Professor 
George Nader’s academic freedom was infringed by the imposition of the Trent University administration’s reprimands in 2000 and by a subsequent and consequent refusal to reappoint him as principal of Peter Robinson College according to a CAUT report. "There can be no doubt his was an academic position, that advocacy was a part of his responsibility, and that he suffered negative consequences for the exercise of his right to speak out. ... In the circumstances, we consider that the university administration should apologize to Nader for infringing his academic freedom. We leave it to CAUT to consider whether sanctions against Trent University should be taken if an apology is not forthcoming."
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George Nader’s academic freedom was infringed by the imposition of the Trent University administration’s reprimands in 2000 and by a subsequent and consequent refusal to reappoint him as principal of Peter Robinson College according to a CAUT report. "There can be no doubt his was an academic position, that advocacy was a part of his responsibility, and that he suffered negative consequences for the exercise of his right to speak out. ... In the circumstances, we consider that the university administration should apologize to Nader for infringing his academic freedom. We leave it to CAUT to consider whether sanctions against Trent University should be taken if an apology is not forthcoming."
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The
grievance filed by two Trent University professors who were involuntarily tossed from their department and offices has been settled. The settlement document confirms and reinstates the professors' full collective agreement rights. The settlement includes a written apology from the University to Andreas Pickel and Mark Neufeld confirming Trent's failure to follow due process and for the harm and considerable distress caused to both as a result of management's unilateral decision to remove them from the Politics department.
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grievance filed by two Trent University professors who were involuntarily tossed from their department and offices has been settled. The settlement document confirms and reinstates the professors' full collective agreement rights. The settlement includes a written apology from the University to Andreas Pickel and Mark Neufeld confirming Trent's failure to follow due process and for the harm and considerable distress caused to both as a result of management's unilateral decision to remove them from the Politics department.
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Trent
president Bonnie Patterson received more than $309K combined salary and taxable benefits in 2006, an increase of more than $51,000, or 20%, over 2005. Taken separately the 2006 base salary increased by $43,181 (18%) while taxable benefits increased by $8,364 (37.2%). Trent's presidential remuneration has grown by roughly 76% over what it was in 1999. Trent's Maclean's ranking in the category of primarily undergraduate university has fallen to 10th place from 3rd place since 1998.
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president Bonnie Patterson received more than $309K combined salary and taxable benefits in 2006, an increase of more than $51,000, or 20%, over 2005. Taken separately the 2006 base salary increased by $43,181 (18%) while taxable benefits increased by $8,364 (37.2%). Trent's presidential remuneration has grown by roughly 76% over what it was in 1999. Trent's Maclean's ranking in the category of primarily undergraduate university has fallen to 10th place from 3rd place since 1998.
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D
avid Mahy, Trent University's controversial Associate Vice President of Human Resources, is rumoured to have submitted his resignation effective April 30, 2007. Mahy commenced his tenure at Trent on
September 11, 2000, just 6 months after Mahy's previous employer, where he was Director of Employee Services, lost a significant claim brought against them for wrongful dismissal. In Prinzo v. Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, the behaviour of the employer was "aggressive enough to fit into the tort of intentional inflection of mental suffering." Last year Trent paid Mahy in excess of $122,000. Stephanie Williams, Trent's current Manager of Labour Relations, is rumoured to be succeeding Mahy.
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avid Mahy, Trent University's controversial Associate Vice President of Human Resources, is rumoured to have submitted his resignation effective April 30, 2007. Mahy commenced his tenure at Trent on
September 11, 2000, just 6 months after Mahy's previous employer, where he was Director of Employee Services, lost a significant claim brought against them for wrongful dismissal. In Prinzo v. Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, the behaviour of the employer was "aggressive enough to fit into the tort of intentional inflection of mental suffering." Last year Trent paid Mahy in excess of $122,000. Stephanie Williams, Trent's current Manager of Labour Relations, is rumoured to be succeeding Mahy.
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Trent
president Bonnie Patterson was paid almost $258K in 2005 ($257,975.22). Patterson's total reportable remuneration increased by 5.3% (almost $13,000) over 2004. Taken separately Patterson's 2005 base salary increased by $10,800, or 4.8%, while her taxable benefits increased by $2,089, or 10.2%. As usual Patterson earned more than any other Trent employee according to the salary disclosure for 2005. But the question remains as to whether or not Patterson earned the increase on the merits of her performance.
