TCSA CUPE 3908 Labour Disruptions

To the members of the TCSA:

As of Monday, March 2nd at 12:01 am, CUPE 3908 Unit 1 will be in a legal strike/lockout position if bargaining does not reach an agreement between the Union and Trent University. 

CUPE 3908 Unit 1 represents all contract faculty at Trent University. A strike position will result in some courses not being continued to be taught and a number of assignments and exams not being graded. Find information about CUPE 3908’s demands at the link: http://cupe3908.org/.

The TCSA stands in solidarity with CUPE 3908, and we call on Trent University to provide contract faculty with fair and non-precarious working conditions. Stay tuned for information on how to support CUPE 3908 and further solidarity work. For updates, please visit https://www.trentu.ca/cupeupdate/. 

With a potential strike position, there will be several TCSA services that will face disruptions. The following services will be interrupted or delayed:

Transit

Transit will not cross picket lines if a strike takes place. All buses that come to Trent University will only be able to drop off students near the main entrance. Please plan accordingly when travelling to and from campus. Follow the TCSA on Facebook and Twitter (@theTCSA), as well as Peterborough Transit on Twitter (@ptbo_transit) to receive updates on any updates to transit.

Direct2U

Direct2U prescriptions will also face disruptions in the event of a strike, as FedEx drivers will not cross picket lines. We recommend planning ahead and getting your prescriptions directed to another pharmacy or location for pick-up. Students can get their Direct2U prescriptions transferred to an alternate location by calling Alliance Pharmacy at 1 (877) 796-7979. We will provide updates about our Direct2U service as we receive them. 

TCSA Elections will continue according to the current timeline. Other TCSA services within our office will continue to run during our regular office hours of Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 6:30pm, and we will continue to provide updates via social media and our website, trentcentral.ca.

We recognize these disruptions are not ideal, and the TCSA is committed to supporting students as the situation progresses. If you have any questions, feel free to call our office at (705) 748-1000 or email info@trentcentral.ca or president@trentcentral.ca. 

In Solidarity,
Ann-Majella McKelvie
TCSA President

TCSA Spring Elections: Nominations OPEN

Each year, the TCSA holds general elections in February/March to fill all Executive and Board of Director positions. We encourage all students who are interested in getting involved on campus tp run for a position.

The nomination period for the 2020-2021 TCSA elections officially opens at 9:00am on Monday, February 24, 2020. All elections documents and dates can be found by clicking here or clicking on the “Get Involved” tab at the top of the page. Nomination packages can also be picked up in the TCSA office on the second floor of the Student Centre.

Completed nomination packages are to be submitted to the TCSA office by 12:00pm on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Questions about any of the positions or the elections process can be directed to TCSA Chief Electoral Officer, Matthew Seaby, or Deputy Electoral Officer, William Stuart, at tcsaelections@trentu.ca

Message from the TCSA for Students with Dependents Affected by Elementary School Board Labour Disruptions

Elementary Parents and Guardians:

Over the last several weeks, as a result of central labour agreements not being reached between the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and the Ministry, there have been disruptions of service by elementary teachers across Ontario. As a result, there have been expressed difficulties by Trent students with dependents in finding child care and support for days with disruptions.

The TCSA acknowledges the significant barriers and difficulties Trent students may face in finding resources for their dependents and are working with agencies on and off-campus to help address concerns. Please contact President Ann-Majella McKelvie at president@trentcentral.ca if you are experiencing difficulties on days with disruptions and are seeking support.

TCSA Student Award of Excellence: Nominations Open

Nominations are OPEN for the TCSA Student Award of Excellence. Each year, the TCSA recognizes students who have excelled in academics, athletics, arts, and community leadership. We invite you to nominate a fellow student who you feel is a leader in both the Trent and Peterborough communities who demonstrates outstanding dedication and effort in various fields, including, but not limited to: academics, social, politics, arts, volunteerism, and athletics.

Deadline for nominations is February 29. Nominations can be made by clicking here.

Successful recipients will be chosen by a selections committee and notified in early March.

We're Hiring a Full-Time Community Coordinator

The TCSA is hiring for a brand new full-time position, Community Coordinator. The Community Coordinator is relied upon to coordinate the Association’s Vendor Program by building and maintaining positive relationships with vendors through sponsorship opportunities and events. This position is also responsible for ensuring that the services the Association provides to recognized Trent University Clubs and Groups are effectively coordinated.

For a full job description and instructions on how to apply for this position, click here. The deadline to apply for this position is Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 4pm.

