Artist Announced for Orange Shirt Campaign

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we would like to take a moment to announce Sabrina from @miskominmanidoomin as our artist for our Orange Shirt Campaign this fall!

Sabrina Fontaine is an Ojibwe beadwork artist, illustrator, and activist from Garden River Reservations and currently resides on Askunessippi (Antler River) in London, Ontario, but loves visiting us this way to canoe on the Odoonabii-ziibi in Nogojiwanong.

Sabrina owns and operates Miskomin Manidoomin, a small beadwork and art shop. Her work focuses on celebrating the natural world, blending traditional practices with modern art styles, and shining light on generational, systemic injustices faces by many Indigenous peoples.

Trent students and community members will be able to submit drawings and artwork to be transformed into prints, stickers, and patches for solidarity as part of our Orange Shirt campaign. All proceeds from product sales will be donated to local Indigenous organizations at the discretion of the Elders Council.

TCSA Meets with Trent University PVP

Today the TCSA met with the PVP (Presidents and Vice Presidents) team to discuss important topics that impact students. Today we covered the topics of enrollment, enhancing campus diversity and safety, food insecurity, and standardized hybrid learning.

Meeting highlights:
• One more full-time academic advisor was hired (7 total).
• Trent International has hired a global engagement team who will focus on immigration support, programming and wellness (6 staff total).
• There are plans to hire another virtual counsellor this year through government grants.
• Both Stephanie Williams and Glennice Burns committed to having further conversations about comprehensive and anti-oppressive training for security guards.
• Julie Davis has committed to further conversations about tackling food insecurity on campus.
• Leo Groarke and Tariq Al-Idrissi have committed to further conversations about improving campus transit and building a bus terminal.
• The university has equipped 10 more classrooms to support hybrid learning that will be completed by the end of summer. This brings the campus total to 22 hybridized classroom spaces.

Pictured: Zoe Litow (TCSA President), Amiée Anctil (VP Campaigns & Equity), Shay Surujnarain (VP University & College Affairs), and Holly Naraine (VP Student Health & Wellness), Leo Groarke (President), Michael Khan (Provost and VP Academic), Julie Davis (VP External Relations & Advancement), Tariq Al-Idrissi (VP Finance & Administration), Cathy Bruce (VP Research & Innovation), Marilyn Burns (VP Communications & Enrollment), Stephanie Williams (VP Human Resources), Glennice Burns (AVP International), Nona Robinson (AVP Student Affairs).

TCSA Clubs & Groups Registration and Funding Now Open

Thinking of starting a new club? Looking to renew your club’s registration? TCSA clubs and groups registration and funding applications are open for Summer 2022.

Get a head start on your club or group’s registration by filling out the registration forms on our website. Applications for TCSA club funding are also open.

Questions about the club registration process? Email Ashley DeBeyer at community@trentcentral.ca.

TCSA launches "Roll to the Poll" Program for Provincial Election

The TCSA will be providing reimbursements for Trent students who are using public transportation or ride-sharing services to get to the election polls during the Ontario Election voting cycle. This includes both advanced polls and day-of voting.

Students are required to fill out this form and upload their receipt(s). Students should expect to receive a reimbursement within a week pending approval by the Finance Committee. Submissions for reimbursement will be available until Monday June, 6th 2022.

Students can find their respective voting poll at the following link: https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/election/4-general-election-jun-2-2022/86-peterborough-kawartha?tab=electionDayInPerson

The TCSA is Hiring!

The TCSA is hiring!

We have one full-time position opening for our Association Resource Manager.

The Association Resource Manager is responsible for the effective governance of the Association as well as the management of its human resources. This position is responsible for applying regulations found in Association Policy Book, facilitating consistent and transparent elections processes, and ensuring clear organization and support for the Board of Directors and its committees.

The full job position and application details can be found on our website at trentcentral.ca/job-postings

The TCSA is Hiring!

We are hiring for the part-time positions of Front Desk Receptionist for the 2022-2023 academic year. The Association's Front Desk Receptionists are a team of front-line staff who ensure a quality customer service experience for all. While overseeing point-of-sale transactions and completing assigned secondary responsibilities they are relied upon to resolve simple concerns while directing more complex questions to the appropriate staff person. These positions require an 8-10 hour per week commitment.