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president Bonnie Patterson was paid almost $258K in 2005 ($257,975.22). Patterson's total reportable remuneration increased by 5.3% (almost $13,000) over 2004. Taken separately Patterson's 2005 base salary increased by $10,800, or 4.8%, while her taxable benefits increased by $2,089, or 10.2%. As usual Patterson earned more than any other Trent employee according to the salary disclosure for 2005. But the question remains as to whether or not Patterson earned the increase on the merits of her performance.
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Two Trent University professors have been involuntarily tossed from their department and offices. Capricious and egregious treatment of unionized (and tenured) professors will lead, as any reasonable academic manager should foresee, to the costly grievance procedure. In this case the Trent University Faculty Association (TUFA) has filed numerous grievances alleging that Trent, among other things, has breached academic freedom and practiced discrimination, including breach of the duty to accommodate which would be a violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code. These are certainly serious allegations which are even more disturbing as they are consistent with a trend of dysfunctional and problematic human resources management practices under the auspices of the board and President Bonnie Patterson and as administered by Associate Vice President Human Resources David Mahy.
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Randy Grims, the former Trent University security officer who pleaded guilty to stealing cash from Trent's parking machines, received a suspended sentence, probation for 18 months and 100 hours of community service. Grims was ordered to pay Trent the $2,977 he stole from campus parking machines.
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Trent security officer Brenda Whetung has been found guilty of public mischief. Whetung was charged after issuing a false complaint to the police claiming a
co-worker had assaulted her. Whetung lodged the false complaint after the co-worker had filed a complaint with the Trent Human Rights Office. Harassment of Trent employees has, unfortunately, a long history. Under the direction of David Mahy, Human Resources management has been particularly ineffective both in the prevention of such harassment and in addressing it when it arises.
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Trent security guard Randy Grims had pleaded guilty to stealing a total of $2,977 from Trent's pay-and-display parking machines. The Ontario Court of Justice heard that six separate thefts took place over the nine-month period spanning between May 9, 2003 and Feb. 17, 2004. Mr. Justice Ray Taillon asked Grims if he used keys to remove the cash boxes and steal the coins, Grims said he did.
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The trial of Trent University security guard Randy Grims is scheduled to take place at the courthouse this Thursday and Friday, May 12-13. Grims is accused stealing money from Trent's parking meters and is charged with five counts of theft under $5,000 (see "HR Managers Back Thief?"). Apparently as many as thirteen Trent employees have been subpoenaed to appear in court. As a result Trent University has announced, without explanation, a two-day closure of their Parking Office where many of these employees work. In addition former employees have been subpoenaed.
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Bonnie Patteron's salary increased again in 2004 to top $245,000 inclusive of taxable benefits. In this article we also post the salary disclosure chart for the other members of Trent's $100,000 plus club for 2004. (See related article Controversy, budget over-runs & legal battles: Give Pres a raise!)
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Despite 
a year of controversy, budget over-runs and legal battles Trent gave President Bonnie Patterson a 3.3% salary increase to top $245,000, inclusive of taxable benefits. According to board chair Reid Morden, "The board felt she performed extremely well" (Peterborough Examiner, March 11, 2005, page B1). If your organization's president had a record like this would you give her a raise and praise her performance?
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a year of controversy, budget over-runs and legal battles Trent gave President Bonnie Patterson a 3.3% salary increase to top $245,000, inclusive of taxable benefits. According to board chair Reid Morden, "The board felt she performed extremely well" (Peterborough Examiner, March 11, 2005, page B1). If your organization's president had a record like this would you give her a raise and praise her performance?
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Trent's very own Associate Vice President of Human Resources David Mahy played a major role on the employer's side in a wrongful dismissal of an employee. Prinzo v. Baycrest is a well known case that sets the standard for how employers should not treat employees. The trial judge did not look favourably upon Mahy's testimony, or his actions, and said of the employer's treatment of the employee that they "persisted such harassment with almost sadistic resolve". Six months after Mahy's employer lost the case brought against them for wrongful dismissal and damages, he was employed by Trent University! Jeffrey Goodman of Heenan Blaikie, a law firm used by Trent, commented on the Prizo case saying that the employer's behaviour was “aggressive enough to fit into the tort of intentional inflection of mental suffering.”
