Jan. 8, 2000
Dear Minister Stewart,
I urge you to take action to ensure the survival of Trent University's Downtown Colleges.
Upon completing highschool in 1980, I was accepted by all of the universities to which I had applied, including University of Toronto, Queen's and Dalhousie. I have always felt grateful that I chose Trent. There is no way that any of these larger institutions could even approach the degree of individual attention Trent provided. This individual attention had a profound and lasting effect on my development as a critical thinker and as a member of society. It inspired me to become a teacher and equipped me to teach in culturally diverse communities. It also equipped me to be a "lifelong learner"; while pursuing a Master's degree in English some years after my undergrad., I found that Trent's Cultural Studies program had supplied me with a theoretical background and presentation skills that enabled me to sail through a very demanding series of courses.
I am NOT convinced that Trent can provide its infamous opportunities for intellectual and creative growth without the Downtown Colleges. If there is one thing a developing scholar of the Humanities fears, it is to melt unrecognizably into the homogeneous blob that is "the student body". As trite as it may sound, the development of identity is, I think, an integral part of the university experience. I remember poring over university calendars in search of courses that reflected my interests and my particular way of seeing the world. Some of those courses were provided on the main campus, but many, namely Cultural Studies and English courses, were taught at Peter Robinson College downtown. As I progressed in my studies, I came to feel that my way of seeing had been academically validated. The courses were also very challenging and I became increasingly proud of my identification.
Financial profit would not be a valid excuse for placing at risk Trent's status as a unique alternative to the monster-university; the fact that there isn't even any economic justification for eradicating the Downtow n Colleges makes the plan look downright sinister. The economic rationale for doing away with the Downtown Colleges doesn't seem to hold water. Apparently, the profits from selling these colleges will not finance replacement space on the centralized campus, and once built, this space will cost more to maintain.
Finally, the process through which the proposal to eradicate the Downtown Colleges was approved was blatantly undemocratic. At the very least, there must be a meeting of the Alumni Association to discuss the Trent S uperbuild application.
Sincerely,
Susan Sheard
(Peter Robinson College: English/Cultural Studies, 1981-1984)
Received January 8th, 2000