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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Trent ![[ I forgot it was reading break - honest - I'm only a vice-president ]](/images/oleary-commoner-demolition.jpg "[ I forgot it was reading break - honest - I'm only a vice-president ]")
University has demolished the historically significant building known as The Commoner. Just three weeks ago, and in response to criticism from the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Vice President Don O'Leary announced the demolition was "postponed indefinitely and the university will take its time to make a final decision." In light of today's events O'Leary's announcement, coming as it did as Alumni gathered for the Head of the Trent, appears to have been calculated solely to deflect the potential of Alumni complaints over the destruction of this historical building. Is it any coincidence demolition began this morning, the first Monday of reading break when students are unlikely to be on campus to cause a fuss? Did Trent have any intent at all to honour O'Leary's announcement of the indefinite postponement of the Commoner's demolition? Are someone's pants on fire?
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University has demolished the historically significant building known as The Commoner. Just three weeks ago, and in response to criticism from the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Vice President Don O'Leary announced the demolition was "postponed indefinitely and the university will take its time to make a final decision." In light of today's events O'Leary's announcement, coming as it did as Alumni gathered for the Head of the Trent, appears to have been calculated solely to deflect the potential of Alumni complaints over the destruction of this historical building. Is it any coincidence demolition began this morning, the first Monday of reading break when students are unlikely to be on campus to cause a fuss? Did Trent have any intent at all to honour O'Leary's announcement of the indefinite postponement of the Commoner's demolition? Are someone's pants on fire?
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Under ![[Threatened by the wrecking ball?]](/images/commoner-theatened.gif "[Threatened by the wrecking ball?]")
pressure from the greater Peterborough community and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Trent University has agreed not to demolish the historic building known locally as "The Commoner", at least for the time being. Vice President Don O’Leary is on record saying "the demolition is postponed indefinitely," and for this is lauded by the Conservancy. O'Leary casts doubt on Trent's commitment to the building's future adding "the university will take its time to make a final decision." So the reprieve, though welcome, is temporary. Apparently O'Leary questions the historic value of the building, in spite of the Conservancy's evaluation, and relies on an architect's report alleged to say the building should be torn down. O'Leary denied the Conservancy access to that report. A 2004 report commissioned by Trent from Basterfield & Associates cites as an option "the renovation and retrofit of the old Commoner pub…into a state of the art office, retreat, and conference centre to support the goals and priorities of the New Commoner.", but no mention is made of demolition as an option. The demolition had been scheduled to proceed yesterday.
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pressure from the greater Peterborough community and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Trent University has agreed not to demolish the historic building known locally as "The Commoner", at least for the time being. Vice President Don O’Leary is on record saying "the demolition is postponed indefinitely," and for this is lauded by the Conservancy. O'Leary casts doubt on Trent's commitment to the building's future adding "the university will take its time to make a final decision." So the reprieve, though welcome, is temporary. Apparently O'Leary questions the historic value of the building, in spite of the Conservancy's evaluation, and relies on an architect's report alleged to say the building should be torn down. O'Leary denied the Conservancy access to that report. A 2004 report commissioned by Trent from Basterfield & Associates cites as an option "the renovation and retrofit of the old Commoner pub…into a state of the art office, retreat, and conference centre to support the goals and priorities of the New Commoner.", but no mention is made of demolition as an option. The demolition had been scheduled to proceed yesterday.
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What 
is the reason for Trent's falling Maclean's ratings? Here's what a local citizen had to say in a recent letter to the Editor of the Peterborough Examiner;
"Trent University's decision to not co-operate with Maclean's magazine's rating is understandable considering the university has dropped in its position under the presidency of Bonnie Patterson. At one time Trent regularly rated as the #2 small university across Canada behind Acadia. I think that under Ms. Patterson the university has altered its course, moving away from its strong base in a well-rounded liberal education encompassing not only academics but values that developed a strong social, community and personal conscience. I think this is why the university is steadily declining in its rating." Continue reading
is the reason for Trent's falling Maclean's ratings? Here's what a local citizen had to say in a recent letter to the Editor of the Peterborough Examiner;"Trent University's decision to not co-operate with Maclean's magazine's rating is understandable considering the university has dropped in its position under the presidency of Bonnie Patterson. At one time Trent regularly rated as the #2 small university across Canada behind Acadia. I think that under Ms. Patterson the university has altered its course, moving away from its strong base in a well-rounded liberal education encompassing not only academics but values that developed a strong social, community and personal conscience. I think this is why the university is steadily declining in its rating." Continue reading
Maclean's 
has filed Freedom of Information requests with Trent University seeking previously available information Trent President Bonnie Patterson now says will not be released to Maclean's. Twenty-one other publicly funded Canadian universities that refused to provide Maclean's with data have been similarly served in provinces where they are subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts. "As public institutions, universities have the responsibility to make this information publicly available," says Tony Keller, Maclean's managing editor, special projects. Patterson has always been quick to cite favourable Maclean's ratings but on August 30 2006 announced that Trent would not participate in this year's Maclean's survey. Trent's Maclean's ratings have fallen in recent years. Last October Patterson began a two-year term as chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the lobby group for Canadian universities.
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has filed Freedom of Information requests with Trent University seeking previously available information Trent President Bonnie Patterson now says will not be released to Maclean's. Twenty-one other publicly funded Canadian universities that refused to provide Maclean's with data have been similarly served in provinces where they are subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Acts. "As public institutions, universities have the responsibility to make this information publicly available," says Tony Keller, Maclean's managing editor, special projects. Patterson has always been quick to cite favourable Maclean's ratings but on August 30 2006 announced that Trent would not participate in this year's Maclean's survey. Trent's Maclean's ratings have fallen in recent years. Last October Patterson began a two-year term as chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), the lobby group for Canadian universities.
