Trent students are concerned over the secrecy of Trent's administration, rising costs, private companies benefiting from public dollars, the erosion of student space and Trent's rising debt. Tired of the veil of secrecy surrounding the DNA cluster project they want it stopped until their concerns are addressed and the cluster's financial stability verified through the release of the project's business plan.

Re the editorial “DNA Cluster: Look to the future” (Feb 22)

One cannot analyse the potential of the DNA cluster project without important facts and transparency from the administration of Trent University. At the board of governors meeting last Friday, students demanded the release of the business plan to which President Bonnie Patterson replied “the business plan is not a public document.”

With universities being exempt from the Freedom of Information in Ontario, private interests are being safeguarded against public concerns. The truth is that the administration has failed to convince the broader community at Trent of the viability of the project.

Student concern on the DNA cluster project is more than just corporatization, where private companies extract the benefit from research funding. The issues surrounding include accountability and transparency and also the financial stability of the project.

Trent University is already in a major debt following the closure of Peter Robinson College. The financial burden is being paid by students who are facing cuts from scholarships and bursaries and further dealilng with the erosion of student space. The newly constructed building - Gzowksi College – is a perfect example of how debt is affecting student space. In addition, there is Stratton House, an important downtown facility, once used to hold various student groups but now lying abandoned because of its deferred maintenance.

Your editorial coverage overlooked the diversity and intensity of student concerns. The point is: until the administration assures the financial stability of the cluster project and its cimmittment to public education rather than private benefits, the project remains a hidden plot against public concerns and the broader Trent community. And until these concerns are addressed, Trent students are going to continue to fight and put pressure on the administration for the immediate halt of the cluster project and the release of the business plan.

Amardeep Kaur Gill
George Street