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OurTrent Main Newsroom
 Effects of miscalculation: Boomerang high grads hurt Trent (Dec 8, 2004).
When eyesore becomes tradition - VP defends design and colours (Dec 8, 2004).
Local consultant warns Trent not to get swept away with DNA Cluster promotion and cites absence of sound planning. (Dec 6, 2004).
Trent provides a couple of DNA Cluster documents (posted Dec 2, 2004).
Students concerned over "questionable governance processes" ask board to delay project approval (Dec 1, 2004).
Trent alumni and Peterborough residents raise concerns over rushed DNA Cluster project l (Dec 1, 2004).
Lack of stewardship results in destruction of Trent's architectural masterpiece (Dec 1, 2004).
Board ignores concerns, lack of process and absence of business plan - gives approval to DNA cluster in principle (Nov 27, 2004).
Trent President Patterson on another Board criticized for secrecy! (Nov 27, 2004).
Trent DNA Cluster Project mismanaged, has no formal business plan, university documents show. (TCSA Press Release Nov 22, 2004).
OPSEU wants Universities accountable under Freedom of Information legislation (Nov 22, 2004).
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities believes there should be freedom of information in our universities (Nov 16, 2004).
ReviewRae website - Canadian Federation of Students alternative to the Rae Review.
 Postsecondary Review Newsroom.
DNA Cluster Freedom of Information Newsroom.
Whoops - another miscalculation: Fewer students than expected (Nov 1, 2004).
Trent urged to explain role in DNA Cluster plan (Oct 20, 2004).
Editorial: A call for transparency.
Daryl Bennett named Citizen of Year.
Trent in $9.2 million unresolved dispute with contractors - liens remain in place.
Ontario universities have dodged the provincial access−to−information legislation since the late 1980s.
OCUFA Study: Real Freedom of Information Needed at Ontario Universities.
Veil of secrecy surrounds Trent Board decision not to reappoint respected local businessman.
Too many closed doors at Trent.
Profs speak out against secrecy by Trent's Board of Governors.
Bullies in Security, Senior management failed to intervene: report.
Trent University's first president, Tom Symons, given key to City of Peterborough.
Don Mackay made Office of the Order of Canada.
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OurTrent has a new look - Check it out
If you have arrived here it is likely because of an old bookmark or a search engine cache.
But not to worry, we'll keep this collection around.
In the meanwhile, were' porting all documents to the new format.
See you at the revamped
www.ourtrent.com
Trent University machines used to subvert OurTrent's
Freedom of Information Poll.
See story on right.
Did you know that our Ontario universities are not subject to the Ontario Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation? If this concerns you then please take a few moments to review this site. Let's make certain that our Ontario universities become accountable and transparent and subject to public scrutiny! This will help all of us to keep costs down - and to assure that post-secondary education remains accessible and student debt is kept in check. |
OurTrent's Freedom of Information Poll has been temporarily suspended. Here are the results as of November 25, 2004.   Notice
On November 25, 2004 between the hours of
7am and 12:25pm EST there was an attack on this poll from 5 machines under the direct control of Trent University. We have documented the details >> here <<.
If anyone has an argument to present on the "No" side of this question we invite them to openly submit their views to the Editor at OurTrent and it will be posted. We specifically challenge those involved in the vote stuffing attack from Trent University to come forward and present their views publicly. There's no need to resort to childish tricks.
Interestingly enough the bulk of events (269) came from Trent University IP address 192.75.12.74. Insiders tell us this is on the IP network restricted to the university's servers and to information technology staff. This raises a number of very interesting concerns. |
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Freedom of Information fax petition:
Ontario universities have an exemption from Freedom of Information legislation. If this sounds crazy to you, add your name to this online fax petition from the U of O grads.
You may be shocked to know that Ontario universities are not subject to Ontario's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) yet, as stated in the Globe and Mail article, they receive nearly $2-billion a year in public grants. Don't you think universities should be subject to at least the same public scrutiny and accountability as government departments and agencies (like Hydro One and Ontario Power Generation).
In spite of being registered charities and receiving nearly $2 billion annually from you the taxpayer, Ontario universities are effectively completely unaccountable for what they do with this money and for how well they do, or don't, manage the institutions. They answer only to themselves. This is because Ontario universities are not subject FOIPPA. Universities claim their costs are soaring and say they need to raise tuition and say they need more taxpayer dollars but we have no way of confirming those claims other than blind faith in university managers. Students, taxpayers and parents are expected to continue to pay, and in the absence of accountability, transparency and public scrutiny, this is a social and financial injustice.
We think it's time for transparency and accountability in the management of our Ontario universities. We think the Ontario government should swiftly pass legislation to bring universities in full compliance with the Act. What do you think? You tell us.
It won't take much of your time to contribute to the movement to make Ontario Universities accountable.
In addition to casting your vote in the poll above, and participating in the online fax petition from the U of O grads, here are some suggestions;
- Gerry Phillips is the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet (Management Board Secretariat) that will make the decision to bring Ontario universities under the auspices of the Freedom of Information Act. Simply get on the phone and call the Honourable Gerry Phillips and tell him "It is essential that Ontario Universities come under the Freedom of Information Act". If you don't get him, leave a message with his secretary who is obliged to relay all messages to him. You can also send email.
Call Gerry Phillips at 416-327-2333
Or send email to: gphillips.mpp@liberal.ola.org
- Contact your local MPP and tell him/her that you too want our universities be subject to the Freedom of Information Act (they probably don't know the universities are exempt!). You can find your MPP's contact information at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario website.
- Participate in the Postsecondary Review chaired by former NDP Premier Bob Rae. There are links on that site to find out when the Town Hall meeting will be in your area and you can also contribute documents and other references.
- Keep reading the material here at OurTrent - and visit often.
You may be shocked to know that Ontario universities are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act yet, as stated in the Globe and Mail article, they receive nearly $2-billion a year in public grants. They should be subject to the same scrutiny as government departments and agencies.
On June 16 2004 the Globe and Mail reported that the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ann Cavoukian, recognized it would be a "consistent and next logical step" to include all postsecondary education institutions under Ontario's Freedom of Information Act.
The Ontario Confederation of Faculty Associations has added its voice to the growing debate, saying it's a "major weakness" to leave universities exempt from the FOI system. (Globe and Mail)
On this site we will have links to;
- Best Practices (governance, management, risk assessment, human resources)
- Objectives to strive for
- Self assessment (how to measure our progress)
- Legislation
- Recommendations
- Community documentation
- Other forums of commentary
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