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Handbook
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Table of Contents
Graduate Studies at Trent University
School of Graduate Studies
Trent Graduate Student Association (TGSA)
Graduate Program Offices
Traill College
Welcome to Peterborough
New Graduate Student Information/Prior to Arrival
Letter of Offer/Conditional Offers
Documentation for International Students
myTrent Access
Information Technology (IT)
Campus Card
Tuition Deposit
Graduate Teaching/Research Assistantships
Graduate 10 Hour Rule
Graduate Student Terms
Registration Information & Graduate Courses
Course Auditing
Accommodation
Trent International Program (TIP)
Transportation
Arrival & First Few Weeks
Orientation
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Workshops
Office Assignments
Parking Permits
Funding
Health and Dental Benefits
UHIP
Student Services
Security
Health and Wellness
Academic-Related Support
Non-Academic Support
Completing Your Degree
Completing a Major Research Paper (MRP)
Completing an Internship
Preparing for Thesis/Dissertation Defence
The Defence
Thesis/Dissertation Formatting
Electronic Thesis Submission
Required Final Copies
Degree Requirements Met
Application to Convocate
Convocation
Appendix
Theses and Dissertations: Guidelines for Supervisors, Graduate Students,
Supervisory Committees and Graduate Programs
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Graduate Studies at Trent University
Welcome to Graduate Studies at Trent University. This handbook has been
created by the School of Graduate Studies to act as a guide for graduate
students for the duration of their time at Trent University. It contains information
on all stages of the graduate student experience, and offers links to many
helpful University resources. This handbook is not intended to supersede the
Graduate Academic Calendar and students should make themselves familiar
with the information contained within the Academic Calendar.
School of Graduate Studies
The School of Graduate Studies is located in the Science Complex in suite 201
and is responsible for the administration of graduate degree programs offered
at Trent University, the appointment of graduate faulty, the admissions and
registration of graduate students, as well as the management of scholarship and
awards for graduate students. The Graduate Studies Committee consists of
members of Trent faculty, Graduate Program Directors and graduate students
from various disciplines. The Graduate Studies Committee is a standing
committee of Senate and reviews and makes recommendations to Senate on
all matters of education policy and planning for graduate studies.
To contact the School of Graduate Studies:
phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7245
fax: 705-748-1154
email: [email protected]
website: http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/
Dean of Graduate Studies
Elaine Scharfe
705-748-1011 ext. 7936
[email protected]
Manager, Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Jenifer Richardson
705-748-1011 ext. 7346
[email protected]
Graduate Finance Officer
Jane Rennie
705-748-1011 ext. 7075
[email protected]
Registration & Data Management Officer
Jenny Conroy
705-748-1011 ext. 6271
[email protected]
Administrative Assistant & Recruitment Officer
Jeffery Langevin
705-748-1011 ext. 7357
[email protected]
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Trent Graduate Student Association (TGSA)
The Trent Graduate Students’ Association (TGSA) acts on behalf of all graduate
students enrolled at Trent University. Our main goal is to represent your interests,
advocate for your needs, and to promote equity and social justice. We do this
by maintaining communication with Trent University administration, faculty, staff,
and undergraduate students, as well as organizations outside of the Trent
community. We also seek to provide intellectual, cultural, social, and political
activities for graduate students, provide financial support, and administer a
health benefits plan for all graduate students.
The TGSA meets this mandate by organizing both social and academic events,
and providing financial support for graduate students. We organize monthly
events including summer BBQs and end-of-term banquets. We also provide
financial support directly to students through conference and academic
bursaries, as well as for events that foster intellectual growth and a sense of
community, such as the Thomas HB Symons Seminar Series.
There are a number of ways to become involved with the TGSA. Students can
run for year-long elected positions or serve on the Board as a program
representative (a full list of positions available on our website). Board meetings
are open for any and all students to attend, and we are always looking for
volunteers to assist with events or represent the TGSA on various committees.
For more information on TGSA activities, events and financial support visit the
TGSA website (www.trentgsa.ca). Please contact us if you have any questions
at [email protected] or by phone at 705-748-1011 ext. 6423. We are located at 223
Wallis Hall, Traill College – our door is always open!
Graduate Program Offices
Each program has a graduate program office with a designated program
director and an administrative assistant. For additional information on a specific
program, please visit
https://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/programsofstudy.php.
