Position Profile VICE-PRESIDENT (ACADEMIC) AND PROVOST TRENT UNIVERSITY The University Trent is one of Canada's youngest universities, with an established reputation for academic excellence. The university consistently ranks as Ontario's best, and among Canada's top, primarily undergraduate universities, with respected hallmark interdisciplinary programs in environmental sciences, Native studies and Canadian studies. Trent pays prominent attention to the individual learning experience of undergraduate students. Now in its thirty-ninth teaching year, the University has 6000 full time and part time undergraduates and 220 graduate students. The Trent International Program recruits students from around the world and assists domestic students with international exchange opportunities. Many undergraduate departments offer study abroad programs and Trent runs full and part time undergraduate programs in Oshawa at Durham College. Trent's enrolment is on a growth trajectory that will stabilize in the middle of the current decade. The University currently has 245 full-time and 105 part-time faculty, with plans to grow complement by 18% in the next four years. There are 450 full- and part-time staff. The 2002-2003 operating budget is $48 million, and 52% of operating revenue comes from tuition. Funding of research at Trent amounts to $7.2 million, while endowment funds total $19.5 million. 2002-03 marks the second of a three-year rolling fundraising program with a target of $6.4 million. This follows on the heels of a successful capital campaign that raised $17.2 million between 1999 and 2001. Trent has received more than $26 million to date from the Ontario Government's SuperBuild program and is moving forward with a $43 million capital development program to meet space demands of projected growth. Trent's main 580-hectare campus in north Peterborough features architectural award winning buildings and a natural riverside setting. A distinguishing feature of the University is its college system: whether students live in residence or off-campus, the colleges are focal points of social, cultural and intellectual activity. Four of the colleges are located on the main campus, with a fifth under construction, and one is currently housed in a residential area of Peterborough. Trent's Mission Trent University aspires to be Canada's outstanding small university known for its commitment to liberal undergraduate education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences and to the centrality of the individual student. Within a collegial setting the University offers undergraduate and graduate programs, both traditional and inter-disciplinary, which seek to advance learning through the creative interaction of teaching and research of the highest quality. Trent's Statement of Goals 1.To create a teaching, learning, research and living environment fundamentally committed to the promotion of free inquiry and expression. 2.To offer a distinctive, excellent and continually evolving teaching program that responds to the needs of an increasingly diverse full and part-time student body. 3.To provide educational programs which encourage students to think critically, creatively, constructively and to communicate their ideas effectively, as well as instilling a curiosity that engenders lifelong learning. 4.To sustain and enhance opportunities for research and scholarly activity of the highest standard. 5.To recognize and take advantage of our relatively small size, flexibility and experience to foster continually opportunities for creative interaction between academic departments and programs, teaching and research, colleges and academic activities and among our faculty, staff and students. 6.To develop, in the pursuit of the advancement of learning, mutually beneficial partnerships and linkages with universities, colleges, schools and other public and private sector institutions and organizations, including our alumni. 7.To encourage intellectual and cultural sensibility, adaptability, leadership, mutual respect, an ethical conscience, global (or international) perspectives and environmental sensitivity among all members of the Trent community. Trent's Institutional Objectives 1.Recruit and retain students from within and beyond Canada who will benefit from Trent's programs and who will contribute to University life. 2.Provide an appropriate range and sequence of undergraduate courses and programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and interdisciplinary fields to ensure a truly liberal education rooted in a strong institutional commitment to undergraduate teaching. 3.Develop new opportunities for small group teaching and individualized learning. 4.Create and sustain a range of interdisciplinary graduate programs that will reinforce the goal of liberal education, have linkages with our undergraduate departments and programs and provide all faculty with graduate teaching and research opportunities. 5.Employ and retain excellent faculty who contribute actively to the advancement of learning through teaching, research, service and professional development. 6.Employ and retain excellent academic and administrative support staff and ensure adequate opportunities for their professional development. 7.Create and sustain an environment (intellectual, physical, fiscal and social) that advances learning through quality teaching and research while encouraging respect, tolerance and sensitivity. Academic Programs In the 2001 Maclean's Ranking, Trent University ranked first overall among primarily undergraduate universities in central Canada and third among undergraduate universities nationally. The university continues to excel in the areas of class size, award-winning faculty and scholarships and bursaries. Surveys show that 92% of Trent graduates are employed within six months of completing their degree and 96% after two years. Over 80% of classes at Trent have fewer than 25 students. Trent offers undergraduate programs through the following departments/programs: Ancient History and Classics Anthropology Biology Business Administration Canadian Studies Chemistry Computer Science Cultural Studies Economics Education English Literature Environmental Resource Science/Studies Geography History International Development Studies Mathematics Modern Languages Native Management and Economic Development Native Studies Philosophy Physics Political Studies Psychology Nursing Sociology Women's Studies Graduate programs at Trent are interdisciplinary and focus on areas of research strength. In most cases they are not associated with undergraduate departments. Trent offers: Anthropology M.A. Applications of Modelling in the Natural & Social Sciences M.A. or M.Sc. Canadian Studies Ph.D. Canadian Studies & Native Studies M.A. Methodologies for the Study of Western History and Culture M.A. Native Studies Ph.D. Watershed Ecosystems M.Sc. and Ph.D. and supervision by Trent faculty of graduate students working toward degrees from Queen's University in Kingston Research The University outperforms