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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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Food 
services giant Aramark has been under criticism for their recent firing of a deaf and partially blind worker at the Ontario Science Centre. In addition to mounting concern over its labour management practices Aramark has, for some time now, been criticized for poor food quality. Not surprisingly, Trent University has contracted out the provision of its food services to Aramark. The apple never falls far from the tree.
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services giant Aramark has been under criticism for their recent firing of a deaf and partially blind worker at the Ontario Science Centre. In addition to mounting concern over its labour management practices Aramark has, for some time now, been criticized for poor food quality. Not surprisingly, Trent University has contracted out the provision of its food services to Aramark. The apple never falls far from the tree.
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The 
people responsible for the recent defacing of Trent's new "branding" billboards have explained their actions in a letter to The Arthur (the student newspaper). They are concerned about the move to corporatize and privatize post-secondary education, and Trent University in particular. They do not agree with Patterson's apparent commitment to transform Trent into a "money maker", unchecked by good governance practices. A more accurate slogan than the one coined by Trent's rebranding media moguls would be, in their opinion, “The World Belongs to Bonnie Patterson, Apparently.”
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people responsible for the recent defacing of Trent's new "branding" billboards have explained their actions in a letter to The Arthur (the student newspaper). They are concerned about the move to corporatize and privatize post-secondary education, and Trent University in particular. They do not agree with Patterson's apparent commitment to transform Trent into a "money maker", unchecked by good governance practices. A more accurate slogan than the one coined by Trent's rebranding media moguls would be, in their opinion, “The World Belongs to Bonnie Patterson, Apparently.”
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Don't 
be fooled! Trent's plan to create the Trent University Development Corporation to manage its endowment lands is still very much alive. Trent administrators wrote the final report prior to the end of period during which public comments on the draft version were officially being accepted. No public discussion of the draft was permitted. The first three parts of the four part Endowment Lands Master Plan were approved on January 27. But the board was silent on the fourth part, which recommends creating a separate corporation to oversee using lands to generate revenue. The new corporation would circumvent traditional bicameral management of lands and would likely be exempt from Freedom of Information legislation. Trent's president might find herself in a conflict of interest as she would also be the corporation's CEO. Until such time as Trent definitively kills it, the concept of a separate corporation to manage its lands must be considered alive and well and in the hands of the administration.
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be fooled! Trent's plan to create the Trent University Development Corporation to manage its endowment lands is still very much alive. Trent administrators wrote the final report prior to the end of period during which public comments on the draft version were officially being accepted. No public discussion of the draft was permitted. The first three parts of the four part Endowment Lands Master Plan were approved on January 27. But the board was silent on the fourth part, which recommends creating a separate corporation to oversee using lands to generate revenue. The new corporation would circumvent traditional bicameral management of lands and would likely be exempt from Freedom of Information legislation. Trent's president might find herself in a conflict of interest as she would also be the corporation's CEO. Until such time as Trent definitively kills it, the concept of a separate corporation to manage its lands must be considered alive and well and in the hands of the administration.
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No 
longer desirous to be identified as Canada's outstanding small university, Trent has unleashed a marketing campaign designed to disassociate itself from ideas its administrators appear to consider passé, and to define itself in terms of "products". Trent's newly minted slogan - The world belongs to those who understand it - has been criticized as elitist and devoid of intellectual humility. Some consider Trent's new packaging ill-timed at best, coming as it does just in advance of tuition hikes that have outraged students and parents alike. According to a recent letter in Arthur, the Trent student newspaper, a better version of the slogan would be The World Belongs to Those Who Can Afford It. Somebody sharing that sentiment vandalized a large and expensive billboard located across from the General Electric plant in downtown Peterborough.
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longer desirous to be identified as Canada's outstanding small university, Trent has unleashed a marketing campaign designed to disassociate itself from ideas its administrators appear to consider passé, and to define itself in terms of "products". Trent's newly minted slogan - The world belongs to those who understand it - has been criticized as elitist and devoid of intellectual humility. Some consider Trent's new packaging ill-timed at best, coming as it does just in advance of tuition hikes that have outraged students and parents alike. According to a recent letter in Arthur, the Trent student newspaper, a better version of the slogan would be The World Belongs to Those Who Can Afford It. Somebody sharing that sentiment vandalized a large and expensive billboard located across from the General Electric plant in downtown Peterborough.
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Trent
University is forcing the Ontario Audio Library Service (OALS) to move out of its campus location. University officials say they need the space for "administrative offices" (an administration apparently in continuous expansion). Trent will not renew its lease with OALS and has not offered the non-profit service organization alternative space, even at the under-utilized Argyle Street property. OALS provides audio resources for blind and learning disabled students at Trent and across the province. Being located at Trent for 30 years brought direct benefits to Trent students in need of services, and made it convenient for student volunteers. These benefits will be lost. OALS is scrambling to find new digs and is facing additional costs. OALS, just like Trent, receives primary funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Will the ironies never cease?
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University is forcing the Ontario Audio Library Service (OALS) to move out of its campus location. University officials say they need the space for "administrative offices" (an administration apparently in continuous expansion). Trent will not renew its lease with OALS and has not offered the non-profit service organization alternative space, even at the under-utilized Argyle Street property. OALS provides audio resources for blind and learning disabled students at Trent and across the province. Being located at Trent for 30 years brought direct benefits to Trent students in need of services, and made it convenient for student volunteers. These benefits will be lost. OALS is scrambling to find new digs and is facing additional costs. OALS, just like Trent, receives primary funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Will the ironies never cease?