Traill College
Traill College is the home of graduate students who are continuing their studies
at Trent. Traill College is located in Peterborough’s downtown core; it marks the
point at which the university intersects with the urban community. Traill is also
home to the Trend, a pub and restaurant. Additional information regarding Traill
College can be found at https://www.trentu.ca/colleges/traill/ or by contacting
[email protected].
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Welcome to Peterborough
Peterborough has the energy and resources that make it a great university
town. With a population of just under 80,000, the City of Peterborough is big
enough to offer plenty of things to do, but small enough that it’s friendly and
easy to navigate. Trent University is in Central Ontario, in a vacation area known
as the Kawarthas – the “Land of Shining Waters” – famous for its beautiful lakes
and water recreation. It is just 90-minutes from Toronto, three hours from Ottawa,
and five hours from Montreal. For additional information on what Peterborough
and the surrounding areas have to offer, visit: http://thekawarthas.ca/ or:
https://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/peterboroughexperience.php. New Graduate Student Information/Prior to Arrival
Letter of Offer
Your Letter of Offer outlines your terms of study, your funding arrangements and
any conditions of the offer.
Conditional Offers
Some students receive letters of offer which have specific conditions which
need to be met prior to registration. Students with studies in progress at the time
of offer must provide official final transcripts and confirmation of degree
completion prior to registration. A letter of offer from the School of Graduate
Studies will outline any specific conditions and indicate a date by which these
conditions must be met in order to be permitted to register. Students who have
concerns about meeting the requirements by the deadline should contact the
School of Graduate Studies.
Documentation for International Students
All international students must submit a valid Canadian study permit to the
School of Graduate Studies prior to registering. It is recommended that
international students apply for study permits as soon as they receive their letter
of offer as this process may take several weeks. Some international students may
also be required to submit English Proficiency test scores. If required, this would
be indicated in the letter of offer. The Trent International Program (TIP) can
answer questions about International documentation, including Visas and Work
Permits. Please contact TIP at 705-748-1314 or [email protected].
myTrent Access
Email and network accounts will be available for students prior to the start date
of your program. To activate your account, go to: www.trentu.ca/claimid. For
information on myTrent student accounts, visit http://trentu.ca/it/student.php. 4
The Trent email account is considered the official e-mail account and will be
used to communicate with students for academic and administrative purposes.
Students are responsible for monitoring and maintaining their Trent email
account to ensure that email is accessed, read and acted upon in a timely
fashion. Students should be aware that emails from non-Trent accounts will not
be considered official. For more information about email at Trent please see:
http://www.trentu.ca/it/studentemail.php
Information Technology (IT)
Information Technology (IT) provides each student with a Trent account that
allows them access to airTrent, audio/visual resources, computer labs, email, the
myTrent student portal, LearningSystem online course content, print services,
WebSpace web publishing, and WiredTrent. Further information can be found
online at: http://www.trentu.ca/it/
Campus Card
All registered graduate students require a campus card. The Trent Card is your
official identification card (i.e. student card) while you are a graduate student.
The Trent Card allows you to deposit funds into a general spending account to
use for purchases across campus. In addition, your Trent Card enables access to
a variety of services such as athletics, health services and counselling services.
For additional information and for a full list of what the campus card is used for,
visit http://www.trentu.ca/trentucard/using.php. The Trent Card Office is located
in Blackburn Hall room 104.
Students requiring access to science buildings will need their Trent Campus Card
programmed for after-hours access. This could include access to the Science
Complex (SC), the Environmental Science Building (ESB), the Chemistry Building
(CSB), the DNA or Life and Health Science Buildings (DNA/LHS). Students’
supervisors must send an email to Chris Williams, the Science Facilities Manager
([email protected]). The email must indicate the student’s full name, program
(M.Sc., Ph.D.) and to which building(s) access is requested.
Tuition Deposit
The School of Graduate Studies at Trent University does not require a tuition
deposit. Student fees are due three times each year, during the first month of
each term, as indicated in the graduate calendar. For further information
regarding student fees, please visit
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/financialsupport.php.
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Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
Many students receive a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) as part of their
funding commitment. GTAs are considered employment income and average
approximately 10 hours of work per week to a maximum of 120 hours per term.
The terms of employment are governed under the Collective Agreement with
CUPE Local 3908, Unit 2 and Trent University.
