The Board of Governors of Trent University met on Friday, June 15, 2018 at the Symons Campus in Peterborough for their last regular meeting of the 2017/18 academic year. At the meeting, in addition to receiving annual reports highlighting the year’s accomplishments, the Board held a year-end reception to honour the newly appointed governor emeritus, Eminent Service Award winners, and departing governors.

New Programs for 2018/19
Among the reports, the Board of Governors received an update from the Annual Report on Activities of Senate which included new programs that have received approved by Quality Council and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and will be offered in the 2018/19 academic year, including:

• Conservation Biology B.Sc. with co-op option
• Forensic Biology B.Sc.
• Forensic Chemistry B.Sc.
• Graduate Diploma and Master of Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment
• Master of Science in Forensic Science
• Master of and Graduate Diploma in Instrumental Chemical Analysis
• Master of Management – exclusive to Durham GTA Campus
• Mental Health & Addictions Nursing Graduate Diploma

Traill College Report
The Board also heard an update on the Traill College Report. Mandated by the 2016 Traill Review to expand Trent’s downtown college in the manner of a “traditional” college, Traill has seen growth in student usage and public interest. Starting in 2017/18, the College is now open late into the evenings and on weekends to accommodate the community made up of over 300 undergraduate students, 500 graduate students and nearly 400 adult learners from the greater Peterborough community who take Continuing Education courses.

Additionally, Traill has been designated the home of the Trent/Swansea Dual Law and Arts/Law and Business program with the intent of building a strong cohort of students in their first two years at Trent and preparing them for international studies in Wales. Starting in fall 2018, all Traill residence spaces will be reserved for students in this program and weekly activities for all law students, regardless of residence or college affiliation, will be held at Traill.

College Review Report

The College Review Committee chaired by Rosalind Morrow, with Nona Robinson, Tom Miller and Brenda Blackburn as members, also provided the Board with an update on the College Review Report during the meeting. The report recommends the University look for ways to enhance the colleges by fostering their relevance to academic programming, as well as encourage colleges to define themselves in their own unique ways, spearheaded by each college’s head.

Governor Emeritus, Honorary Alumni and Departing Governors Honoured

The Board meeting concluded with a year-end reception and presentations to honour newly-appointed governor emeritus Rod Taylor. This appointment recognizes and celebrates Mr. Taylor’s exemplary service to Trent University in his previous capacity as governor, as well as his continuing commitment to the University. 

In addition, the Board recognized and thanked governors who are completing their service on the Board in 2018: Ken Armstrong, Sue Graham Parker ‘73, Leslie Kerr, Ian Lord, Tom Miller '82, Sara Pieper '03, Hilary Stafford '12 and Andrew Stewart.

Sue Graham Parker, who received the Eminent Service Award during Convocation earlier this month, was further recognized for exceptional and extensive dedication to the University with the key to Alumni House and induction into the newly created Jade Circle. Additionally, Board members Ken Armstrong and Andrew Stewart were inducted into the Trent Alumni Association for exceptional service to Trent. As part of the year-end celebrations, President Leo Groarke presented Ken Armstrong with his Ontario Volunteer Service Award.  

About Trent University

One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.