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Bonnie 
Patterson recently announced Trent University will present Don Tapscott with an honourary degree this spring. Known as the "transparency guru" by some, Tapscott is a promoter of corporate responsibility largely because in the modern age of digital communications it is increasing difficult, if not impossible, for corporations to avoid disclosure. Tapscott says his views on transparency, accountability and responsibility apply to universities. Ironically Trent's administration appears to have earned a well deserved reputation for opacity in its governance practices, and for resisting transparency regardless of cost. Fawning Tapscott does not bestow upon Trent either transparency, accountability nor the respect and trust associated with those virtues. These things are earned by definitive action, not by proximity or association.
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Patterson recently announced Trent University will present Don Tapscott with an honourary degree this spring. Known as the "transparency guru" by some, Tapscott is a promoter of corporate responsibility largely because in the modern age of digital communications it is increasing difficult, if not impossible, for corporations to avoid disclosure. Tapscott says his views on transparency, accountability and responsibility apply to universities. Ironically Trent's administration appears to have earned a well deserved reputation for opacity in its governance practices, and for resisting transparency regardless of cost. Fawning Tapscott does not bestow upon Trent either transparency, accountability nor the respect and trust associated with those virtues. These things are earned by definitive action, not by proximity or association.
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A 
hydroelectric generation proposal at Trent would see the construction of a 15 meter (50') wide diversion canal on the west bank of the Otonabee River. The canal would run from lock 23 (2 locks north of Trent) southward past lock 22 to a proposed powerhouse just north of Champlain College, and then spill back into the river. The excavation would dramatically affect a unique Trent Nature Area, hitherto protected from such development. The public may initially submit written comments and/or objections no later than February 8, 2006 to the government agency who will then determine whether or not further public hearings will be held or if a Priority Permit will be issued without such hearings. To assist in formulating public input the details of the project are presented herein. We also highlight various issues worthy of review and further thought including issues of governance of university nature areas and whether the board indeed has unilateral authority to alter land use in the established nature areas.
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hydroelectric generation proposal at Trent would see the construction of a 15 meter (50') wide diversion canal on the west bank of the Otonabee River. The canal would run from lock 23 (2 locks north of Trent) southward past lock 22 to a proposed powerhouse just north of Champlain College, and then spill back into the river. The excavation would dramatically affect a unique Trent Nature Area, hitherto protected from such development. The public may initially submit written comments and/or objections no later than February 8, 2006 to the government agency who will then determine whether or not further public hearings will be held or if a Priority Permit will be issued without such hearings. To assist in formulating public input the details of the project are presented herein. We also highlight various issues worthy of review and further thought including issues of governance of university nature areas and whether the board indeed has unilateral authority to alter land use in the established nature areas.
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Tom 
Symons, founding president of Trent University, has been selected to serve on the Peterborough-Lakefield Police Services Board. With this appointment Dr. Symons continues to serve and contribute to the community he has called home for more than 45 years. "I'm very fond of this community; it's been very good to me and I hope this is an opportunity to contribute back," Symons told the local media.
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Symons, founding president of Trent University, has been selected to serve on the Peterborough-Lakefield Police Services Board. With this appointment Dr. Symons continues to serve and contribute to the community he has called home for more than 45 years. "I'm very fond of this community; it's been very good to me and I hope this is an opportunity to contribute back," Symons told the local media.
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Those 
pesky Trent students are at it again! Now they're speaking out and strategizing over policies which they say protect corporate interests at the expense of students. New administrative policies apparently restrict the number of student potluck events to two per officially registered group, and prohibit events such as the weekly free lunch put on by the Native Studies department. For some reason students are of the view that such policies serve only to prop up the Aramark monopoly to supply on-campus food service. Trent students, who have a history of successful activism, see these policies as indicative of the general erosion of student voice and space on-campus. And how did students plan to raise awareness and strategize about the issues? They held an "illegal" potluck on November 30!
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pesky Trent students are at it again! Now they're speaking out and strategizing over policies which they say protect corporate interests at the expense of students. New administrative policies apparently restrict the number of student potluck events to two per officially registered group, and prohibit events such as the weekly free lunch put on by the Native Studies department. For some reason students are of the view that such policies serve only to prop up the Aramark monopoly to supply on-campus food service. Trent students, who have a history of successful activism, see these policies as indicative of the general erosion of student voice and space on-campus. And how did students plan to raise awareness and strategize about the issues? They held an "illegal" potluck on November 30!
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Notice 
from four Trent professors stating the location of a proposed soccer complex is unsuitable has been ignored by Trent and the City of Peterborough. "Apart from the issue of annexing nature area lands for development purposes, we are concerned about the potentially serious health hazard posed to soccer players, both adults and children by the West Nile virus that may be spread by infected mosquitos living in adjacent wetlands." they said in letters to City council and Trent administrators. The professors noted numerous safety, financial, and environmental concerns associated with the proposed location and identified a viable alternative site. A city staff report indicated Trent rejected the alternate site with little reasoning. The soccer complex development at Trent is yet another example of the now infamous absence of transparency and accountability rampant in the management of Ontario universities and requires further investigation.
