate, in order to respond to increased demand for admission resulting from the double cohort and demographic growth in the 18-24 age group".
"Whereas the college system, including two downtown colleges, forms an integral part of Trent's educational policy which falls under the jurisdiction of Senate as defined in the Trent Act, be it resolved, that Senate supports an application to the SuperBuild program, but under no circumstances can such an application be based on either a change of location or a net reduction of facilities at any downtown or Symons Campus college."
November 12, 1999
The Trent University Board of Governors examines the Capital Development Strategy 2000-04 and Proposed SuperBuild application. Seventeen speakers from the University community express deep concern. Two speakers urge the Board to support the President's infrastructure plan. A petition signed by 213 faculty and staff, which is strongly supportive of the proposed capital plan, is presented.
The Board resolves "that the Capital Development Strategy, 2000-04 dated November 12, 1999 be approved and that the President be authorized to submit, on behalf of the University, a proposal under the SuperBuild Growth Fund consistent with this strategy for a $39,653,000 capital development project."
November 14, 1999
Trent submits SuperBuild proposal.
November and December 1999
The Trent community including alumni engage in a heated debate about the future development of the university. Letters to the Editor of the Peterborough Examiner from students, alumni, professors, retired colleagues speak to explore many aspects of the development strategy and are published on an almost daily basis. The debate is also mentioned in national media.
January 2000
Three Trent professors apply for a judicial review of the Board of Governors November 12 resolution.
February 22, 2000
Ontario funds 39 of 105 SuperBuild proposals. Trent is not successful in its bid.
February 23, 2000
President Patterson indicates that the proposed relocation of Peter Robinson faculty and staff outlined in the Capital Development strategy will be delayed in the face of uncertainties about how government funding might flow for unfunded proposals which met the SuperBuild criteria.
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