WHY OURTRENT?
March 13, 2003
Because Trent University is our university.
Who are we?
We are a group of Trent alumni, former and current employees, students and interested citizens in the city of Peterborough, province of Ontario and Canada. We share one thing in common – an overwhelming love and concern for the continued health and well being of Trent University.
OurTrent.com – Documentation Repository.
OurTrent.com is also intended to be a repository for documentation on Trent University in particular and the Freedom of Information, accountability and transparency in postsecondary education in Ontario and beyond. If you wish to contribute to documentation, please send it to “editor ourtrent.com” along with explanatory notes you feel to be important.
Motivation.
Unfortunately, we have witnessed a deterioration of Trent University over the past several years. We have seen an absence of governance, a lack of accountability and responsibility, increased confrontation and secrecy, and a growing litigiousness. As a result Trent has been burdened by significant economic and social pressures (select “Media” in the menu bar above). These will only get worse and result in further deterioration of Trent we know and love. We must act together, and now if we want to turn these trends around and help Trent thrive.
Our analysis, conclusions and recommendations are not currently shared by either the Governing Council or the managers they hire. We believe that it is within Trent’s best interest to carefully evaluate and consider what we have to say instead of summarily reject what we consider to be constructive criticism. Although we are not confrontational, we recognize that our views and recommendations will be perceived as being so by those unwilling to evaluate them openly, and thus they will not be able to arrive at a logical or reasoned determination of their eligibility.
We emphasize that the focus on the site are positive, progressive and constructive. Some may experience discomfort in what is studied and recommended, and for those we once again emphasize our positive intention. There is wisdom in the adage “No Pain, No Gain”. This site is not a witch hunt and we do not participate in such activities. The reader is directed against the short review of Lionel Lewis’ book “When power corrupts: Academic Governing Boards in the shadow of the Adelphi Case” for a view of the context which is remarkable in the parallels with Trent.
Part of the purpose of this site at this time is to promote e-democracy, e-Accountability, e-government and demonstrate the use of this medium. Don Tapscott and David Tilcoll note in “The Naked Corporation” the power that stakeholders have “when stakeholders can see.” This then dictates that management, leadership and accountability structures Trent University must pass the test of living in the Age of Transparency, because as it turns out, not much may remain private for long.
Today, institutions and companies are increasingly being held accountable. Boards and management must understand that they live in a glass house, what Don Tapscott refers to as “Age of Transparency” in his book The Naked Corporation and the release of The Naked University © can not be far away. Trent University will have to develop and refine its leadership and management practices and policies accordingly. It is our goal to ensure the transition to responsible and accountable governance and management is a success.