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from four Trent professors stating the location of a proposed soccer complex is unsuitable has been ignored by Trent and the City of Peterborough. "Apart from the issue of annexing nature area lands for development purposes, we are concerned about the potentially serious health hazard posed to soccer players, both adults and children by the West Nile virus that may be spread by infected mosquitos living in adjacent wetlands." they said in letters to City council and Trent administrators. The professors noted numerous safety, financial, and environmental concerns associated with the proposed location and identified a viable alternative site. A city staff report indicated Trent rejected the alternate site with little reasoning. The soccer complex development at Trent is yet another example of the now infamous absence of transparency and accountability rampant in the management of Ontario universities and requires further investigation.
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The 
communications pundits at Trent have been hard at it of late. Producing encouraging and self-congratulatory press releases, they tell us Trent is receiving top ratings from all corners. Not surprisingly, the administration’s media machine is reluctant to reveal all the facts because these are less than pleasant, and might be bad for sales: Trent’s rankings have slipped and are not exactly what Trent represents them to be. We all want Trent to regain the high national standing and recognition it once truly enjoyed justifying the proclamation that Trent is “Canada's outstanding small university”. But to run a university requires more than a greased communications department busy spinning and repackaging glitzy material to sell Trent with TV spots and ra-ra stories. Some serious and honest analysis is required if we are to identify why Trent’s ratings have fallen, and what obstacles must be addressed to recapture, and surpass, its former standing.
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communications pundits at Trent have been hard at it of late. Producing encouraging and self-congratulatory press releases, they tell us Trent is receiving top ratings from all corners. Not surprisingly, the administration’s media machine is reluctant to reveal all the facts because these are less than pleasant, and might be bad for sales: Trent’s rankings have slipped and are not exactly what Trent represents them to be. We all want Trent to regain the high national standing and recognition it once truly enjoyed justifying the proclamation that Trent is “Canada's outstanding small university”. But to run a university requires more than a greased communications department busy spinning and repackaging glitzy material to sell Trent with TV spots and ra-ra stories. Some serious and honest analysis is required if we are to identify why Trent’s ratings have fallen, and what obstacles must be addressed to recapture, and surpass, its former standing.
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Outraged by Trent's plans to grab about a kilometer of the historic and scenic River Road for its own use, the local and regional community has raised considerable opposition. It appears wide spread public opposition has caused Trent to acknowledge the road grab is neither required or justified. The public has put Trent on notice that it will face active and vocal opposition in any future moves to pursue such plans.
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It 
appears that Ontario Universities will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to remain unaccountable to the public. What is it exactly that universities have to hide? Why are they afraid of operating transparently and being subject to public scrutiny? After all, Ontario Universities are funded by the taxpayer and they receive federal taxpayer money as well. According to the Trent student newspaper Arthur, in the September 30, 2005 Trent board meeting Bonnie "Patterson expressed her hopefulness that a private members’ bill currently being discussed in the province would ultimately exempt universities from the FOIPPA." (the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). Notwithstanding that Ontario universities are in fact exempt from FOIPPA, this report is worthy of further investigation.
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appears that Ontario Universities will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to remain unaccountable to the public. What is it exactly that universities have to hide? Why are they afraid of operating transparently and being subject to public scrutiny? After all, Ontario Universities are funded by the taxpayer and they receive federal taxpayer money as well. According to the Trent student newspaper Arthur, in the September 30, 2005 Trent board meeting Bonnie "Patterson expressed her hopefulness that a private members’ bill currently being discussed in the province would ultimately exempt universities from the FOIPPA." (the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act). Notwithstanding that Ontario universities are in fact exempt from FOIPPA, this report is worthy of further investigation.
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The 
board of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is coming under public criticism for operating in secrecy. Hospital officials are putting together their next balanced-budget plan behind closed doors. An editorial in the local paper concisely identifies the problem: "PRHC is a public body supplying a publicly-funded service. The board has an obligation to debate its spending plans and the effect those plans have on health care in public, not huddle with the ministry behind closed doors and then announce a prescription." Another publicly-funded organization, Peterborough’s Trent University, has been repeatedly criticized for operating in secrecy without transparency or accountability. Bonnie Patterson, Trent's president, is the chair of the PRHC board. Do we see a trend?
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board of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is coming under public criticism for operating in secrecy. Hospital officials are putting together their next balanced-budget plan behind closed doors. An editorial in the local paper concisely identifies the problem: "PRHC is a public body supplying a publicly-funded service. The board has an obligation to debate its spending plans and the effect those plans have on health care in public, not huddle with the ministry behind closed doors and then announce a prescription." Another publicly-funded organization, Peterborough’s Trent University, has been repeatedly criticized for operating in secrecy without transparency or accountability. Bonnie Patterson, Trent's president, is the chair of the PRHC board. Do we see a trend?
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Always 
quick to shine the media spotlight on President Bonnie Patterson and itself, Trent has been uncharacteristically silent about this past weekend's "Public Symposium" billed to be attended by 130 of the world's top scientists, researchers and medical experts. Following a kick-off reception and hobnob at the Canadian Canoe Museum Thursday evening, the agenda scheduled Patterson to be the first speaker on Friday morning. Trent Chancellor and board member Dr. Roberta Bondar was to deliver the welcoming address following Patterson. Trent's efforts to inform the public in advance of the symposium appear to be limited to a scant notation in the "Upcoming Events" section of Focus Trent on September 8, 2005. That announcement conveniently left he word "public" out, provided no detail and simply pointed readers to the International Consortium on Anti-Virals (ICAV) website. Given Trent's normal predilection for publicity, one has to wonder why the silence in this case? Could this have been to deflect attention from some issues Trent would rather not have the public be informed about?
