The governing body of Trent University had given approval in principle for the construction of a $19.5 million DNA research and teaching facility to house Trent researchers engaged in DNA-related research.

A business plan for the project was discussed by the university's board of governors during a closed session of its monthly meeting yesterday.

The project will include laboratories for 11 biology and anthropology faculty members, academic office space, new space for graduate students and a home for the Trent-Fleming bachelor of science in forensic science program, states a release from the university's communications office.

The facility may also provide labs and office for the Ministry of Natural Resources staff conducting fish and wildlife DNA research as well as office space for the Peterborough Region DNA Cluster Corp. if leasing arrangements can be negotiated, states the release.

So far, $10.7 million in funding has been secured: $2 million from the City of Peterborough, $3.7 million each from federal and provincial innovation funds and $1.3 million from the Ontario Small Town Rural Development initiative.

Earlier in the meeting, Trent Central Student Association president Chris Glover read a letter from the student association's board of directors outlining concerns that the university administration was moving too quickly on the project and not providing enough information to students.

The letter from the student organization asked the administration to hold at least two public meetings with the university community and to "evaluate the project in its entirety" before moving ahead.

"Our concern is the speed at which these decision have been taken," Glover said.

A petition with 400 signatures asking eh administration to delay approval of the DNA cluster project until it has been examined in more detail and has the approval of the entire Trent community, was also presented by student association vice-president Shantel Ivits.

About 20 students sat in on the open session of the board meeting and a handful stayed after the meeting went into closed session. The students expressed a variety of concerns about the project, including the possibility the university could be left with the bill if the administration decided to go ahead before partners were confirmed.

Stirling Lafrance, a fourth-year student who was waiting outside the closed session meeting, said there has been a lack of discourse about the project between the board of governors and students and faculty.

"The board's willingness to hear us speak (in the open session) was a good start but so much more needs to be done," Stirling said.

The students suspected, but had not been told, the DNA project was under discussion in the closed session.

The administration's efforts on the DNA cluster have been dogged by accusations by some students and faculty members of secrecy and poor communications.

But Susan Clark, vice-president academic of the university, says the project has been evolving and the current proposal only came together about six weeks ago. Contractual issues and financial details that could affect negotiations with potential partners necessitated the closed session discussion today, she said.

"The process has not been as open concerning public meetings and keeping everyone up to date as it could have been," Clark admitted. "But this is a large and pretty complex project. It has morphed."

Clark said she will meet with the student association and other student groups next week to go over the plan that the board approved. Meetings with university senate and faculty board will take place the following week, she said.

The university will ask the Ministry of Natural Resources to come in as the major partner in the project, Clark said, as well as approaching the DNA cluster corporation to become a tenant in the building.

"If that doesn't work, we'll go back to the board," she assured.

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