A joint statement from Trent University, Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) and Trent Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA)

A joint statement from Trent University, Trent Central Student Association, Trent Durham Student Association and Trent Graduate Students’ Association

Trent University and its student associations, the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) and Trent Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA), have been reviewing the recent changes to the Government of Canada’s policies regarding the issuing of study permits and subsequent updates from the federal and provincial government related to study permits for international students. 

Together, our goal is to evaluate what these changes may mean for Trent students and applicants, to advocate, and to keep Trent students – as well as international students interested in studying at Trent – informed. 

We are pleased to share that our current international undergraduate and graduate students as well as future graduate students in Masters and Ph.D. programs are not affected by this new requirement. 

For international students interested in studying at Trent in an undergraduate degree or postgraduate certificate program, here are a few things you need to know:

  1. If you have been admitted to Trent and submitted your study permit application to IRCC before January 22, 2024, or if you have already been approved for a study permit and intend to travel to Canada for an upcoming program, you can come to Canada and begin your studies as planned.

  2. If you have applied for a study permit on or after January 22, 2024, you are required to upload an attestation letter from the Province of Ontario, with your study permit application to IRCC. The Government of Ontario has asked the Ontario Universities Application Centre to implement a process for these letters by March 31, 2024. You do not need to take any action at this time and will receive your letter as soon as they are issued. 

  3. Again, if you will be studying at the Master’s or Ph.D. level, there is no change to the study permit application process. Applications to Master’s and Ph.D. programs at Trent are being processed as usual (and there’s still time to apply to many programs) and study permits are being processed and issued without a provincial attestation letter.

Trent University believes in internationalization and we have approached this through responsible, sustainable growth of international enrolment from students the world over. When international students come to Trent, they are taught by Trent University faculty and receive wrap-around supports, from academic advising and mental health services to assistance with off-campus housing. No Trent degree, program or certificate operates through a public-private partnership.

Trent, the TCSA, TDSA and TGSA support the position taken by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) as we advocate for the international students who have expressed an interest in Trent, our high quality programs, vibrant campuses and communities.

For the university sector in Ontario, the international cap comes at a time when postsecondary institutions have faced enormous financial pressures due to declining operating grants and a cut and freeze to tuition. We welcome the $1.3 billion in provincial funding announced February 26 at the same time as we look forward to more discussions of ways in which the government can support Trent’s interest in international enrolment and provide long-term financial sustainability through multi-year funding as recommended by the Blue-Ribbon Panel.

The international students who come to Trent add so much to our campus environment, the academic experience in our classes and labs, and bring highly-skilled, worldly talent to our local economies and our communities as a whole. 

We thank our international applicants for your patience and understanding as we await further details. Please check for updates at trentu.ca/ircc and if you have immediate questions or concerns, you can always reach us at international@trentu.ca.

Notice of Resignation: Vice President Student Health & Wellness

To the membership: 

As of Monday, March 11th, 2024, Bri Policcichio has resigned from the position of Vice President Student Health & Wellness at the Trent Central Student Association.

If you have any questions pertaining to the Vice President Student Health & Wellness portfolio, please contact president@trentcentral.ca.

We wish Bri all the best in all her future endeavours.

A Letter to the Membership Re: Good Neighbours Care Centre

Earlier this week, the Good Neighbours Care Centre (Sherbrooke Food Bank) management informed the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) that those who access their services must present an OHIP card. This new requirement restricts the use of the food bank for international students and newcomers to Canada.

The TCSA opposes the decision to refuse service for international students by the Good Neighbours Care Centre. International students already face xenophobia, racism, and discrimination within the Peterborough job and housing markets, therefore leading to a greater risk of food insecurity. 

The choice to restrict community members' access depending on their citizenship limits access for more than just international students. It portrays a narrative that only Canadian Peterborough residents deserve access to food security. Access to food should be understood as a right, mainly by food banks. Regardless of where you come from, everyone deserves access to nourishment. International students face unique hardships, such as paying 3.5 times the tuition fees that domestic students do, on top of additional restrictions brought on by immigration instabilities. Simply put, this decision separates international students from the general Peterborough population, and the message sent to international students is that they are not a part of this community.

Barring international students from food banks is not just a matter of access to free food; it touches on equity, social justice, and well-being. We recommend exploring alternative measures that ensure the pantry remains accessible to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or possession of an OHIP card.

The TCSA is meeting with Trent International and Trent stakeholders to further discuss food security and food sovereignty for its membership. The TCSA calls on the Good Neighbours Care Centre to re-evaluate its newest policy to ensure the pantry remains accessible to all individuals, regardless of their immigration status or possession of an OHIP card.