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quick to shine the media spotlight on President Bonnie Patterson and itself, Trent has been uncharacteristically silent about this past weekend's "Public Symposium" billed to be attended by 130 of the world's top scientists, researchers and medical experts. Following a kick-off reception and hobnob at the Canadian Canoe Museum Thursday evening, the agenda scheduled Patterson to be the first speaker on Friday morning. Trent Chancellor and board member Dr. Roberta Bondar was to deliver the welcoming address following Patterson. Trent's efforts to inform the public in advance of the symposium appear to be limited to a scant notation in the "Upcoming Events" section of Focus Trent on September 8, 2005. That announcement conveniently left he word "public" out, provided no detail and simply pointed readers to the International Consortium on Anti-Virals (ICAV) website. Given Trent's normal predilection for publicity, one has to wonder why the silence in this case? Could this have been to deflect attention from some issues Trent would rather not have the public be informed about?
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Updated October 11, 2006: CUPE Local 3908 
has it's own website! OurTrent was temporatily publishing electronic copies of The Beacon, the newsletter of CUPE Local 3908, Unit 1 on their behalf. Issues of The Beacon are published and archived there. CUPE Local 3908 represents contract faculty and part-time instructors at Trent University. The Beacon is published twice every academic year, once in the fall term, and once in the spring. The Beacon aims to publish material that is of interest to the members of the Local and that deals broadly with university or union issues. Contributions from Local members and from the general public are warmly encouraged.
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has it's own website! OurTrent was temporatily publishing electronic copies of The Beacon, the newsletter of CUPE Local 3908, Unit 1 on their behalf. Issues of The Beacon are published and archived there. CUPE Local 3908 represents contract faculty and part-time instructors at Trent University. The Beacon is published twice every academic year, once in the fall term, and once in the spring. The Beacon aims to publish material that is of interest to the members of the Local and that deals broadly with university or union issues. Contributions from Local members and from the general public are warmly encouraged.
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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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Universiteit 
Leiden (Netherlands) hosted an International Symposium entitled Whose University is it? this past June 8, 2005. The name of the symposium was taken from the film of the same name produced about Trent by Trent alumni James Motluk and Mark Wright (Guerilla Films Inc). The symposium examined with particular interest the issues of universities as state or private institutions in the Netherlands. The film Whose University is it?, which critically examines a similar theme using Trent University (SuperBuild/Gzowski College) as an example, was shown at the symposium.
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Leiden (Netherlands) hosted an International Symposium entitled Whose University is it? this past June 8, 2005. The name of the symposium was taken from the film of the same name produced about Trent by Trent alumni James Motluk and Mark Wright (Guerilla Films Inc). The symposium examined with particular interest the issues of universities as state or private institutions in the Netherlands. The film Whose University is it?, which critically examines a similar theme using Trent University (SuperBuild/Gzowski College) as an example, was shown at the symposium.
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The 
primary architect of Trent University's main campus was Ronald J. Thom. Cited as one of Canada's pre-eminent modern architects, Thom's work was recently admired and praised at the first ever gathering of DOCOMOMO Canada, a group of architects and historians dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings and sites of the modern architecture movement. It is truely unfortunate that the current administration's absence of stewardship has lead to the destruction of the architectural masterpiece that was Trent.
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primary architect of Trent University's main campus was Ronald J. Thom. Cited as one of Canada's pre-eminent modern architects, Thom's work was recently admired and praised at the first ever gathering of DOCOMOMO Canada, a group of architects and historians dedicated to the documentation and conservation of buildings and sites of the modern architecture movement. It is truely unfortunate that the current administration's absence of stewardship has lead to the destruction of the architectural masterpiece that was Trent.
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Yet another observation by those in the world of architecture that Gzowski College is a blight on the landscape and is completely incongruous with, and has destroyed, Trent's well known and respected architectural tradition. Quite a legacy for the current administration who is responsible.
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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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An interesting connection to Trent University and the tragedy of Air India flight 182 on June 22, 1985 has come to light. Former CSIS head Reid Morden is the chair of Trent's board. Bob Rae has been appointed to advise the feds if there should be an inquiry over how the investigation and prosecution was handled. CSIS destroyed surveillance tapes, an act Morden said was justified, albeit the destruction occurred before his time as CSIS head. Morden and Rae worked together fundraising for Trent's building projects. Rae prevously sat on SIRC, the body responsible for overseeing CSIS.
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Trent 
president Bonnie Patterson informs us that the quality of a Trent education will suffer if the province doesn’t "fix" university funding. University administrators do seem to have a fondness for casting blame everywhere but on themselves. We agree with Patterson that a fundamental change in government funding is needed, but it is not simply to hand universities more unaccountable money, as Patterson would have us believe. A far more sensible "government fix" is that universities be made subject to FOI legislation and be forced in law to operate transparently and accountably BEFORE receiving additional funding. That’s how we can best assure the quality of a Trent education does not suffer.
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president Bonnie Patterson informs us that the quality of a Trent education will suffer if the province doesn’t "fix" university funding. University administrators do seem to have a fondness for casting blame everywhere but on themselves. We agree with Patterson that a fundamental change in government funding is needed, but it is not simply to hand universities more unaccountable money, as Patterson would have us believe. A far more sensible "government fix" is that universities be made subject to FOI legislation and be forced in law to operate transparently and accountably BEFORE receiving additional funding. That’s how we can best assure the quality of a Trent education does not suffer.
