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Build 2000

FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' MEETING – June 24, 2004

Long Term Conceptual Plan for Athletics Facility Approved

Next stage to examine finances

Long Term Plan - Athletics Facility Development

Bill Byrick, Director of Athletics, together with representatives of the landscape architectural firm Basterfield and Associates, provided an overview of the long-term master plan for Athletics facilities at Trent. He reviewed the process of consultation undertaken during the last 18 months with students, faculty, staff and the broader Peterborough community.

The proposal's five main priorities include:

  • a main playing field/stadium on the west bank, and three additional natural turf fields (two east bank, one west bank)
  • an outdoor recreation/education area (access to waterways and nature areas)
  • an addition to the Athletics Complex with expanded fitness and service options for students and the community
  • a 'field house' (indoor playing field)
  • associated parking, vehicle routes, walkways and landscaping integrated into each priority.

Byrick emphasized that the plan identifies the nature areas and leaves them untouched. Work on the project continues with the development of a business plan. A focus of the long term plan includes meeting the most pressing needs now, including new playing fields and the creation of new athletics opportunities for students and the community.

President's Report

President Bonnie Patterson updated the Board of Governors on the DNA Cluster and noted that a business plan has been submitted to the Biotechnology Cluster Innovation Program for funding. She highlighted that the City of Peterborough provided cash flow for the funding of the Cluster office's operations until October, 2004 and that Trent is awaiting written confirmation of the provincial government matching grant of $3.6 million from the Ontario Innovation Trust program. Work continues with the MNR and the OPP on finalizing a co-location strategy.

The Council of Ontario Universities' 'Working Group on University Capacity' continues its analysis of enrollment numbers. Reporting on the unexpected drop in acceptances of offers of admissions at this point in the year at many universities in the system, the president stressed that Trent will continue to receive and process applications throughout the summer months. As in past years, it is anticipated that acceptances of offers of admissions will continue to change throughout July and August. Residence spaces at Trent are still available. Applications for admission continue to be received at Trent.

Executive heads of universities had preliminary discussions with former premier Bob Rae who will serve as an advisor to the premier and the minister on post secondary education issues. Advising Mr. Rae will be a panel composed of: Leslie Church, a law student and former executive director of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance; Ian Davidson, chief of police for Greater Sudbury; former premier William Davis; Don Drummond, senior vice president and chief economist TD Bank Financial Group; Dr. Inez Elliston, retired educator and community leader; Richard Johnston, retiring president of Centennial College; and Huguette Labelle, chancellor of the University of Ottawa.

The review panel's work will focus on how to enhance collaboration and coordination within a differentiated post -secondary education system, and will make recommendations on funding. The panel's upcoming activities include the completion of a green paper this coming September for discussion, and a consultation process in the fall that will include visits to all of Ontario's universities.

University presidents met with the minister to reiterate their ongoing concerns about funding, in particular the shortfall in tuition backfill funding announced and the gap in funding related to inflation.

The chair of the board and president recently hosted Trent University's 25Year Service Awards. It was noted that five staff members had joined the 25 year service club this year. To date, there are 33 employees with 35 years service, and 81 employees with 30 years service at Trent.

Jim Bradley, the Minister of Tourism, recently visited Trent at the opening of the Special Olympics competition held at the University. Jalynn Bennett, an honorary member of Trent's board of governors, was named to the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation.

Occupational Health and Safety Annual Report – 2003-04

Bill Gibson, (Human Resources Advisor - Health and Safety) reviewed the 2003-04 annual report on Occupational Health and Safety which was received by the board. The report provided background information on the work of the Joint Health and Safety Committee, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Workplace Safety and Insurance, and Hazardous Waste Management. The report was approved by the board.

President's Objectives

The board received a final progress report on the president's objectives for 2003-04 and the proposed objectives for 2004-05 which received board approval.

Presidential objectives include:

  • Identify top priorities for action in academic and administrative areas from the Strategic Directions Plan approved by the board
  • Successfully open and occupy Peter Gzowski College and First Peoples House of Learning including putting in place financial arrangements for ‘gap' financing on building program
  • Officially open Chemical Sciences Building and Water Quality Centre
  • Implement new I.T. network in remaining buildings on East Bank
  • Support orientation for new VP Administration
  • Monitor and support development path of Athletics master plan
  • Review recruitment strategies in preparation for post double cohort
  • Oversee strategic direction of University finances: i.e. a) maintain balanced operating budget b) implement 2nd year of cumulative deficit plan c) implement year three plans for double cohort d) review staffing plans in context of proposed legislation ending mandatory retirement
  • Monitor and ensure progress on both Annual Fund and Fundraising objectives
  • Increase participation in fundraising calls and cultivation activities
  • Begin redevelopment of Stan Adamson Power House
  • Identify and gain Board endorsement of first endowment land project for revenue generation
  • Secure Ontario Innovation Trust matching funds for Canada Foundation for Innovation funds
  • Confirm direction and begin implementation of outcomes of Trent ‘branding' process
  • Implement an integrated Intranet and portal supporting web-based content and services for Trent-specific communities
  • Complete communications strategy update
  • Secure funding to implement preconstruction activity on DNA Partnership Building
  • Strengthen SSFC and UOIT relationships
  • Co-chair CUCC through its transition to be reconfirmed by MTCU
  • Continue as Chair of COU Relationships with other Post Secondary Institutions Committee
  • Continue to press Trent's case for funding with the MTCU – e.g., unfunded BIUs, Trent @UOIT funding level
  • Continue public speaking engagements and conference presentations
  • Develop institution-specific submission to the Rae Task Force reviewing post secondary education
  • Continue membership and active participation on COU Working Group on University Capacity and COU submission to Rae Task Force
  • Ensure production of Trent annual report that supports new government accountability and funding framework when confirmed
  • Participate in AUCC federal government advocacy strategy post June election
  • Complete term on AUCC Board and continue service on Standing Committee on Education Issues and Funding
  • Serve on Executive Committee, Nominating Committee and Working Group on University Capacity at COU
  • Continue service as member of the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities

Human Resources Sub Committee Report

The 2003-04 report of the Human Resources Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee was presented. The report highlighted that the sub-committee approved 10 promotions to full professor and six promotions to associate professor. Tenure was granted to eight members of faculty.

Posted June 25, 2004

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