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very own Associate Vice President of Human Resources David Mahy played a major role on the employer's side in a wrongful dismissal of an employee. Prinzo v. Baycrest is a well known case that sets the standard for how employers should not treat employees. The trial judge did not look favourably upon Mahy's testimony, or his actions, and said of the employer's treatment of the employee that they "persisted such harassment with almost sadistic resolve". Six months after Mahy's employer lost the case brought against them for wrongful dismissal and damages, he was employed by Trent University! Jeffrey Goodman of Heenan Blaikie, a law firm used by Trent, commented on the Prizo case saying that the employer's behaviour was “aggressive enough to fit into the tort of intentional inflection of mental suffering.”
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This is the appeal of the Prinzo v. Baycrest decision. The basic facts of the egregious treatment of Prinzo by the employer (including Mr. David Mahy - now employed by Trent University as Associate Vice President of Human Resources) remained unchallenged.
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Two letters were published in the Arthur (Volume 38, Issue 23 March 29, 2004) and written in response to statements attributed to Mr. David Mahy in a previous article entitled "Bullies in Security". Needless to say, the reaction was strong and less than complimentary.
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Why is this woman smiling? Could it be because Trent President Bonnie 
Patterson was paid more than $240,350 in 2003 (salary plus taxable benefits). Given that Patterson has numerous responsibilities that take her away from Trent, some have suggested her Trent presidency is effectively part-time. Not a bad wage for a part time job! In this article we also post the salary disclosure chart for the other members of Trents $100,000 plus club.
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Patterson was paid more than $240,350 in 2003 (salary plus taxable benefits). Given that Patterson has numerous responsibilities that take her away from Trent, some have suggested her Trent presidency is effectively part-time. Not a bad wage for a part time job! In this article we also post the salary disclosure chart for the other members of Trents $100,000 plus club.
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Summary: Personal harassment and bullying has been rampant in the Security office for several years, according to a recent ombudsperson's report joint-commissioned by the university and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 365. A Security Officer appeared in court after being charged last month with public mischief after issuing a false complaint to the police. External report accuses Trent management of "insufficient action" and lack of intervention.
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Human Resources management (the now infamous Associate Vice President David Mahy and his Labour Relations Office Stephanie Williams) allegedly blindly supported their favourite employee, Security Guard Randy Grims, when he was accused of harassing and bullying female employees. Management refused to do anything to stop his bullying, which in effect supported the bully to continue.
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Salary disclosures show that by 2003 Trent president's pay increased more than $64,000 since 1997, that's more than 36%. When Trent president Bonnie Patterson left COU her 1997 salary and taxable benefits totalled $153,941.00. In 2003 Trent paid Patterson salary and benefits totalling $240,381.41. Patterson has responsibilities outside of Trent that absorb significant time on non-Trent matters.
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In this instance the Trent University Human Resources department, under David Mahy, failed to act to stop harassment of several female employees. This is not the only instance of Human Resources failing to stop harassment of other employees. However, in this situation there was an investigation conducted by an outside Ombudsperson in the fall of 2003.
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Professor George Nader, a respected and dedicated faculty member at Trent University, was denied reappointment as principal of Peter Robinson College by Bonnie Patterson and her administration. Nader publicly voiced his well documented analysis demonstrating that, among other things, Patterson's plan to close the two downtown colleges (in pursuit of SuperBuild funds) was not financially viable. Apparently this angered Patterson to the extent that Nader's reappointment was denied. CAUT has launched an inquiry to assess whether there were breaches of or threats to academic freedom in this case.
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George Nader, a respected and dedicated faculty member at Trent University, was denied reappointment as principal of Peter Robinson College by Bonnie Patterson and her administration. Nader publicly voiced his well documented analysis demonstrating that, among other things, Patterson's plan to close the two downtown colleges (in pursuit of SuperBuild funds) was not financially viable. Apparently this angered Patterson to the extent that Nader's reappointment was denied. CAUT has launched an inquiry to assess whether there were breaches of or threats to academic freedom in this case.
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UPDATED May 17, 2006: On June 16, 2003 each member of the Trent University board of governors (BoG) was given a document of some 300 pages entitled Re: Management Malfeasance in Information Technology & Human Resources, Non Union Employee Rights, Whistleblowing, the Absence of Mechanisms at Trent to Deal with these Matters (mechanisms that are in Existence at Most Other Universities), and Suggested Remedies. The document requested an independent investigation into the allegations it presented. To this date (May 17, 2006) the board of governors has refused to conduct said independent investigation. However, they tried to have the documentation destroyed in return for monetary payment to the author.
