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From the Board Chair |
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 Gary Wolff
I would like to take this opportunity to provide a perspective on activities at Trent over the last number of months from the Chair of the Board of Governors' viewpoint. The "SuperBuild Fund", its possibilities, its discussion and its resolution has dominated the landscape at Trent and continues to absorb the attention of the Trent community. I must say that even though Trent's proposal was not funded through SuperBuild, the process forced Trent to look at itself, look at the realities of its current situation and to dream about its future. This exercise has been good for Trent because it has forced us to focus on what Trent must do to have a vibrant, healthy future as a small unique university in the Province of Ontario. It has led to a vision of how we can preserve the things that are important to us; the college system, small group teaching, the use of new technology, new research demands etc. while continuing to produce high quality graduates. This analysis and vision has clearly led us to areas that the Board would prefer to not have to contemplate. It has forced some very difficult and important issues to the forefront and it has identified critical issues about Trent's future that must be addressed. Our Board has five alumni among its members or 20 percent of the total Board of Governors. I can assure you that your alumni members are acutely aware of what Trent was, what it needs and are concerned with the preservation of its uniqueness. The fact that Trent was not awarded a SuperBuild grant was disappointing but as President Patterson has noted in her comments, we have been told there is a possibility of more to come. We continue to hope that the Government will provide the wherewithal to meet the approved Capital Development Strategy which addresses issues the University must deal with. Regardless of that outcome, the process has given Trent a clear long term mission vision of issues the University must deal with if it is going to survive in this new funding world. This survival must be consistent with the vision and commitment to the fundamental values that we all hold dear. The Board remains dedicated to understanding the issues which confront Trent from all stakeholder perspectives. These are not always perspectives that are easily balanced. The Board is totally committed to ensuring Trent moves into the new millennium as a healthy institution capable of meeting our mandate to offer students the best possible liberal arts and sciences education in a college structure which permits students to grow and prosper. | |
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