Signed,

The TCSA Executive Team

New: One-Stop Chop Food Pantry Online Order & Contactless Pick-up Service

The TCSA is excited to launch a new online ordering and contactless pick-up service for our One-Stop Chop food pantry to help combat food insecurity.

Through this new service, Trent undergraduate students can place an order of various non-perishable food items, and then pick them up using the self-service lockers outside the TCSA office at your own privacy and convenience.

Item selection will include vegetarian and halal options.

Please note that online pick-up appointments will adhere to the same guidelines as regular food pantry appointments, and availability is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can book either one (1) in-person OR one (1) online appointment every two weeks.

Click here to access our appointment scheduling tool. Questions? Contact services@trentcentral.ca.

TCSA Student Award of Excellence: Nominations Open

Do you know someone who demonstrates outstanding leadership, dedication, and effort in the Trent and Peterborough Communities in the areas of academics, arts, athletics, extra-curriculars, volunteerism, and more?

The TCSA Student Award of Excellence is awarded annually to three Trent undergraduate students. Nominations are open until February 29th, 2024 at 11:59pm. To nominate a student, click here.

TCSA General Elections: Candidate Registration Opens February 1st, 2024

Are you passionate about student issues, student policies, student wellness, and the post-secondary experience? Become a student leader by running for a position with the Trent Central Student Association!

Enact change, speak up, and advocate for the betterment of the Trent experience and education for all students!

The TCSA general elections open on Thursday, February 1st, 2024, and we invite all interested students to run who are looking to get involved with the student union. Available positions include Commissioner positions on our Board of Directors, as well as Executive positions (President and Vice Presidents). Click here to read more about the TCSA Elections and about each position, as well as how to run.

Questions? Email tcsaelections@trentu.ca.

TCSA & Trent Food Services Launch New "Punch A Lunch" Program

The TCSA is excited to announce a new collaboration with Trent Food Services: "Punch a Lunch" meal cards launching on Monday, December 4th.

This new program will provide $150,000 in meal support for students yearly, and 800 students monthly. The TCSA has committed $70,000 towards this program, with Trent Food Services matching this amount for the program's first year of operation. This program provides students with $5 off any meal at an on-campus dining hall, including Traill College, and at The Seasoned Spoon. The cards can be redeemed five (5) times for a total of $25 off your meals. Simply hand your card to the cashier and a discount will be applied to your meal.

The TCSA will be distributing these cards through our existing One-Stop Chop food pantry appointments, through our Grocery Assistance Program, and at events that are focused on student health, wellness, and food security.

To make this program widely available to students, “Punch a Lunch: cards will be available at Trent International, FPHL, or your college office. Please check in with these offices to see how they will be distributing their cards.

Letter to the Membership Regarding Potential ATU 1320 Transit Strike

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

To the attention of membership;

The Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) would like to voice our support for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1320 bargaining efforts, and provide an update as it pertains to the possibility of an upcoming strike next week.

The Association has been in conversation with the Trent University Faculty Association as well as the University’s Senior Administration for what support or alternative accommodations will be available in light of the strike.

In dialogue with Trent University, the Association is awaiting response for what the University intends to do in support of students who will be impacted by the strike. As of today, we have not yet heard back from the university. We anticipate the University will provide notice of their plan this week.

The Association, in solidarity with the ATU 1320, will not be providing outside labour to best support the impacts of their strike.

Additionally, the TCSA Office will be closed for the duration of the strike. However, to best support students’ health needs, prescriptions will be available for pick up through the serlf-service locker system located outside of the TCSA Office.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the academic implications of the potential transit strike, please direct your inquiries to the Provost. Contact: michaelkhan@trentu.ca or (705) 748-1011 ext. 7695

Sincerely,

Trent Central Student Association

Email Campaign to Support the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1320

The Trent Central Student Association has been in dialogue with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1320 about their ongoing efforts to receive better working conditions and adequate wages. This is an email campaign for Trent University students to demonstrate support for the ATU 1320 in their bargaining with the City Council. We encourage Trent University students to take action in support of the ATU 1320 and send this letter template to their City Councillor by copying and pasting the following text. Email addresses of city councillors can be found following the email template.

To the Honourable Jeff Leal and City Council,

The Trent Central Student Association would like to voice our support for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 1320. We stand in solidarity with the ATU in their fight for increased wages and better working conditions.