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Trent 
University students demand the opening of the Gzowski Cafeteria to all students and the public (not just those paying for a meal) as well as the creation of a public and common space in Gzowksi College. The students are opposed the growing corporatization and privatization of the university. "Private space is not welcome here." Concerned also about the erosion of the college system so crucial to Trent's uniqueness, the students demanded the administration reaffirm its commitment to the university's college system. See the Trent Action press release, distributed following the action, as well as the article published in Peterborough This Week
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University students demand the opening of the Gzowski Cafeteria to all students and the public (not just those paying for a meal) as well as the creation of a public and common space in Gzowksi College. The students are opposed the growing corporatization and privatization of the university. "Private space is not welcome here." Concerned also about the erosion of the college system so crucial to Trent's uniqueness, the students demanded the administration reaffirm its commitment to the university's college system. See the Trent Action press release, distributed following the action, as well as the article published in Peterborough This Week
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Remember the Trent 8? Back in March 2001 eight female students peacefully occupied the offices of the Vice-President (Academic). In face of President Bonnie Patterson's insistence on closing Trent's downtown Peter Robinson and Traill Colleges without meaningful debate or consideration of economic analysis demonstrating the folly of that decision and the wisdom of retaining the colleges, the "Trent 8" felt they had exhausted all other means engage Patterson and her board in discussion. Patterson's response was to call in the riot squad to bust in and arrest the women in the dead of night, perhaps to discredit them by branding them as mere criminals? Three of the Trent 8 have just received SSHCR scholarships and a fourth member was admitted to some of the top Masters’ programs in education in the country.
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A rally and speak-out is being held to create public space at Gzowski College and to express discontent with privatization and corporatization of public space on campus. Trent Action has announced Another Show of Solidarity - Mass Mobilization Rally and Sit-in to Take Back Student/Public Space. Bata Podium - 2pm – on Thursday April 7th 2005
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According to this Peterborough Examiner article students comment that Trent's new Gzowski college is considered ugly and Trent degrees look so unprofessional it would be embarrassing to show them off. One student thinks the Trent degree looks like a photocopy: "You spend years of your life here, spend $40,000, and then get handed this piece of crap paper that you just spent four years working for."
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Problems never seem to end with Trent University's new Gzowski College.
Touted by president Bonnie Patterson to be an economic cure-all, its existence commenced with a costly and divisive legal battle surrounding the closing of the town colleges. The actual building opened year late, is at least $3.2-million over budget, has
$9.2-million in contractors liens outstanding, and has gained wide recognition as an architectural eyesore. Now it may be that living in Gzowski College is a health hazard. If this is so might Trent expect future lawsuits?
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If we read this letter to the Arthur correctly, Trent's Office of Student Affairs (OSA) wants to size control of independent student pubs so they can consolidate them into one under OSA. The rub is that OSA officials say they'd lose money! The letter was written by a former member of Senate and past Trent Central Student Association President.
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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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We’re 
told that Trent has removed all of the energy-efficient, light pollution reducing roadway light fixtures and replaced them with new fixtures that suck up energy and throw light in all directions. Has Trent contradicted its own commitment to be environmentally responsible? It sounds light a move that fits with the well deserved criticism of blight on the landscape on the landscape known as Gzowski College.
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told that Trent has removed all of the energy-efficient, light pollution reducing roadway light fixtures and replaced them with new fixtures that suck up energy and throw light in all directions. Has Trent contradicted its own commitment to be environmentally responsible? It sounds light a move that fits with the well deserved criticism of blight on the landscape on the landscape known as Gzowski College.
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Trent 
Action has risen from the virtual ashes to (re)launch the TrentAction website described "as a resource network for news and actions on the latest happenings at Trent against the corporatization and centralization at Trent." Currently under construction, the TrentAction website provides another avenue of desperately needed vigilance over events at Trent University in an effort to bring into being transparency and accountability in the governance of universities with a focus on Trent University.
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Action has risen from the virtual ashes to (re)launch the TrentAction website described "as a resource network for news and actions on the latest happenings at Trent against the corporatization and centralization at Trent." Currently under construction, the TrentAction website provides another avenue of desperately needed vigilance over events at Trent University in an effort to bring into being transparency and accountability in the governance of universities with a focus on Trent University.
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D
rawing on such examples as fall of Enron, the Canadian Federal Sponsorship scandal, the shadow of Adelphi (and Lionel Lewis' publication When Power Corrupts), the Canadian Charities Act, the Conrad Black/Hollinger saga, the financial and legal woes that plague Trent University, and other matters of law and ethics, including encouragement and legal protection for whistleblowers, Freedom of Information legislation, the role and obligations of members of Boards of Governors, "The Naked University" © offer invaluable advice on how to lead educational institutions in the new age, rather than simply react to it. The Naked University © will demonstrate that embracing transparency and accountability in the management of universities is within the interests of the institution and the public. It will show definitively that it is within the best interests of the institution to immediately terminate the employment of those individual managers (including presidents) who are threatened by having to be accountable, or cannot in fact live up to accountability standards.
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rawing on such examples as fall of Enron, the Canadian Federal Sponsorship scandal, the shadow of Adelphi (and Lionel Lewis' publication When Power Corrupts), the Canadian Charities Act, the Conrad Black/Hollinger saga, the financial and legal woes that plague Trent University, and other matters of law and ethics, including encouragement and legal protection for whistleblowers, Freedom of Information legislation, the role and obligations of members of Boards of Governors, "The Naked University" © offer invaluable advice on how to lead educational institutions in the new age, rather than simply react to it. The Naked University © will demonstrate that embracing transparency and accountability in the management of universities is within the interests of the institution and the public. It will show definitively that it is within the best interests of the institution to immediately terminate the employment of those individual managers (including presidents) who are threatened by having to be accountable, or cannot in fact live up to accountability standards.