To view the full job description, along with application instructions, click here. The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on Friday, April 8th, 2022.

TCSA Elections: Time to Vote!

You’e read the platforms, watched the candidate and referendum interviews, and attended the Meet the Candidates event. The time has now come to vote!

All undergraduate students who have paid our membership fee will have received their official TCSA elections ballot in their Trent student email. Locate the email from tcsaelections@trentu.ca titled “TCSA Spring Elections Ballot” and cast your vote.

If you would like a refresher on the candidates and referendum questions, click here or watch our interviews on our Instagram profile.

Voting closes at 4pm on Thursday, March 17th, 2022.

After voting, you can enter your email to win 1 of 2 $250 prepaid Visa cards.

All votes are cast confidentially.

Please email tcsaelections@trentu.ca if you did not receive a ballot.

TCSA Office Hours: Reading Week

Please note that the TCSA office will be closed on Monday, February 21st, 2022 for the Family Day statutory holiday.

We will be open during Reading Week from Tuesday, February 22nd to Friday, February 25th at the reduced office hours of 9:30am to 5:30pm for all our regular services.

We can also be reached by phone at (705) 748-1000 or by email at info@trentcentral.ca.

TCSA Student Award of Excellence Nominations Now Open

The TCSA Student Award of Excellence recognizes and is awarded annually to three exemplary undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and effort within the Trent University and Peterborough communities in the fields of politics, academics, social justice, arts, volunteerism, athletics, and research.

These students shall be nominated by their peers and then selected by a volunteer selections committee. Nominations close on Saturday, March 5th at 11:59pm and the awardees will be announced during the week of March 14th. Click here to nominate someone who should be recognized with this award.

TCSA General Elections: Candidate Registration Open!

The TCSA holds general elections each February/March to elect our Board of Directors and Executive Team. Our elections are open to all undergraduate students, and we encourage everyone to run for a position as it is a great opportunity to get involved with your student union, meet fellow student leaders, advocate for change on campus, and gain leadership experience.

Candidate registrations open on Tuesday, February 1st for the month of February. A full list of positions and position descriptions, as well as all our candidate registration package, can be found here.

Additionally, we will be hosting weekly information sessions on Zoom for any students who may have questions about our elections. These information sessions will be held twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursday, from 1:00pm EST to 2:00PM EST. Register for one of our information sessions here.

Any elections-related questions can be directed to Matthew Seaby, Chief Electoral Officer, at tcsaelections@trentu.ca.

Transit: Routes 11/11A Resuming Full Service Staring Monday, January 31st

Please note that with the University’s decision to return to in-person learning as of Monday, January 31st, 2022, transit routes #11 and #11A will also return to operating at full service.

Routes #11 and #11A are Trent-specific routes that operate on weekdays only.

Route 11 is direct service between Trent U - Bata Library and the downtown terminal. Southbound travels along Water Street, George Street and Simcoe Street to the terminal. Northbound service travels north on Aylmer Street, east on McDonnel Street and north on Water Street.

Route 11A is direct service between Trent U - Bata Library and Traill College. Southbound travels along Water Street, George Street, McDonnel Street and Reid Street to Traill College. Northbound travels via Reid Street, Parkhill Road West and Water Street to Trent University.

Click here to visit the Peterborough Transit website to view full schedules and route maps for routes #11 and #11A, as well as all other Peterborough transit routes.

TCSA's Covid-19 Response to Resuming In-Person Learning

To the Membership,

In response to student concerns regarding the planned return to in-person classes, the TCSA wishes to express its ongoing commitment to advocate on your behalf to Trent University administration. The feedback we have received, and an overall desire to preserve the health and safety of our members, has directly contributed to the policy recommendations we are bringing forward to the University prior to its return to in-person learning. We have published a full report outlining our recommendations here.

This report is also being sent to the President and Vice Presidents of the University. At this time the Association does not support a return to in-person learning on January 31st. Despite this, it is likely that the University will resume in-person classes next week. The TCSA continues to advocate for better student representation within health and safety processes that govern the decisions of the University through COVID-19. We have also called on the University to provide virtual accessibility for all courses to support the safety of immunocompromised individuals, those living with immunocompromised folks, those who have medical exemptions from receiving the vaccine, or those who are otherwise uncomfortable returning to in-person classes. Virtually accessible courses are an essential service that the University has not yet been able to guarantee its students. Finally, we advocate for maintaining contact tracing for those who come on campus, and clearer information regarding updates regarding booster dose requirements for those on campus.