We want to urge the City of Peterborough to approach bargaining with the ATU 1320 in good faith. Bus drivers deserve recognition for their dedication to the services they provide to the city, and your constituents deserve to know that their service is not being threatened.

The City Council must take initiative and put into proper consideration the impacts their decision making and inaction has on people’s everyday lives. Jobs, livelihoods, and the functioning of the city will be hindered should there not be adequate transportation services provided.

The students of Trent University have had enough. We’ve had enough of Transit’s instability due to the City’s mismanagement and inadequate leadership. We demand the City demonstrate organization, direction, and respect for the ATU 1320.

Sincerely,

The Trent Central Student Association

Email your City Councillors:

TCSA's New Contactless 24-hour Self-Service Lockers

The TCSA is excited to offer our newest service: contactless/after-hours pick-up through our new self-service lockers!

Located outside the TCSA office on the second floor of the Student Centre, our brand new locker services allow you to retrieve your prescriptions, mail, packages, merchandise orders, and more at your convenience, any day of the week, whether our office is open or closed.

Students who utilize our lockers for contactless pick-up will be sent a private code and QR code that will be used to retrieve your item. Picking up your item only takes a moment and is completely user-friendly. If you have any questions about the lockers or the pick-up process, please email us at info@trentcentral.ca.

Thank you to the Trent Colleges for their financial support of $10,000 towards this project.

TCSA, TDSA, & TGSA JOINT STATEMENT ON ISRAEL-GAZA CONFLICT

Today, we — the Trent Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA), the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA), and the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) — express our devastation to the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Amidst ongoing conflict within the region, we share in mourning the loss of life in both Palestine and Israel. We commiserate with civilians who have suffered personal losses and have been displaced by ongoing conflict.

As organizations of student advocacy, the TGSA, TDSA, and TCSA unequivocally condemn the use of war in place of diplomacy and denounce any act of terrorist violence perpetrated against innocent civilians. We join the international community in its repeated calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, along with the expeditious and absolute restoration of protections guaranteed to civilians, the wounded, and the sick or infirm, under international humanitarian law in times of war.

Our Executive Teams have remained intimately connected with key stakeholders within Trent University, including Trent International (TI), the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), and Campus Risk Management. Our individual student unions are working in concert to establish and maintain continuous inter-organization communication – including local representatives of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) – through which student support can be coordinated and escalated, as needed. We recognize that many individuals in our community have direct and indirect ties to the Middle East. As with any conflict, we understand that individuals within our respective memberships may hold strong and opposing views. In keeping with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we urge respectful dialogue.

Students in need of immediate support are asked to contact available counselling services. Graduate students specifically, have access to free, short-term mental health support through the Student Wellness Centre in Peterborough and Counselling Services in Durham. Additional options for students seeking counselling services include the I.M. Well app offered by Student VIP Benefits, Therapy Assistance Online, and a variety of other mental health resources. If you are experiencing a crisis during business hours, you are encouraged to contact crisis@trentu.ca, and in the event of an emergency, please contact Trent Security at 705-748-1011 ext. 1333, phone 911, or go to your nearest hospital. Should you require assistance or clarification with regards to contacting an academic department or administrative office, you may contact us at gsa@trentu.ca (Graduate Peterborough), info@trentcentral.ca (Undergraduate Peterborough), or admin@mytdsa.ca (Durham).

SIGNED,

The EXECUTIVES of the
TRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION and the
TRENT DURHAM STUDENT ASSOCIATION and the
TRENT CENTRAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

National Day of Action

Join the Canadian Federation of Students, student unions across Ontario, and the Trent Central Student Association in taking action by joining the fight for free and accessible post-secondary education, grants (not loans), and overall education justice. We will be demanding the Government of Canada to prioritize accessible education for ALL students. On Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, we go ALL OUT!

On November 8th, students from coast to coast are going to be hitting the streets to go ALL OUT for free and accessible education.

The TCSA is chartering a bus to take students to Queen's Park in Toronto, to make sure student voices are heard. We will also have sign-making and t-shirt printing workshops prior to November 8th to get you ready for the National Day of Action.

Click here to register to reserve your seat on the bus.

TCSA Fall By-Election: Unofficial Results

Thank you to all the student candidates who ran for a position on the TCSA Board of Directors in the 2023 fall by-election. We would also like to thank all the students who voted this past week in our elections.

We are pleased to announce the results of the 2023 fall by-election; these results are unofficial and pending ratification at our October Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday, October 15th at 1:00pm on Zoom (click here to register).

All are welcome to attend our Board of Directors meeting to help us ratify elections results and to learn about the elections process and elections report from our Lead Elections Officer.