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Don
Tapscott, One of Trent's favourite sons, preaches "How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionize Business". In today's world the most closely guarded secrets of how business conduct themselves end up posted on the Internet, naked for all to see. Corporations had better become transparent willingly, because otherwise they'll have to forego oodles of future profit. Anna Lopes, Trent University board member and Tapscott's wife, is said to have provided "valuable ideas and advice" to The Naked Corporation which Tapscott co-authored with David Ticoll. (See related article on the future publication "The Naked University ©".) In their honour, Trent hosts the annual Don Tapscott and Ana Lopes Business and Society Lecture Series.
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Tapscott, One of Trent's favourite sons, preaches "How the Age of Transparency Will Revolutionize Business". In today's world the most closely guarded secrets of how business conduct themselves end up posted on the Internet, naked for all to see. Corporations had better become transparent willingly, because otherwise they'll have to forego oodles of future profit. Anna Lopes, Trent University board member and Tapscott's wife, is said to have provided "valuable ideas and advice" to The Naked Corporation which Tapscott co-authored with David Ticoll. (See related article on the future publication "The Naked University ©".) In their honour, Trent hosts the annual Don Tapscott and Ana Lopes Business and Society Lecture Series.
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Remember 
the TrentAction website? It was the original on-line repository for news on the resistance movement whose zany antics have enraged Trent's resident neo-cons and grabbed headlines nationwide. After a dissappearing into the ether for a while the TrentAction website has been archived and is now available at OurTrent. This historical record contains news about the Judicial Review Appeal, the Trent Eight, the 'transitions' afoot at PR and elsewhere at Trent, and more.
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the TrentAction website? It was the original on-line repository for news on the resistance movement whose zany antics have enraged Trent's resident neo-cons and grabbed headlines nationwide. After a dissappearing into the ether for a while the TrentAction website has been archived and is now available at OurTrent. This historical record contains news about the Judicial Review Appeal, the Trent Eight, the 'transitions' afoot at PR and elsewhere at Trent, and more.
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The 2004 award for architecture that "continues to provoke, anger and disappoint" goes to... the new Gzowski College at Trent University!
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This was the title to Ed Arnold's regular weekly contribution to the Peterborough Examiner (Monday December 13, 2004, page B3). Chaulk up another voice critical of "the travesty of design" that is the Peter Gzowski College. It appers the only defenders of the design are President Bonnie Patterson and her administration who together created, and then saddled Trent and Peterbrough with, this "loathsome building" as their legacy. They will indeed be remembered!
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Penar Musaraj of The Arthur, Trent's student newspaper, aptly observes the Trent administration's knee jerk defence in response to Lisa Rochon's criticism of the architecture as a public relation battle. "Anyone that has seen the new building can easily tell that it breaks considerably from the rest of the campus’ architecture. Trent charged Rochon with misinformation and lack of fact-checking, meaning, really, that her article had not gone through Trent’s PR lens."
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Graham Taylor was the Vice President (Academic) who had major responsibilities to oversee the building projects on the east bank, including what some have called an "eyesore" known as Gzowski College. Presumably Mr. Taylor would have been directly responsible for identifying and assuring the buildings would meet the needs of the academic community within the established budget. It is public knowledge that building project was over budget by at least $3.2M and was saddled with contractor's liens in excess of $9M. Allegedly Mr. Taylor was responsible for a massive under-evaluation of the project's information technology infrastructure costs, accounting for a significant portion of the cost over-runs. In his letter to the Globe and Mail Mr. Taylor acknowledges that he remains uncertain that Gzowski College will overcome the problems it was intended to meet. It's an interesting admission from a senior administrator who played a pivotal role in guiding the project.
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There are many more who agree with Ms. Rochon's assessment that Gzowski College amounts to an eyesore that has destroyed the architectural beauty of Trent University, in spite of the assertions of vice-president Clark's assertion to the contrary. Check out these letters to the Globe and Mail....
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The VP responds to the Globe and Mail article of "The Mugging Of Thom's Trent", December 1, 2004. This article explains that the new Gzowski College has destroyed the architectural masterpiece that was Trent. Trent's administration appears particularly sensitive to any further embarrassment or criticism of how they "manage" building projects, and this one in particular.
In an attempt to justify itself, Vice President Clark wrote a letter to the Gobe and Mail and Trent management has unleashed a publicity spin entitled "In Defence of the Architectural Vision of Peter Gzowski College" to counter Ms. Rochon's article. Notably absent from the VP's response are documentation and references to back up her assertions defending a what many have identified as a terrible and out-of-context design. Continue reading
In an attempt to justify itself, Vice President Clark wrote a letter to the Gobe and Mail and Trent management has unleashed a publicity spin entitled "In Defence of the Architectural Vision of Peter Gzowski College" to counter Ms. Rochon's article. Notably absent from the VP's response are documentation and references to back up her assertions defending a what many have identified as a terrible and out-of-context design. Continue reading
Another error. This time Trent management miscalculated the number of students and counted on that number for the funding they would provide. It seems hardly accurate nor fair to blame students themselves for the negative effects of a management decision that failed to materialize and resulted in a financial shortfall of around $1.75 million.
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A
bsence of stewardship leads to destruction of architectural masterpiece that was Trent. In addition to serious financial problems, the new buildings at Trent university have destroyed a unique architectural environment. Another "legacy" of the current administration? Lisa Rochon of the Globe and Mail is not impressed with the new Gzowski College and observes; "...In Canada, it's forbidden to burn books or slash a knife through a great canvas. It only follows that what's required here as well is a zero-tolerance policy for the destruction of masterful architecture. It's tragic to say, but Thom's masterpiece at Trent is now gone."