While we navigate this transition, we also call on professors to do everything in their power to make their courses accessible for students virtually and make reasonable accommodations for students who may have to self-isolate. The TCSA recognizes that many professors are also struggling during this time, and that students appreciate their dedicated efforts to make our educational experience a safe and accessible one. Students who are having difficulty with obtaining necessary accommodations are able to contact the TCSA or email studentaffairs@trentu.ca for further assistance.

If you have any questions or concerns with our recommendations to the University please contact vphealth@trentcentral.ca or president@trentcentral.ca. If you wish to express your concerns about the support offered to students as we return to in-person learning please get in touch with University administration directly by contacting leogroarke@trentu.ca, michaelkhan@trentu.ca, and stwilliams@trentu.ca.

We are here for you,

Carter Tongs (he/him)
Vice President Student Health and Wellness
Trent Central Student Association

TCSA Club Registration & Funding Now Open!

Are you thinking of starting a new student club or group? Or perhaps renewing student club or group from the previous year(s)? Student clubs and groups are an excellent opportunity to get involved on campus, meet like-minded people, learn new skills and hobbies, gain leadership experience, add to your resume and co-curricular record, enrich your university experience, and much more.

Why register your club with the TCSA? Clubs that register with us have access to room/space bookings, promotional reach through the TCSA’s social media channels, a mailbox in the TCSA office, use of various craft/event materials from the TCSA, club funding, and more.

Club registration and club funding applications for the Winter 2022 semester are now open. More information and the application forms can be found here.

Questions? Contact Ashley DeBeyer, TCSA Community Coordinator, at community@trentcentral.ca.

TCSA Semi-Annual General Meeting Announcement

The TCSA holds a semi-annual general meeting once per semester. The Winter 2022 Semi-Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 4:00pm EST on Zoom.

These meetings are open to everyone to attend. The agenda and all meeting materials can be viewed/downloaded by clicking here. Students in attendance will be able to view and vote on the TCSA budget, and vote on proposed by-law and policy amendments.

All attendees will be entered into our raffle prize draw for a chance to win 1 of 3 $100 prepaid Visa cards.

Click here to register for the TCSA SAGM.

Transit: Routes 11/11A Reduced During Online Learning

Please be advised of the following Peterborough Transit service update as Trent moves to virtual learning for the first month of the January 2022 semester.

Following the University’s announcement of a full remote learning plan from January 10th to January 30th, 2022, there will be a decrease in service on routes 11 and 11A, from Bata Library to the downtown terminal and Bata Library to Traill College, respectively. All other Peterborough Transit routes will continue to operate at regular service.

Starting on Monday, January 10th, 2022, routes 11 and 11A will operate hourly service from Trent to the downtown terminal and hourly service from Trent to Traill College. This plan will operate on weekdays up to, and including, Friday, January 28th, 2022 (tentative end date). Click here to view the reduced schedule.

If there are any questions about Transit, please reach out to bus@trentcentral.ca. Visit the Peterborough Transit website for information and for service updates.

Transit Update: Extra Sunday Buses During Exams

We've heard your feedback and we've spoken to Peterborough Transit. Please see the update below regarding the addition of buses during Sundays of the upcoming exam period. If you have any questions, please email bus@trentcentral.ca.

If taking transit to your exam, please check the existing transit schedule. We encourage you to take trips arriving at Trent at least 20 mins prior to the exam start time. Taking earlier trips are recommended as passenger volumes will be unpredictable.

The Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday services will operate as currently scheduled with some extras on Route 6 (Sherbrooke) as needed, travelling from Fleming to the downtown terminal to campus.

On Sunday, December 12th, and Sunday, December 19th between 2010 hours and 2310 hours, Peterborough Transit will operate 30 mins Route 6B trips from Trent to the terminal with Route 6C connections from the terminal back to Trent via Armour Rd. The last Sunday trip will continue to depart from Trent at 2410 hours.