Elections results can be viewed on our elections webpage. Congratulations to all candidates for a great campaign period.

Notice to the membership re: TCSA Fall By-Elections - Candidate Disqualification

An update to the Fall 2023 Elections Period: VP University and College Affairs Candidate Moeez Khawar, has been removed by the Elections Committee from the Fall By-Elections as the Candidate has received three infractions.

Infraction 1: Unauthorized Promotion

The Candidate hung a large 4-foot banner on the second floor of the Student Centre without receiving permission from the Elections Committee. This banner was hung the evening of Friday, October 6th and stayed in place until Tuesday, October 10th, when it could be removed by TCSA staff. The duration of the banner being up and lack of approval to hang said banner contributed to this infraction.

Additionally, the Candidate purchased an Instagram advertisement promoting their campaign. This advertisement and the content within it were not approved by the Elections Committee prior to being purchased and posted. This paid promotion was determined to have provided an unfair advantage to the candidate.

Rationale:

iv) All publicity materials must be approved by a representative of the Elections Committee and must bear a symbol of the Association prior to being mass produced;

vii) Other forms of online campaigning are permitted but are subject to the additional following conditions: • All forms of social media campaigning must be pre-approved by a representative of the Elections Committee prior to being posted online.

Infraction 2: Campaigning in Non-Designated Areas

On October 11th at 5:30 pm in The Ceilie, a non-registered representative of the Candidate’s campaign team was distributing the candidate’s campaign materials (business cards). The Ceilie is an unauthorized area for Election promotion. Candidates are responsible for the conduct of their campaign team members during the election period.

Rationale:

4. No materials can be posted in the Céilie or Chartwells spaces.

Candidates are responsible for the conduct of their campaign team members at all times.

Campaign team members found not abiding by elections regulations will be subject to disciplinary action.

Infraction 3: Unregistered Campaign Team Member Promotion

The Candidate did not meet the deadline for registering campaign team members. Despite this, the Candidate had a representative promoting campaign materials in the Ceilie on the Candidate’s behalf. This unregistered campaigning violates the election guidelines expressed to the candidates by the Elections Committee. Failure to meet the deadline for registration and, nonetheless, having representatives promote the candidate is not permissible.

Rationale:

Campaign Team Campaign team members are defined as individuals who solicit for, or assist, a candidate in any way with respect to elections. Campaign team members must be identified to the Elections Committee prior to the start of the campaigning period. Candidates are responsible for the conduct of their campaign team members at all times. Campaign team members found not abiding by elections regulations will be subject to disciplinary action.

i) All campaign staff members and all members of a referendum ‘yes’ or ‘no’ committee must be registered with the Elections Committee and must sign their respective code of conduct, separate from the code of conduct provided to candidates.

As outlined in the Association’s Elections Operating Resolution, “If a candidate or committee has accumulated a total of three (3) infractions, the Elections Committee has the power to remove them from the election process. “ The 2023 Elections Committee has unanimously decided to move forward on disqualifying the Candidate from the election. The Candidate has demonstrated a blatant disregard for campaigning rules with multiple infractions that have granted them an advantage over other candidates. All candidates were informed of the rules through an All Candidates Meeting and in the Election’s Handbook Document.

Respectfully submitted,

Wendy Walker

Lead Electoral Officer

On Behalf of the Elections Committee

The Link Transit Update: Change to Route 32

This is a news update regarding The Link route 32, servicing Bridgenorth and Ennismore via Trent University.

Please be advised that the James A. Gifford Causeway will be closed to all traffic from Friday, September 29th, 2023 until next Friday, October 6th, 2023. This closure will affect The Link bus service on Route 32 to Ennismore. Bus service to Ennismore will be suspended until the Causeway re-opens after next Friday, October 6th.

The Link Route 32 will continue to operate, as per the normal route and schedule between Trent University and Bridgenorth.

The TCSA's Letter to Peterborough City Council re: Transit Budgeting and Report IPSTR23-004

Throughout the summer General Manager Tracy Milne has been working on the Transit Liaison Committee advocating on students behalf to address proposed cuts to Peterborough Transit service. These cuts were initially proposed to limit the degree of service Peterborough Transit is capable of providing. More specifically, there were proposed cuts to weekend and holiday services altogether which would detrimentally impact students' access to the downtown core.

