The Trent University Board of Governors held its fourth regular meeting of the academic year on March 24, 2023, a lead up to two exciting on-campus events: the launch of the $100M Campaign for Momentous Change and the Community Concierge Celebration.

The Board of Governors were formally introduced to Trent’s inaugural Jarislowsky Chair, Dr. Cristine de Clercy. Dr. Mark Skinner, dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, welcomed Professor de Clercy to Trent and the Political Studies faculty, noting she is “exemplifying the best of Trent’s values participating in a ground-breaking network of endowed Chairs in challenging the way we think about the ethical practice of politics, fiduciary responsibility, and democratic governance.”

In a presentation to the Board where she shared her thoughts on the partners, goals and objectives of the chair position, Dr. de Clercy noted: “Leadership is an incredibly interdisciplinary body of research…Trent is a wonderful place in which to achieve these objectives. The quality of teaching, sincerity of Trent’s mission in educating a diverse population, and very personal engagement was terribly attractive to me and is the reason I am here today. I am happy to take up this mission.” Dr. de Clercy’s role as Jarislowsky Chair at Trent commences July 1, 2023.

Other highlights from the March 24 meeting:

Policy on the Commercialization of Research

Governors approved the Policy of Commercialization of Research, as presented by Doug Kirk, chair of the Finance and Property Committee, and Dr. Cathy Bruce, vice-president of Research and Innovation. The policy defined the University’s approach to generating, protecting and commercializing intellectual property (IP) of research conducted at, or connected to, Trent by personnel and students. The newly defined policy is required for all universities by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Operating Budget

The Board reviewed and approved the 2023/24 operating budget as presented by the Finance and Property Committee. The presentation of the operating budget included budget assumptions and recommended strategic investments for 2023/24, and multi-year high-level planning assumptions and financial forecasts for 2024/25 and 2025/26. Also included in the presentation are the recommended tuition fees and proposed ancillary fees which informed the 2023/24 budget.

Among the strategic priorities related to Trent University’s budget are: enhancing student supports; building co-op and experiential learning opportunities; an emphasis on internationalization and expansion of the Durham campus; and maintaining Trent’s strong financial standing.

Community Relations Report

The Board of Governors were presented with updates on community relations activities at the Peterborough campus. Governors were provided an update on Trent’s contribution to the Peterborough region over the past year, and local community engagement opportunities.

“We approach our collaboration with the community as a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and resources for the benefit of all,” said Julie Davis, vice president of External Relations & Development. “This is based on deeply held values that honour the founding of the University by the community, and our belief that our work is enhanced when community perspectives are infused early and throughout what we do.”

Some highlights shared with the Board included partnerships with downtown Peterborough through the Peterborough DBIA, the Community Speakers Series, Trent Day, community research collaborations, and ways that Trent continues to partner with community organizations to address an ongoing gap in the local rental housing market in the Peterborough region.

Following the Board Meeting, Governors took part in two milestone events, the Community Concierge Celebration – an event hosted by Careerspace celebrating connections of recent Trent graduates with local and rural employers, and the launch of the $100M Campaign for Momentous Change – the largest philanthropic campaign in University history which seeks to empower students, enable world-changing research, steward Trent’s iconic architecture, and vitalize campuses.