Association President's Message |
TRENT CONTENTS Proposed Change, Change ... and Debate Association President's Message Topping the Competitive Recruitment Environment The Interactive Learning Centre Profile of a Volunteer: Roy O'Brien '75 "How To" series Toronto realtor Mary Crawford '82 Collections and Obsessions : Jim Doran's Various Vinyl |
by Cheryl Davies The final two months of 1999 and the opening month of 2000 were hectic times indeed for our university and the Alumni Association. In this issue of Trent, you will learn about the Board of Governors' approval of a capital development strategy that has certainly generated considerable alumni discussion and concern. Beginning in mid-November the phone and e-mail lines were humming as alumni leaders assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the potential campus consolidation on the Symons campus. Prior to the Board of Governors meeting on November 12, 1999, the Alumni Council Executive and our two Board representatives held an exhaustive conference call examining the implications of the proposed changes. In addition all members of the Alumni Council who could be reached by e-mail were sent an outline of the capital development strategy and directed to the university's web site for background on the Superbuild funding program. After the Board's approval of the strategy, the Alumni Council Executive met again by conference call. On the heels of that came an Alumni Council meeting in Toronto, at which University President Bonnie Patterson was invited to attend by conference call. Some preliminary planning took place regarding a mailing to the alumni for which special funding was sought from the university. I withdrew the request for that funding when it became clear that the mailing had become a politicized football in a tense and highly charged campus atmosphere. I made that decision with the support of the Executive Committee and the Editor of this magazine (more conference calls!). Throughout this period alumni e-mails and phone calls were being received at the alumni office, and at my home and the homes of Alumni leaders. Some of these were expressions of concern and dismay. Some were angry. Others requested more information and clarification. Many others expressed support for the development strategy. I want to assure all those who did take the time to comment that your messages were read and appreciated and shared with alumni leaders. It was important to me that the Alumni Association not get caught in the middle of a divisive fight. There were divergent alumni opinions. I resolved that the Association should remain neutral. Even as we poised for Christmas break, a small appreciation gathering of Peterborough alumni volunteers at my Champlain College home was the scene for a healthy exchange of differing alumni perspectives. In January, the Alumni Council had a welcome opportunity to hear from the president of the Trent Central Student Association, who reassured them that Trentıs unique educational experience continues today. In the next issue of Trent magazine, I look forward to recounting the exceptional year my husband Bryan and I have had as Alumni-in-Residence. | |
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