Peterborough Transit has no released a new report (Report IPSTR23-004), in which the City is willing to offer further budget to Peterborough Transit to address areas that are underserviced, ensuring that the increase in ridership will be more fulsomely supported with bolstered service.  The TCSA has written and sent the following letter to the Honourable Mayor Jeff Leal and the Peterborough City Councillors to voice the Association's support for the new report regarding changes to Peterborough Transit's budget allocation, and to further emphasize the need for Peterborough Transit's budget to not be cut. This is because it would have a critical impact on the overall service they can provide. Further, increasing the budget and hiring further staff members will better address the gaps in service witnessed last year.

Please see our letter below:

To the attention of the Honourable Mayor Jeff Leal and the Peterborough City Councilors;

The Trent Central Student Association would like to voice our support for the Report IPSTR23-004. The Association is in full support of the motion, as well as the report, in so far that it aligns amenably with the needs of our membership to access transportation across the city. Maintaining the Grid system offers further stability to the ridership, and enables a more efficient navigation of the city.

We endorse this report as it would help ensure that the student population’s accessibility requirements will be more fulsomely supported. Additionally, increasing the funding that Peterborough Transit receives will bolster the overall service provided, ultimately increasing ridership. 

Increased overall staffing will enhance Peterborough Transit’s capacity to provide service to the greater community, which will ensure that areas that were underserviced last year will be addressed. As well as avoid a high-frequency of cancellations as seen during the previous year.

Thank you for your time and consideration, we are confident that the Council will act in the best interest of all of its constituents.

Sincerely,

Trent Central Student Association


Letter of Support: No Support For Hate

The Trent Central Student Association would like to voice our support for the No Space for Hate in Ontario advocacy.

Educational institutions should welcome and celebrate diversity. Youth should not require parental consent before teachers should use their preferred pronouns and name. These archaic policies proposed by schools in several provinces across Canada are counterintuitive to self-determination.

Limiting access to gender affirming health care does not protect children, but rather puts transgender youth in a very dangerous position compromising their mental health. Access to gender affirming medical treatment is vital to supporting the livelihoods of transgender individuals.

The policies that have been proposed have led to significant outcry nationally in response. It is reprehensible that institutions may lay claim to determine the validity of anyone’s gender identity and expression. Self-identification should never be compromised by intolerance and ignorance.

The Association stands with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and encourages anyone who may be seeking support to reach out to the resources attached below.

You are always welcome here, Trent is your space.

Yours in solidarity,

Alexx Bodden                                   Aimee Anctil                                       Bri Policicchio 

                                                                     

Trent Central Student Association

Community-based 2SLGBTQ+ Support Resources

Trans Peer Outreach - transpeeroutreach@cmhahkpr.ca / (705) 748-6711 ext. 2100

Trans Peer Support Group - ccruise-baxter@cmhahkpr.ca

LGBT Youthline - Call: 1 (800) 268-9688 Text: (647) 694-4275 / askus@youthline.ca

Out On Campus - outoncampus@trentu.ca (@trentoutoncampus)

Trans Lifeline - 1 (877) 330-6366

Trent Queer Collective - trentqueercollective@gmail.com (@trentqueercollective)

Trent Centre for Women and Trans People - (@centreforwtp)

TCSA Gender Affirming Care Grant - trentcentral.ca

Trent Peer Support - peersupport@trentu.ca / (705) 930-7014



Notice of Resignation of Vice President University & College Affairs

To the membership: 

As of September 20th, 2023, Juman Zanzoul has resigned from her position as Vice President University & College Affairs at the Trent Central Student Association to focus on her studies.

If you have any questions pertaining to academics or the VPUC portfolio, please contact president@trentcentral.ca

We wish her all the best in all her future endeavours.

TCSA Fall Elections Now Open!

This is your chance to get involved with your student union!

The TCSA fall elections are currently open, and we encourage students to run for any of the vacant positions on our Board of Directors. Holding a position on our student-run Board of Directors is a great way to meet students, gain leadership experience, advocate for other students, run campaigns and events for students, and create change.

Our Board of Directors meets once per month, during which you can bring forward ideas you would like to put into place, as well as suggestions for TCSA and campus policies and initiatives. Each Board of Directors member has access to funding and resources to bring those initiatives into fruition.

Candidate registration is open until September 29th; to run for a position, simply download a candidate registration form from our website, or visit the TCSA office to pick one up. Submit your completed candidate registration form back to the TCSA office.

Vacant positions:

  • Mature Students Commisisoner

  • Part-Time Students Commissioner

  • Racialized Students Commissioner

  • Students with Disabilities Commissioner

For more information about these positions, feel free to reach out to tcsaelections@trentu.ca