Registrar Paul Thomson adds the responsibilities of associate vice-president student affairs to his portfolio beginning Jan. 1.

        He succeeds John Burbidge, who has held the position since July 1, 1996.

        Trent's Board of Governors approved the appointment at its Nov. 28 meeting.

        As associate VP and registrar, Thomson will report to the VP academic and work in consultation with Senate committee on admissions and scholarships, and committee on colleges. He is responsible for student recruitment, admission, college assignment, registration, retention and academic records, and for student services in Financial Services, Health Services, Careers and Counselling, Special Needs and Athletics.

        Expected to be an advocate for Trent's college system, he will work jointly with college heads to promote residences, oversee food services and prepare budgets. He will act as liaison for college heads and administrators in relations with the VP administration and directors of Financial Services and Physical Resources. And he will be the administrator who is the point of contact for non-college-based student organizations and groups.

        Trent hired Thomson as registrar in June 1996. A graduate of McMaster University, he began his career as a liaison officer for his alma mater, worked for Simon Fraser University for four years with responsibilities for recruitment and academic support publications, and was founding registrar and senate secretary at the University of Northern British Columbia from 1992 to 1996.