The Trent University Board of Governors held its fourth regular meeting of the academic year on March 22, 2024 at the Peterborough campus with the following highlights:

Appointment of Board Chair and Vice-Chairs

Trent University’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Trent alumnus Doug Kirk ‘70 as the new chair of the Board for a two-year term, effective July 1, 2024.

Governor Kirk joined the Board July 1, 2020. Bringing a wealth of experience and dedication, he is currently the vice-chair of the Board and chair of the Executive Committee. He has played a key role in guiding the Board’s Finance & Property Committee and has been a strong advocate for the Durham GTA Campus, with roles on the Trent Durham Task Force, the Trent University Durham GTA Advisory Council, and co-chair of the Trent Durham Building Campaign. Beyond his contributions to Trent, as president and founder of Durham Radio Inc., Governor Kirk is a well-known figure in the broadcasting industry. Since acquiring its first station in Ajax in 1994, Durham Radio Inc. has grown to become the parent company and operator of stations in Sunderland, Toronto, Oshawa, Hamilton-Burlington, Haldimand County and Grimsby-Beamsville, and recently entered into an agreement with Bell Media Inc. to acquire stations in Peterborough and Lindsay. In previous roles, Governor Kirk worked in commercial lending at TD Bank and 18 years at Burns Fry (now BMO Nesbitt Burns) as an equities analyst specializing in the cable TV, media and telecom sectors where he climbed the ranks to become managing director in Investment Research.

The Board has also approved the reappointment of Kristi Honey to a second one-year term as vice-chair and the appointment of Krista Scaldwell to a one-year term as vice-chair, both beginning July 1, 2024.

Kristi Honey joined the Board July 1, 2022. In addition to serving as current vice-chair of the Board, she also played key roles on the Finance & Property and Executive Committees, as well as the Audit and Investment Committee, Trent Durham Task Force, and Presidential Review and Search Committees. Governor Honey is the chief administrative officer for the Township of Uxbridge, and brings over 25 years of executive leadership in both the private and public sectors and is an active volunteer supporting causes that promote human rights and environmentalism.

Krista Scaldwell ’86, a proud Trent alumna, joined the Board July 1, 2020, and is currently the chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. She has also served as chair of the Presidential Review Committee. Named among the top 100 Women of Influence in Business by the Women's Executive Network in 2020, Governor Scaldwell has had a leading hand in the success of many major industries both on a national and international level. Currently serving as the president of the Canadian Beverage Association, she has held vice-president roles in the area of public affairs and communications for Coca-Cola Canada, Canada Life, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group of Companies in Canada, and Bristol Myers Squibb Canada. Previously, she was a senior political staff member in the Ontario Government.

Student Leaders Luncheon

Acting as chair of the March 22 meeting, Governor Krista Honey welcomed representatives from the Trent Central Student Association, Trent Graduate Students’ Association, the Trent International Student Association, and college cabinets, as well Trent varsity student-athletes to the annual student leaders luncheon with the Board. In her opening remarks, she spoke to how the “Board welcomes the opportunity to meet with students to discuss key opportunities and challenges they are facing.”

Investment in Scholarships for New Students

The Board approved $1.7 million in in-year appropriations to be used as one-time top up to Trent’s entrance scholarships for selected groups of incoming students for fall 2024. The one-time Scholars’ Circle top-up is automatically added to Trent’s existing entrance scholarships.

Approval of 2024/25 Operating Budget

The Board reviewed and approved the 2024/25 operating and ancillary budgets as presented by the Finance and Property Committee. The presentation of the operating budget reflected current challenges and uncertainty, and included projections of modest enrolment growth, as well as provisions to mitigate potential impacts related to the federal government cap on international student study permits. The budget also outlines key strategic priorities including maintaining financial sustainability through a balanced operating budget, continued enrolment growth, building co-op and experiential learning opportunities, and enhancing student supports.

New Research Centre in Molecules, Cells & Systems

The Board of Governors approved a proposal that the current Molecules, Cells & Systems (MCS) Group at the University be designated as an official research centre. The Trent Centre for Molecules, Cells & Systems Research Group has been operating as a research group since January 2019. The research centre recognizes the work of researchers from across the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Science, Kinesiology, and Psychology to collaborate and apply the molecules to systems approach in their research. The Trent Centre for MCS Research will increase the visibility of molecules, cells and systems research at Trent, highlighting MCS as an institutional strength to the Canadian and international science communities.

Peterborough & Indigenous Community Relations Reports

Julie Davis, vice-president of External Relations & Development, presented both the Peterborough Community Relations Annual Report, as well as the Indigenous Community Relations Annual Report.

The Peterborough Community Relations Annual Report highlights the many contributions and regional initiatives supported by Trent this past year. Engagements included regular meetings with County and City officials, community events like "Explore the Boro" to introduce students to downtown businesses, and a successful workplace campaign for the United Way that raised $117,847 from staff and faculty giving. Priority issues like housing, transportation, and EDI were also supported through research symposiums, microcredentials, and student placements with groups including PRHC and Peterborough Police.

The Indigenous Community Relations Annual Report provides a summary of key actions and initiatives regarding Trent’s engagement with and support of and for Indigenous communities was presented – led by Community Relations office, the First Peoples House of Learning, and the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. In addition to regular and ongoing meetings with Treaty 20 and Williams Treaty Nations, the Métis Councils of Peterborough and Durham, and urban Indigenous communities, highlights include the creation of new multimedia learning resources like the Indigenous Protocol Guidebook, and continued collaborative planning for stewardship of the University Green Network.