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Posted: Friday, November 28, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' MEETING - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2003 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS CONFIRM INCREASE IN NUMBER OF STUDENTS WITH 80 % PLUS AVERAGES Balanced budget projected for this fiscal year Key Performance Indicators A review of the University's Key Performance Indicators report for 2002-03 confirmed that approximately eight out of every 10 classes at Trent were in the one to 25 class size range, that seven of 10 first year classes were taught by tenured faculty, and that Trent researchers rank among nation's best for winning research grants. The University's indicator report is an annual study of student attainment, teaching and faculty research, enrolment, the supporting environment, financial indicators, and the Maclean's survey. The study confirmed that Trent continues to provide students with access to high quality academics at the undergraduate level and ranked first in primarily undergraduate universities in student retention rates. On a per capital basis Trent University ranked second in Canada in wining research grant awards per full time faculty members. In 2002-03 academic year Trent University increased the amount of monies received from the three federal government granting council agencies (SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC) by 32 per cent over 2001-02 levels. Grants from the Social Sciences area increased by 38 per cent while those from the Sciences area increased by 31 per cent. Overall, the University was awarded approximately $3.0 million – an increase from last year's allocation of $2.2 million. The average award in the Science disciplines was $53,221 and in Social Sciences was $18,780. With excellence in faculty research, Trent has seen its externally funded research (federal, provincial, municipal and private research grants) increased 2.5 times from $3M in 1996-97 to $10.2M in 2002-03. At the same time, the University's endowment fund has more than doubled from $8.7M to $20.2M. Endowments at Trent are used to fund investments in student assistance, library, academic research, colleges, academic departments and programs, and other specific funds. The data also show improvements in the average entering grades of first year students. In 2002-03, Trent University admitted 61 per cent of its new student body from secondary schools and CEGEPs with a grade point average (GPA) of 75 per cent or greater. Trent admitted 44 per cent fewer students with a grade point average less than 70 per cent, and increased admissions of students with GPAs of 70 per cent or better by 27 per cent. The proportion of the 2002 class with GPAs over 80 per cent increased to 35 per cent from 31 per cent – a 17 per cent increase over the 2001 class. The study also analyzed how the University spends its finances and draws its revenues from public and private interests. The fastest growing expenditure line item in the budget continues to be scholarships and bursaries for students. In 2002-03, the University spent $5.9 million on scholarships and bursaries, more than in 1998-99, when the University spent $2.5 million - an increase of 136 per cent. On the revenue side, operating grants represent 46 per cent of all revenue and tuition accounted for 32 per cent. The University has become increasingly dependent on tuition fees since 1998-99 and government policy requires that 30 per cent of tuition increases be set a side for student aid, which leaves only 70 cents for every dollar of tuition increase available to cover ongoing operating expenses. Budget Update In its update to the Board on the current operating budget projection, administration projected a balanced budget for this fiscal year and reaffirmed its plan to make a $365,000 payment to the accumulated deficit, provided that assumptions about government funding and enrollment levels remain accurate. It was noted that the payment will reduce the accumulated deficit from $6.9 million to $6.5 million. Enrollment Report An enrollment report prepared by the Office of the Registrar using November 1, 2003 numbers confirmed a 21.5 per cent increase in the number of full time students at Trent University. - Total enrollment of 7,295 (5,912 full time and 1,383 part time) - Overall, the number of applications received by Trent University in 2003 increased to 15,477, up from 8,607 in 2002. - The number of scholarship high school students with entering averages of 80-100 per cent increased by 72.3 per cent. - Course registrations at Trent's Oshawa campus grew a healthy 12.5 per cent, reflecting a 79 per cent increase in registrations at Oshawa since 1998. - The report also showed that part time enrollment for the same period decreased by 4.5 per cent Fundraising Council Report Board members were informed that the Fundraising Council has raised $1.25 million to date or 35 per cent of its $3.6 million goal for the 'Building Capacity' campaign in support of the building projects, CFI and Ontario Graduate Scholarships. The council has agreed to integrate the recently announced Ontario Student Opportunities Trust Fund (OSOTF) matching grant opportunities into its array of donor options. OSOTF is a student support endowment program. The potential amount that Trent could match through OSOTF is up to $4,222,126. President's Remarks President Patterson highlighted Trent's performance in the recent National Post report card on university research which ranked Trent 32nd out of 93 Canadian universities. She offered congratulations to Dr. Peter Dillon who was presented with the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal from the Royal Society of Canada, and Dr. Joan Sangster who was inducted as a new fellow in the society. Dr. Dillon is currently the Director of the Water Quality Centre at Trent University where he also holds the Ontario Power Generation-NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Watershed Biogeochemistry. Dr. Sangster is researching in two main areas, one of which focuses on colonialism and images of First Nations peoples in the post-Second World War period. She is also researching a book on women and work after the Second World War, particularly the organization of women workers as the labour force was transformed by an influx of women workers and the growth of new unions. The president noted that in its Throne Speech the provincial government reaffirmed its commitment to a tuition freeze, which will have a .5 million impact on Trent University. She indicated that executive heads have communicated their concerns to the Minister about the impact of a tuition freeze. Board members were advised that at Trent's Ontario University Athletics award event, 58 Trent student athletes who competed in Canadian competitions and maintained an 80 per cent plus average or better were recognized. News of each athlete's award has been sent by the Athletics department to media outlets in each student's home town to further recognize their accomplishments. - 30 - For more information contact: Don Cumming, Senior Director, Public Affairs, (705) 748-1011, ext. 1224 |
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