Students with a GTA are paid monthly through Trent’s payroll system on the 28th
of each month. To activate monthly payroll, each student must submit the
following package:
1. Valid Social Insurance number (SIN number)
2. A void cheque or a bank statement with account information,
3. Completed form 1A to their graduate program office prior to the
positing start date. Form 1A can be obtained from your program office
or at: http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
4. Completed TD1 federal and provincial tax forms. Tax forms can be
downloaded from:
http://www.trentu.ca/humanresources/managers/payroll_taxforms.php
Please be aware of the payroll deadlines. All new hiring requests (i.e. GTAs) must
be completed and processed by 10th of the month to be included on that
monthly payment date. Any forms received after the 10th, will be processed on
the next month’s payroll.
A GTA must be registered as a graduate student as a condition of employment.
In order to enable graduate students who have been allocated a GTA to
indicate interest in specific work assignments, and to enable graduate students
to be informed about specific work assignments, a list of courses in which GTAs
may be required, will be posted by August 1st in the myTrent portal. The list will
include title, course number, duration, department and contact person. The
availability of these assignments is subject to change, depending on
undergraduate enrolment. Statement of interests indicating the applicants
preferred work assignment should be sent to the contact person, and copied to
the graduate program director, no later than August 15th. The employer will first
assign those qualified applicants previously employed as GTAs. Where two or
more qualified applicants have expressed a preference for the same work
assignment, the applicant having greater prior experience of the same
assignment will be given priority. Where two or more qualified applicants with
equal experience of the same work assignment express a preference for that
work assignment, the employer will appoint the most appropriate applicant.
In consultation with the department chairs, the graduate program directors
assign students to approved GTA positions. In making these assignments, the
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graduate program directors consider the preferences, if they have been sent by
students, as well as the needs and requests of the undergraduate chairs. They
also take into account (especially, but not only in interdisciplinary programs) the
student’s background, area of research, and the undergraduate programs
supporting the graduate program. Failure to assign GTAs to their preferred work
assignments shall not be considered grounds for a grievance.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
Some students may receive a Research Assistantship (GRA) as part of their
funding arrangements. GRAs are considered employment income and average
approximately 10 hours of work per week to a maximum of 120 hours per term.
GRAs work under the direction of a researcher. The research work being done
does not necessarily relate to the student’s own research or program of study.
Students with a GRA are paid monthly through Trent’s payroll system on the 28th
of each month. To activate monthly payroll, each student must submit the
following package:
1. Valid Social Insurance number (SIN number)
2. A void cheque or a bank statement with account information,
3. Completed form 1A to their graduate program office prior to the
positing start date. Form 1A can be obtained from your program office
or at: http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
4. Completed TD1 federal and provincial tax forms. Tax forms can be
downloaded from:
http://www.trentu.ca/humanresources/managers/payroll_taxforms.php
Please be aware of the payroll deadlines. All new hiring requests (i.e. GRAs) must
be completed and processed by 10th of the month to be included on that
monthly payment date. Any forms received after the 10th, will be processed on
the next month’s payroll.
Graduate 10 Hour Rule
Full time graduate students should be in a position to devote their full time and
energy to a coherent program of graduate study and research, and should
make full time progress toward completion of the requirements of that
program. University-related employment (such as an assistantship for teaching,
research or administrative tasks) may provide a significant portion of the
financial support that enables a graduate student to pursue graduate study,
and may provide experience that supplements the formal academic program
in developing skills relevant to a future faculty position or other career. However,
too much time spent on employment activities diverts time and energy from the
program of study and research, and delays completion.
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The common benchmark for the maximum acceptable time spent on universityrelated (or other) employment for full time graduate students is an average of
ten hours per week. Versions of the ten-hour rule have been adopted by the
federal granting councils and the Ontario Graduate Scholarships, as well as by
the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies.
It is not possible or desirable for the university to monitor and enforce the
employment activities of its graduate students outside the university. However, it
is both possible and desirable for the university to ensure that it does not itself
create a structural situation that jeopardizes the ability of the graduate student
to make full time progress toward the completion of graduate program
requirements. Accordingly the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies has long
upheld the ten hour rule; i.e., that every member university is committed that full
time graduate students should not be permitted to work more than an average
of ten hours per week on campus, and should be encouraged to limit their time
spent on employment either inside or outside the university to an average of no
more than ten hours per week.
