Call for Nominations
Trent University's Board of Governors Faculty, Staff and Student Seats
The Call for Nominations for the internal seats on the Board of Governors is open now until March 20th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
The seats available are:
- 1 Faculty (term: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026)
- 1 Staff (term: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026)
- 1 Durham-GTA Student (term: July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026)
Anyone interested in these volunteer positions must submit a self-nomination form and must receive supporting nominations no later than March 20th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Refer to the specific requirements with regard to supporting nominations on the Candidate Self-Nomination Form.
Please see the Board Internal Election Procedures for more information on the election procedures, including nominations, campaigning, voting, etc.
Information Session:
Each Student candidate is required to attend a virtual information session with the University Secretary to learn more about the Board, and specifically the position. Faculty and Staff candidates are also encouraged to attend, but it is not mandatory. An information session will be held on Tuesday, March 12th from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Please contact the Univeristy Secretariat at boardelections@trentu.ca to obtain the Zoom details for the information session. If this times does not work for you, please let us know to arrange an alternative meeting date to take place no later than Tuesday, March 20th 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Information on the Board of Governors
- The Trent University Board of Governors - An Introduction
- Questions and Answers for Prospective Board Members
- Board Diversity Policy
- Members of the Board of Governors
- Board of Governors Confidentiality
The Board of Governors believes that a diversity of perspectives is necessary for good governance. Please consider the diversity of our community when making your nominations.
The Trent University Board of Governors has up to 26 members. 8 seats of the Board's membership are filled by the Trent community (the Chancellor, the President, two students, two faculty, and two staff). The remaining 12-18 seats on the Board are filled by members of the general public.
Board members and external members of committees are volunteers and cannot receive remuneration for this activity. The Ontario Corporations Act requires that members of the Board and external consultants to committees be at least 18 years of age and have no undischarged bankruptcy. Additionally, as per the Ontario Non for Profit Corporations Act, any person who has been found under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, or Mental Health Act, to be incapable by any court are disqualified from serving.
Membership involves a time commitment of approximately 1-2 weekdays per month for meeting attendance, plus 6-10 hours per month for review of meeting materials. In addition, Board members are encouraged to attend University events when available.
Please contact the University Secretariat by phone at 705-748-1223 or by email at secretariat@trentu.ca for more information.
Importance of the Board
Trent University seeks to develop a Board composed of members who have a passion for university education, are highly effective communicators, able to consider other perspectives in making their decisions, are committed to understanding and practicing good governance, engage at a strategic and conceptual level, will serve in leadership roles if asked, are able to commit the necessary time and energy to the Board, and are willing to participate in the life of Trent University as an active ambassador and advocate.
This challenging role requires dynamic and committed volunteers with the motivation and commitment to grapple with complex information and make difficult decisions that will have great impact on the future of this important institution. For more information on the Board of Governors please visit the Board of Governor's webpage.
Internal Seats (student, staff, faculty)
Student candidates for Board membership are identified through a general election in the spring of each year conducted by the University Secretariat. The two student seats are rotated annually between the Peterborough and Durham campuses. All members of the student body from the respective campus of the University, who take one or more courses at the University, who are in good standing, and 18yrs of age or older, are eligible to stand for election and to vote in their respective election (Peterborough or Durham).
Faculty and Staff candidates are identified through general elections conducted by the University Secretariat in the late winter/early spring of each year. Please see the Board Internal Election Procedures for more information.
Each of these positions are for two-year terms.
At-Large Seats
Members of the public are nominated by the Board's Nominating and Governance Committee. Anyone may apply, or nominate a candidate for Board membership at any time, however appointments are typically made in the spring. The Board actively engages with the Trent University Alumni Association for alum nominations as part of the recruitment process for at-large vacancies.
The position is for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second term. Individuals are identified through a recruitment process each year, with the call for nominations/applications generally being launched in early January and concluding in late February.
External Appointments to Board Committees
It is the Board’s practice to appoint candidates with subject matter expertise as external members of various Board standing committees. This practice brings additional external expertise and perspective to the committee table and provides the external appointee with exposure to the work of the Board and engagement with the University community.
Please contact the University Secretariat by phone at 705-748-1223 or by email at secretariat@trentu.ca for more information.