Local News - Trent University needs to be more transparent about its role in the DNA Cluster project, charged faculty and students at a meeting last night.

The panel discussion attracted more than 60 people, many asking pointed questions about the plan to build a large DNA research park on university property.

The proposal would team the university with Sir Sandford Fleming, the economic development agency, the Ministry of Natural Resources and private companies to achieve two goals: advance DNA research and bring new jobs to Peterborough, said Trent vice-president Susan Apostle-Clark.

From the university’s perspective, the project is meant to create new research, teaching and study opportunities, she said.

For example, a proposed new building could house labs for the existing Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre.

The OPP could also join the effort, spurring new research in criminal forensic science.

Businesses can turn that research and regional knowledge into jobs, said project executive director Dennis Ferkany.

Biotechnology companies, suppliers and service providers, such as forensic testing experts Maxxam Analytics Inc., will thrive as a result of new research opportunities, he said.

“This project isn’t about buildings, it’s about relationships and turning ideas into wealth for the region,” he said.

But many at the meeting said they’ve been kept in the dark about the details of the proposed private-public relationship.

Panel member and professor Don Mackay said he appreciates the concerns of students. [OurTrent Editor's note: Don Mackay is officer of the Order of Canada]

“I believe it’s possible to forge a valuable link with the private sector, but it must be done with extreme care,” he said. “The project must contribute directly to the academic mission of the university, it must not infringe on academic freedom and it must be totally open and transparent to all concerned.”

Mackay argued the administration has adopted “an increasingly command-and-control type of governance” that has hurt communication with the Trent community.

Mackay and other audience members cited as an example conflicting reports of a planned 70-acre industrial park on campus property to accommodate the cluster.

Clark said the university only has concrete plans for two buildings now, on the East Bank of the campus behind the residences at Otonabee College.

The DNA Partnership Building is slated to be completed by December 2005, with the help of provincial and federal grants totalling more than $7 million.

A larger research park would only be considered if the project attracts new DNA-related businesses that want to locate near the research facilities, she said, adding buildings built with university money would house only academic research.

“A 70-acre research park, if that ever happens, is way in the future. I’ll have retired by then,” said Apostle-Clark.

Other audience members said the university has discouraged debate on issues surrounding the project, such as the influence of private companies, environmental effects on Trent nature areas and the cost to the university.

Apostle-Clark insisted most information should be in the public domain [1], adding five reports on the topic have gone to senate, as well as seven to the board of governors.

The board hasn’t given the project final approval, she added.

“We haven’t had a public forum like this before, granted,” she said. “I agree, secretiveness is not good. But I don’t think that’s a fair characterization (of the university) at all.”

[1] OurTrent editor's note: Ontario universities are exempt from Freedom of Information Legislation and therefore only the information Trent chooses to release is in the public domain. Please see the references under "Freedom of Information" in the menu above.

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