In August 1994, the government requested that OCGS publicly confirm its
position on the ten hour rule (i.e. that the number of hours a full time graduate
student may spend on employment paid on or through the university should not
exceed an average of ten hours per week). OCGS did so on September 16,
1994, and subsequently reaffirmed that position on January 21, 2000, and again
on January 21, 2005.
Graduate Student Terms
Graduate programs require continuous enrolment 12 months a year. The year is
divided into three terms:
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Fall term (GF): September 1 to December 31
Winter term (GW): January 1 to April 30
Spring/Summer term (GS): May 1 to August 31
Students are expected to be continuously registered, unless they are in an
approved leave of absence from their studies. Students must register
themselves for each term by the dates outlined in the Graduate Calendar.
Students whom fail to register each term by the deadline may be withdrawn
from their program.
Registration Information
Registration for all graduate students opens August 1st each year for the
upcoming academic year. The registration system is accessed by logging into
myTrent under the Academics tab in the Course Registration section. Graduate
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students are required to be continuously registered in all three terms per year
(fall, winter and spring/summer), regardless of whether they are registered in any
courses.
Graduate Student registration is a two-step process:
Step 1: Register in your program
Each term, students must register in one of the following:
Master’s Students (all M.A.s and M.Sc.s)
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GSFT-500
GSPT-500
Master level, full time registration, or
Master level, part time registration
Doctoral Students (all Ph.D.s)


GSFT-800
GSPT-800
Doctoral level, full time registration, or
Doctoral level, part time registration
Registering for one of these choices serves to activate registration in the
program for the term. Students will be considered active and charged tuition
based on this completed step. For detailed instructions on how to use myTrent
consult the Program Registration Guide at:
www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php
Step 2: Register for courses
At the graduate level, course registration normally occurs after consultation with
your Supervisor and Graduate program. Once students have their course
selection, they can register for courses online through myTrent. For detailed
instructions on how to use myTrent, consult the Course Registration Guide at:
www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php
Graduate Courses
Requirements for graduate courses vary amongst graduate programs. It is
important that students consult the graduate calendar for specific program
requirements by visiting http://www.trentu.ca/calendar/. Many programs have
required core courses in addition to elective courses. If students are unsure of
program specific requirements and which courses to take, it is important to
check with the program or supervisor.
A list of course offerings for graduate students can be found at:
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/timetable.php.
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Students should consult with their individual graduate program for additional
information about graduate courses.
Course Auditing
Graduate students may register to audit the equivalent of 1 full credit course in
any graduate or undergraduate program at Trent University without being
assessed any additional fees. Courses taken for audit will not count for credit but
will be recorded on the student’s transcript and the term ‘AU’ in lieu of a grade.
Students must obtain permission from the course instructor and the graduate
program to audit.
Accommodations
Residence
Trent’s residential program is one of the few programs in the world based on the
Oxford University model. This means the residence halls are not just residence
halls. They are colleges; complete living and learning environments with
classrooms, faculty offices, dining and gathering spaces. To see a complete list
of residence’s offered at Trent, please visit http://www.trentu.ca/housing/ or
contact [email protected]. Trent University’s Housing Services is located in
Suite 129 in Blackburn Hall.
Wallis Hall
Wallis Hall offers beautifully-appointed and renovated, self-contained one and
two bedroom apartments at Traill College in downtown Peterborough. Wallis
Hall is home to many Trent University graduate students. For additional
information and photos, please visit http://www.trentu.ca/housing/apartments/wallis.php.
Off Campus Housing
Trent University’s Off Campus Housing Services offer helpful starting points for
Trent Graduate Students who wish to live off campus. They provide students with
many services such as up to date accommodation listings, information on living
off-campus, including tenant rights, responsibilities and safety, the Residential
Tenancies Act and the Landlord and Tenant Board and information about the
city of Peterborough. For more information call 705-748-1011 ext. 7128 or visit
http://www.trentu.ca/housing/offcampus/overview.php.
Trent International Program (TIP)
The Trent International Program supports international graduate students with
issues such as academic concerns, housing needs, financial difficulties, health
insurance, cultural adaptation, immigration policies and procedures and
challenges that may arise concerning relations within the Trent and
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Peterborough Communities. Further information regarding TIP can be found
online at: http://www.trentu.ca/international.
Transportation
All Graduate students have the option to purchase a city of Peterborough
Transit Pass through the Trent Card Office. Graduate students starting in the fall
term may purchase a transit pass that is valid from mid-August until the following
September. Students should check their fee schedule
(http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/financialsupport.php) for the updated
cost of a transit pass. Graduate students starting in winter or spring terms must
check with the Trent Card Office for a pro-rated transit pass.