Due to the volume of applications only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

TCSA Winter Semi-Annual General Meeting: Agenda and Materials Posted

The TCSA winter semi-annual general meeting will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 12pm to 2pm in the Student Centre Active Learning Classroom (2.02). We invite all students to attend to learn about what our Directors have been working on, how student money is being used, and what changes we are making to our by-laws and policies.

Meeting agenda and relevant documents have been posted to our website and can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here.

Bring your student card to vote on changes that will affect how your student union operates.

Pizza and refreshments will be served.

Winter Clubs & Groups Day: Registration Open

The TCSA holds Clubs & Groups Day once per semester, during which student clubs and groups at Trent can set up a display booth and interact with students in high traffic areas.

This is a popular event and a great opportunity for all Trent students to see the wide variety of clubs and groups and activities available on campus. Join a club, or choose a few!

Winter Clubs and Groups Day will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 10am to 4pm in the Student Centre. Interested clubs and groups can register to reserve a spot by clicking here.

Questions about Clubs & Groups Day or registering a new club or group? Email vpclubs@trentcentral.ca.

Updates to Trent Express, Effective January 4, 2020

The TCSA is happy to announce that we have updated the Trent Express West Bank and East Bank transit services in order to bring you more frequent service. These changes will begin January 4, 2020 and are reflected in the new printed schedule, which can be picked up in the TCSA office, as well as the digital schedule, which can be viewed and downloaded at our website: trentcentral.ca/transit. 

The updates to service are as follows:

  • Weekday (Monday to Friday) West Bank and East Bank service has been increased to operate every 20 minutes after 10pm, rather than every 40 minutes.

  • The Reading Week and Holiday schedule has been increased to operate every 40 minutes, rather than every 1 hour and 20 minutes.

In addition, we would like to report that:

  • The re-routing of the West Bank to enter campus from Woodland Drive between 7:40am and 9:40am has proven to be highly effective in eliminating the traffic congestion at main campus gates and ensuring buses stay on schedule. We will continue with this route Monday to Friday mornings during peak traffic hours.

  • We are working with Peterborough Transit, the City of Peterborough, and Selwyn Township to implement a transit route that will service Lakefield, Bridgenorth, Ennismore, and Curve Lake via Trent University. There will be pop-up information sessions in the Student Centre in January 2020, as well as opportunities for students to answer surveys to determine transit needs in these areas.

Any questions regarding transit can be emailed to bus@trentcentral.ca. Thank you to the students who continue to support us so that we can bring you important services. It’s here because we’re here, and we’re here because you care.

Student Centre Hours: Exam Period

Starting Monday, December 2, the Student Centre will be extending building hours to remain open from 8am until 1am, 7 days a week, until the last day of exams.

Bata Library will also be open from 8am to 1am, 7 days a week for study space. Library Help Desk hours will be 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week.

Please use caution when travelling to and from campus late at night. Trent Walkhome is available to accompany students and faculty within a 25-minute walk from Symons campus, Traill, and the Annex residences. Call (705) 748-1748 or Text (705) 931-0032 between 7pm and 1am (Monday to Friday) and 9pm and 1pm (Saturday and Sunday).

The Trent Express Late Night buses will continue to operate through the entire exam period. For transit schedules and extra exam buses, click here.

Transit: Extra Exam Buses

The TCSA and Peterborough Transit are happy to announce that there will be extra Trent Express West Bank and East bank buses during the exam period this semester. The schedule of extra buses for both the West Bank and East Bank can be viewed by clicking here.

Please note that these buses are in addition to the existing Trent Express transit schedule, which will operate as usual through the exam period. This includes the Trent Express Weekday, Weekend, and Late Night schedules.

Questions or feedback about transit? Email or text bus@trentcentral.ca

TCSA Fall By-Elections 2019: Results

The results of the 2019 Fall By-Elections have been posted to our website and can be viewed by clicking here. The results will be officially ratified at the Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday, October 6, 2019.

We would like thank all student candidates for participating in this election, as well as all students who voted. If you have any questions about TCSA elections or the elections process, please email tcsaelections@trentu.ca

We invite all students to attend TCSA Board of Directors meetings, which occur every other Sunday in the Student Centre 2.02. Meetings are open to all students, and they are a great opportunity to see how your student union operates and to meet fellow student leaders.

TCSA Fall By-Elections: Voting Open

Online voting has opened for the TCSA fall by-elections. All students should have received a confidential ballot in their Trent email accounts. Please take a few moments to submit your vote for the TCSA Board of Directors positions on the ballot. Candidate platforms can be found by clicking here.

Voting will close at 4:00pm on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Please email tcsaelections@trentu.ca if you did not receive a ballot or if you have any questions about elections or the elections process.