every other university of its size across Canada in attracting external research funding, which has more than doubled in the last four years, is in excess of $7 million and is growing steadily. Trent has close links in research and job training with industries, community-based organizations, government agencies and sister educational institutions both in the region and beyond. The average science faculty member brings in $32,000 annually in peer-adjudicated federal research grants. In the humanities and social sciences the average is $2,200 reflecting traditionally lower SSHRC grants and increasing competition for limited SSHRC funds. The University has been allocated up to eight CRC's (three Tier 1 and five Tier 2) in support of eight research clusters: archaeological studies; Canadian studies; cultural studies; environmental and natural resource studies; health studies; international studies; native studies and quantitative modeling studies. Five of the CRC nominees have been approved to date. Trent University is home to the following research centres and institutes: The Archaeological Research Centre The Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre The Centre for the Study of Theory, Culture and Politics The Environmental Policy Institute The Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Native Studies The Institute for Health Studies The Institute for Mass Spectrometry The Institute for Materials Research The International Political Economy Centre The James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre The Trent International Political Economy Centre The Water Quality Centre The Watershed Science Centre The Position The Vice-President (Academic) and Provost is charged with achieving excellence in Trent's teaching and research programs. The portfolio is intentionally broad and encompasses responsibility for: academic program development (undergraduate and graduate); research; faculty employment policies and professional development; library, computing and telecommunications services; academic support functions; student recruitment, records and enrolment management; the colleges and student services; international recruitment and programs; and, Trent's joint programs with Queen's University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Sir Sandford Fleming and Durham Colleges and the Ministry of Natural Resources. With respect to all of these the Vice-President (Academic) is accountable for quality assurance, financially sound operations and innovation. The position carries many ex officio connections to the governing bodies and senior University committees along with membership in the Ontario Council of Academic Vice-Presidents. As the main advisor to the President on academic matters the incumbent will be expected to deputize for the President. Direct reports to the Vice-President and Provost are: Dean (Arts & Science) Dean (Research & Graduate Studies) University Librarian/ Director of Information Services Registrar Director, International Program Heads of Colleges Senior Director Student Affairs and Community Partnerships Mandate, 2003-2008 The Vice-President (Academic) will be expected to drive four special priorities during the period 2003-2008: 1.Strategic Academic Planning. A University-wide planning exercise will come to fruition in 2002-03. Chairing Senate's standing committee on academic planning, and working in conjunction with the Vice-Presidents (Administration) and (Advancement), the incumbent will develop and propose new strategies, financial and enrolment management plans and annual budgets to bring about strategic change. 2.The Next Research Agenda. Trent has a disproportionately successful research enterprise. Opportunities for leveraging and partnership development abound, and the incumbent will be expected to map out a strategy and begin moving research at Trent into its next developmental phase. 3.High Quality Programs. The incumbent will encourage innovation in undergraduate instruction and nurturing of graduate programs consistent with the University's mission. 4.Reputation. The Vice-President (Academic) will play an active role in improving Trent's academic reputation and promoting the University's teaching and research excellence. Candidate Qualifications The Search Committee is seeking an individual who possesses the academic credentials – including teaching, research and scholarship – sufficient to command respect within the academic community and to discharge the responsibilities of the position. The following qualifications, experience and personal attributes are seen to be desirable: a proven record of successful leadership in academic planning and implementation; experience in developing successful research partnerships with private and public sector participants; a track record of excellent team building and team leadership skills; the strength of personality to deliver academic leadership and bring about change with all the consulting, listening, planning, persuading, explaining and implementing skills required; proven administrative skills, with a track record of experience gained in a university administrative post including a thorough understanding of management practices; experience working under financial constraints; a demonstrated appreciation of the value of Trent's undergraduate emphasis and the challenges it creates; a genuine interest in students, including a commitment to the centrality of the individual student, and a willingness to become personally and visibly involved in all aspects of campus life; an appreciation of the use and impact of new technologies in education, and an ability to integrate these changes with Trent's traditions; strong communication skills (listening, speaking, writing) and the ability to interact successfully with multiple constituent groups and stakeholders; the ability to articulate and promote Trent's excellence in liberal arts and sciences to the internal and external communities – including the media; the courage to make difficult decisions, with the ability to explain them to those affected, and to implement them fairly, humanely and promptly; energy, stamina and a willingness to accommodate the personal demands of the position. The Location Peterborough, a city of 67,000, is located ninety minutes from Toronto and three hours from Ottawa, in the heart of the beautiful Kawartha Lakes tourist region. The city has retained much of its architectural heritage and small-city charm. Trent is a significant regional resource, one of the largest employers, and contributes $126 million annually to the regional economy. The Opportunity This is an exciting opportunity to assume a leadership role in an outstanding Canadian university. The new Vice-President (Academic) is expected to take office July 1, 2003 for a renewable term of five years. Interested candidates should send a covering letter and complete curriculum vitae in confidence to: Landmark Consulting Group, 25 Main Street West Suite 2225, Hamilton, ON L8P 1H1 or to: resumes@landmarkconsulting.org.