Trent Express and Peterborough Transit
To ride the Trent Express or Peterborough Transit, students must show their transit
card. The Trent Express travels from the downtown terminal on Simcoe Street to
East Bank and West Bank on a frequent basis. Further information and a detailed
Trent Express transit schedule can be found by visiting
http://trentcentral.ca/transit.php/ or contacting [email protected]. For further information regarding Peterborough Transit, please visit:
http://www.peterborough.ca/Living/City_Services/Transportation/Transit.htm
GO Transit
GO Transit Services offers service between Trent University and the Oshawa GO
Station. Tickets for GO Transit can be purchased directly from GO Transit or on
campus Monday to Friday, in Champlain College room S110. For further
information regarding GO Transit, please visit
http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/travelling/school.aspx.
Greyhound
Greyhound Canada is located downtown Peterborough and provides intercity
bus transportation to various locations. The Greyhound station is located at 220
Simcoe Street. Please visit http://www.greyhound.ca for services, routes and
fares.
Arrival & First Few Weeks
Orientation
The School of Graduate Studies orientation is held each September during
orientation week. This orientation is planned to give all graduate students
information about services available to graduate students. A schedule of
orientation events will be posted at
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
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Individual graduate programs may hold their own orientation specifically for
their students. Information about any program specific orientation will be
communicated directly from the program office. Students may also be required
to attend a discipline specific orientation. For example, students working in labs
may have to attend WHMIS training. Information about these sessions will be
forwarded from the program office.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Workshops
For students who have been given a GTA position, the instructional
development Centre (IDC) at Trent offers workshops for graduate students.
These workshops are strongly recommended for new graduate students who
have a GTA for the first time; however these workshops are open to all graduate
students. More information can be found at http://www.trentu.ca/idc/tatc.php
or by contacting the Coordinator of the IDC, Angie Best, [email protected].
Office Assignments
Most graduate students are assigned an office location on campus. Office
location and keys will be issued from the program office.
Parking Permits
Permits, pay & display tickets or an authorized visitor pass are required in order to
park on campus from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday to Friday (except holidays as
recognized by the University). All other parking regulations are enforced 24 hours
a day, 7 days per week. For further information and prices regarding parking
permits, please visit http://www.trentu.ca/parking/permits.php. The Parking and
Access Control Office is located in Blackburn Hall in room 103.
Funding
Dean’s Ph.D. Scholarship
The Dean’s Ph.D. Scholarship is offered to doctoral students to support research
in their graduate programs, and is normally offered at the time of admission. The
award is loaded on the student account each eligible term in one-third
increments of the total annual allocation.
Dean’s Excellence Award
The Dean’s Excellence Award is awarded to Doctoral students receiving major
external scholarships such as OGS, NSERC, SSHRC or CIHR. Awards are normally
$3,000 per year and are held in conjunction with the external scholarship. The
award is loaded on the student account each eligible term in one-third
increments of the total annual allocation.
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Entrance Scholarships
Entrance scholarships are normally offered at the time of admission and will be
distributed as per the terms in the letter of offer.
Research Fellowship (RF)
Research fellowships are offered to graduate students in the humanities and
social sciences as part of support toward their research. Awards are normally
offered at the time of admission. The RF is loaded on the student account each
eligible term in one-third increments of the total annual allocation.
Research Fellowship Awards (RFA)
Research fellowship awards are financial supports provided to graduate
students (usually in the sciences) from the grant holder overseeing a student’s
research. RFAs do not have any requirements for work other than activity toward
the completion of the student’s degree including research that forms part of the
thesis. A research fellowship award may be deemed non-taxable by Revenue
Canada (subject to current tax rules).
Students are required to submit either Form 1B (if funds are to be issued) or Form
1D (if funds are to remain on student account).
Payroll Deductions (Tuition Payment Plan Option)
Students can opt to have a set amount deducted from their monthly GTA pay
to be allocated to their student account for payment towards tuition fees. In
order to enrol for this tuition payment plan option, students must complete forms
each year in the School of Graduate Studies office.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides opportunities for loans
and grants for students who are Ontario residents.
Visit http://www.trentu.ca/financialaid/osap.php or
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal for further information regarding eligibility for
this program.