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bsence of stewardship leads to destruction of architectural masterpiece that was Trent. In addition to serious financial problems, the new buildings at Trent university have destroyed a unique architectural environment. Another "legacy" of the current administration? Lisa Rochon of the Globe and Mail is not impressed with the new Gzowski College and observes; "...In Canada, it's forbidden to burn books or slash a knife through a great canvas. It only follows that what's required here as well is a zero-tolerance policy for the destruction of masterful architecture. It's tragic to say, but Thom's masterpiece at Trent is now gone."
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Trent has had to put off hiring new staff to shave $1.75 million from its $70-million budget. This was as a result of reliance upon the administration's projections for large enrolment increases this year - increases that just didn't pan out.
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Daryl 
Bennett was named the 2004 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year during the Peterborough Business Excellence Awards at the Parkway Centre on October 20, 2004. This is the very same outstanding citizen who was removed from Trent's Board of Governors without explanation. Does it not seem extremely odd and unusual that a local businessman of stellar character was removed from Trent's BoG only 4 months earlier? Perhaps the Trent administration prefers board members to be "advisory" in nature rather than fulfilling their obligation to be active in the "governance" of Trent?
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Bennett was named the 2004 Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year during the Peterborough Business Excellence Awards at the Parkway Centre on October 20, 2004. This is the very same outstanding citizen who was removed from Trent's Board of Governors without explanation. Does it not seem extremely odd and unusual that a local businessman of stellar character was removed from Trent's BoG only 4 months earlier? Perhaps the Trent administration prefers board members to be "advisory" in nature rather than fulfilling their obligation to be active in the "governance" of Trent?
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Tom 
Symons, Trent University's founding president, has received many awards and accolades for his contributions. We were most pleased to see him receive the key to the City of Peterborough.
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Symons, Trent University's founding president, has received many awards and accolades for his contributions. We were most pleased to see him receive the key to the City of Peterborough.
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In spite of being encumbered by the outstanding $9.2 million contractor's lien on its new chemical sciences building Trent University will open the facility’s doors to the public while it continues to wrangle with the general contractor.
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Prompted by articles in the local media about the mysterious and secretive removal of prominent Peterborough businessman Daryl Bennett’s from Trent’s board of governors several prominent Trent University professors speak out. The professors say the school is being run like a private business and are calling for more transparency and better rapport with the top levels. “The absence of information is unparalleled at any university,.. It’s a tragedy to see the silencing of Trent.”
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Trent University’s board of governors should look at its “open door” policy, which allows too many closed doors, reports Ed Arnold of the Peterborough Examiner. "Public institutions that act like private clubs, spending millions upon millions of taxpayer’s dollars, should learn they are public and strive to be as open as possible."
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Trent University is mired in a legal battle over its new $20-million science facility, which was beset by construction delays and is millions of dollars over budget. Trent now faces contractor's liens in excess of $9 million. Documents obtained by The Peterborough Examiner show 13 companies have not been paid $3,008,597 by general contractor Vanbots Construction Corp. Vanbots, the company that oversaw construction of the Chemical Sciences Building, says the university still owes it $6,213,008 for its work on the $19,617,381 project.
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Local architect who worked with Ron Thom says design of new Gzowski College is flawed. Noble is convinced that both Tom and Peter Gzowski would roll over in their graves "at the sight of such a monstrous eyesore".
"The muted yellow and black facade on Trent University's new Peter Gzowski College clash badly with the harmony of Ron Thom's design of the original campus buildings, says retired architect Walter Noble" (source: caption under photograph accompanying article). Continue reading
"The muted yellow and black facade on Trent University's new Peter Gzowski College clash badly with the harmony of Ron Thom's design of the original campus buildings, says retired architect Walter Noble" (source: caption under photograph accompanying article). Continue reading
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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Problems, problems and more problems with the east bank building project. Will it ever end? Now we're told that the ceremony celebrating the opening of Trent University's new Chemical Sciences Building scheduled Wednesday March 10, 2004 has been postponed due to design and performance standards still not up to par.
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Mike 
Johnston uses his alma mater, Peterborough's Trent University, as a case study as he follows the money trail from government to university to student - combining a self-deprecating tone with an acidic irony reminiscent of Michael Moore. In the film he tells us that if Bonnie Patterson can run a university with no experience then he can make a film with no experience.
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Johnston uses his alma mater, Peterborough's Trent University, as a case study as he follows the money trail from government to university to student - combining a self-deprecating tone with an acidic irony reminiscent of Michael Moore. In the film he tells us that if Bonnie Patterson can run a university with no experience then he can make a film with no experience.
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Concerned about the historical litigious nature of Trent University, two alumni film makers receive $1,000 from OPSEU executive towards liability insurance for public screening of film critical of Trent.
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Trent 
alumni James Motluk and Mark Wright (Guerilla Films Inc) have produced the film "Whose University Is It?" Using Trent as an example, this documentary poses that very question as it examines how the values of the free market are destroying our universities. Once a place of ideas they are now becoming businesses where visionaries are being replaced by administrators and students are being reduced to lowly consumers.
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alumni James Motluk and Mark Wright (Guerilla Films Inc) have produced the film "Whose University Is It?" Using Trent as an example, this documentary poses that very question as it examines how the values of the free market are destroying our universities. Once a place of ideas they are now becoming businesses where visionaries are being replaced by administrators and students are being reduced to lowly consumers.
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