Domestic students from outside of Ontario should check with their provincial
financial aid program. All provincial aid programs are administered through the
Financial Aid office, located in Blackburn Hall. Paying Your Fees
Graduate student fees are due three times a year:
-
Fall term: September 28th
Winter term: January 28th
Spring/summer term: May 28th
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The financial services website outlines available payment options to students
https://www.trentu.ca/financialservices/payment.php. Students with outstanding account balances may have their access to myTrent
restricted until full payment is received. Failure to make financial arrangements
for outstanding balances could result in collection agency activity.
Health and Dental Benefits
The Trent graduate student health and dental plan is administered by the Trent
Graduate Student Association (TGSA). All students paying full time graduate fees
are automatically enrolled in the health and dental benefit plan. Part time
students and additional family members have the option of opting in. For
information on opting-out (with proof of alternative coverage) or for additional
benefit information, please visit http://trentgsa.ca/health-dental-plan/
UHIP
International students are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.
Thus, they must register for the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). UHIP
covers basic hospital and doctors' services in Ontario. This plan is mandatory for
all international students. Students should register the first week of classes. The
UHIP program at Trent University is administered by the Trent International
Program (TIP) office. For further information, please contact the Trent UHIP
coordinator, Julie Jenkins, [email protected]. The official University Health
Insurance Plan website can be accessed at www.uhip.ca.
Reimbursement for UHIP costs may be available for eligible members of CUPE
3908 Unit 2. Visit their website for forms and further information at:
http://cupe3908.org/benefits-and-forms.php.
Student Services
Security
Campus Security
The Campus Security department is dedicated to creating a safe and
welcoming environment for students, staff, faculty and visitors that recognizes
and is respectful of the diverse nature of the Trent Community. Further
information regarding what services they offer can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/security/
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Emergency First Response
Trent University Emergency First Response Team (TUEFRT) is a volunteer
organization which runs 24/7 during the academic year to provide first response
to any medical situation on Symons Campus. Their personnel are trained First
Responders to the standards of Red Cross and will respond to any medical
emergency, no matter the severity. TUEFRT is not a replacement for EMS, but
provides a response time which currently averages at 3 minutes. Further
information regarding TUEFRT can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/stuorg/tuefrt/
Walkhome
The Trent Walkhome program offers trained teams of student volunteers to walk
students, faculty and staff safely on the Symons and Traill College campuses
and surrounding areas, as a safe alternative to walking alone late at night.
Further information about the program can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/walkhome/
Health and Wellness
Student Wellness Centre
The mission of the Student Wellness Centre is to provide holistic and integrated
services to address the bio-psychosocial needs of students studying at Trent
University. The Student Wellness Centre consists of Student Health Services, the
Trent Counselling Centre, and Student Accessibility Services. All services are
strictly confidential and co-located in Blackburn Hall. Visit their website for
workshops and activities to help improve overall wellness and time at Trent:
http://www.trentu.ca/wellness. Athletic Centre
As the only fitness and recreation facility in the growing north end of the City of
Peterborough, the new Athletics Centre at the Trent Community Sport &
Recreation Centre (TCSRC) is a modern, multi-sport centre of excellence,
designed to serve the wellness needs of students and all residents of the
Peterborough Region. Offering a full-spectrum of indoor and outdoor fitness and
recreation experience unparalleled anywhere in the region, the Athletics Centre
provides vital wellness services. Further information can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/athletics/overview.php.
Trent Active Minds (TAM)
Trent Active Minds is a student-led group determined to raise awareness about
mental health and encourage help-seeking on Trent campus. By providing
information, opportunities, leadership and advocacy training, Active Minds
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functions as a liaison between students and the mental health community. TAM
aims to reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues, and cultivate a
comfortable environment for dialogue. Further information can be found at:
http://trentactiveminds.wordpress.com/. Spiritual Affairs
Trent Spiritual Affairs is available for you as a guide along your journey, to discuss
personal religious, spiritual or ethical issues that may arise, information about
local congregations and faith groups or simply providing a person who listens
without judgement. Further information can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/spiritualaffairs/overview.php.
Trent Health in Motion
Trent Health in Motion is a multidisciplinary clinic located in the Trent Community
Sport & Recreation Centre. The centre offers a range of services and treatments
provided by: physiotherapists; massage therapists; chiropodists; athletic
therapists; kinesiologists; an exercise physiologist; an orthopaedic surgeon; and a
sports physician, all in one site at Trent University. Further information can be
found online at: http://www.trentu.ca/athletics/thim.php Academic-Related Support Bata Library
The Library consists of two branches: the Thomas J. Bata Library, located on the
Symons Campus in Peterborough; and the Oshawa Campus Library, located at
the Thornton Road Campus in Oshawa. The Library website
(www.trentu.ca/library) provides information and links to the online catalogue
(TopCat), library skills program, workshops, guides, tutorials, assistance, forms,
and e-resources.
Academic Skills Centre (ASC)
The Academic Skills Centre provides instruction in writing and other academic
skills to graduate students in the arts, social sciences and sciences. Their
instructors can assist students in honing their skills in clear writing and grammar,
critical and efficient reading, time management, documentation, and
organizing time and writing. The ASC offers individual consultations, "online
appointments," workshops, and online resources. The ASC is located in
Champlain College room 206. For more information call 705-748-1720, or check
out their website: www.trentu.ca/academicskills/overview_graduate.php.
Career Centre
The Trent Career Centre is students’ on-campus and online resource for planning
their career and finding employment. At the Career Centre, graduate students
will find information on different career options and effective work search
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strategies. Individual appointments are available for CV/resume/cover letter
critiques and career counselling. Career and employment workshops and
information sessions are held throughout the school year.
Online, check out 'Resources for Career Development' on Pathways:
Professional Development Resources for Graduate Students:
www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/pathways/career.php.
Access the Student Job Board through the Trent Portal for full-time, part-time
and summer employment opportunities. Graduate students can also visit the
Career Centre website for more career-related info on services, resources, and
events at: www.trentu.ca/careers.
Naadimaagewin (Indigenous Student Services)
The Naadimaagewin program is designed to offer academic support and a
cultural based program of services open to all Trent University students. All of the
programming and services offered under the umbrella of Naadimaagewin are
provided through First Peoples House of Learning. Further information can be
found online at: http://www.trentu.ca/fphl/services/overview.php.
Print Shop
The Print Shop specializes in: colour copies, colour transparencies, posters,
brochures, photocopies, vendor card sales, business cards, large format printing
and much more. Further information can be found online at:
http://www.trentu.ca/printshop. Non-Academic Support
CUPE 3908
Graduate students who work as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are
represented by the CUPE 3908 Unit 2 union. CUPE 3908 holds a collective
agreement, which is a legal document that outlines all the intricacies of GTA
work such as: wages, hours, work assignments, grievance procedures, job
postings, health & safety, discrimination & harassment. To review the collective
agreement or receive further information about the CUPE union, please see their
website: http://cupe3908.org/unit2.php
Aramark Food Services
Trent University offers food service at each college, which feature comfortable
dining areas with a choice of nutritious dishes, healthy selections and old
favourites by Aramark Canada. Further information about Aramark Food
Services and the voluntary meal plans can be found at:
http://www.trentu.ca/housing/services/aramark.php.
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Daycare
Trent Child Care has been providing high quality child care for children in the
Peterborough area since 1974. They offer a wide range of programs for children
between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years. Their programs meet the overall
developmental needs of children. The Trent University location operates in a
community setting which establishes the optimal conditions for a social, cultural,
creative, and intellectual learning process. All programs are accessible, and
offer integrated care for children with special needs. Further information about
Trent Child Care can be found at: http://www.trentchildcare.com/index.html
Completing Your Degree
Students should consult with their graduate program regarding necessary steps
involved in the thesis defence process. Students must remain registered until
they have received confirmation that degree requirement have been met from
the School of Graduate Studies.
Completing a Major Research Paper (MRP)
Students in a course based program (major research paper stream) should be in
communication with their program regarding the steps to completion. Major
research papers are not required to go to defence and do not need to be
submitted in hard copy.
The major research paper will be read and graded by the student’s supervisor,
and at least one second reader, selected from Trent faculty members
appointed to graduate programs. Individual programs may require additional
readers and/or committee members, one of whom may be external to the
university. The MRP will receive a numerical grade.
Completing an Internship
Students in an internship-based program should be in communication with their
program regarding the steps to completion. Internships are co-supervised by a
member of the program graduate faculty and a placement supervisor. The
placement supervisor will submit a report and the student will submit an essay at
the end of the internship to the faculty supervisor and, assuming the report and
essay are satisfactory, the faculty supervisor will assign a numerical grade.
Preparing for Thesis/Dissertation Defence
Upon approval from the student’s supervisory committee and supervisor that the
proposed thesis/dissertation has been recommended for defence, the
graduate program will organize the scheduling of the defence. Students should
be in communication with their program regarding the details of the defence.
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The Defence
The program will confirm the details of the defence. Every attempt shall be
made to schedule the defence within 6-8 weeks from the date of approval of
the submitted thesis/dissertation by all members of the supervisory committee.
All graduate defences will be conducted on one of the Trent campuses with the
candidate physically present at the examination.
Prior to the day of the defence, students should test any audio/visual equipment
they plan to use. Graduate programs can assist with these details.
On the day of the defence, students should be prepared to present a 20 minute
presentation of their research and to answer questions from the examining
committee. The examining committee will determine the results of the student’s
defence and will provide required revisions (if applicable) and a date by which
revisions must be complete.
Once defence revisions have been completed, students should receive
approval from their supervisor that these revisions have been accepted.
Thesis/Dissertation Formatting
When required revisions from defence have been completed and approved,
students may begin to format their thesis for final submission. Students must
consult the thesis formatting guide which can be found at:
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
Once formatting has been completed, students should submit the first 10-20
pages to the School of Graduate Studies ([email protected]) for final
approval before printing. When the School of Graduate Studies has reviewed
the final copy, the student will be notified to proceed with electronic thesis
submission and printing of final hard copies.
Electronic Thesis Submission
Electronic submission is mandatory for Doctoral dissertations and Master’s
Theses. Major research papers are not deposited online. For electronic thesis
submission instructions, please see Online Submission Instructions located at:
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php. Please note that binding
occurs through the School of Graduate Studies, and you are not required to
complete the binding process as part of the electronic thesis submission.
Required Final Copies
Students are required to submit a minimum of three hard copies of their final
approved dissertation/thesis to the School of Graduate Studies. These required
copies will be bound and distributed to 1) The Graduate Program, 2) Supervisor,
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3) Bata Library. Students may order additional personal copies through the
School of Graduate Studies. Arrangements for printing are the responsibility of
the student. Students may choose to use the Trent Print Shop for the printing of
their final copies. Contact [email protected] for assistance.
All expenses related to printing, binding and mailing are the responsibility of the
student. Fees incurred from binding and mailing bound copies will be charged
to the student account. Students are also required to submit the Theses NonExclusive Licence Form. This form can be found at:
http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
Students will be notified when their bound copy/copies are available for pickup.
Required copies will be distributed by the School of Graduate Studies.
Degree Requirements Met
The School of Graduate Studies will assign students a date indicating all degree
requirements have been met. This date is assigned when the School of
Graduate Studies receives a student’s final hard copy submission, notification
from the graduate program that all revisions are complete and approved, and
all course work is successfully completed. This date may be any day of the year.
Applicable term fees and refunds will be applied, in accordance with our
published financial dates found in the Academic Calendar.
Application to Convocate
Upon completion of your graduate program, students must submit a Graduate
Student Application to Convocate to the School of Graduate Studies. The form
can be found at: http://www.trentu.ca/graduatestudies/forms.php.
Eligible students will have their name forwarded to the next scheduled meeting
of Senate, where degrees are conferred.
Convocation
Trent University’s Senate normally meets three times a year to confer degrees
(fall, winter, spring). Once Senate has conferred degrees, the School of
Graduate Studies will request degree parchments. Students must have their
accounts in good standing in order to receive their parchment. Students with
balances owing should notify the School of Graduate Studies once their
accounts have been paid in full, in order to obtain their parchment.
Graduation Convocation Ceremony
Each June, Trent University holds convocation ceremonies for all eligible
graduating students. Graduate students who complete their programs
throughout the academic year will be eligible and invited to the next June
ceremony. Information and a schedule regarding the upcoming convocation
ceremony can be found at: http://www.trentu.ca/convocation/.
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Theses and Dissertations:
Guidelines for Supervisors, Graduate Students, Supervisory
Committees and Graduate Programs
These guidelines lay out the normal practices and principles for all graduate
programs at Trent University. They are a précis of a longer statement on
supervision passed by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students, faculty
supervisors, supervisory committees and graduate programs all assume certain
responsibilities vis a vis supervision, and are entitled to expect reciprocal
commitments. These guidelines are not exhaustive, and they may be
augmented by specific Graduate Program guidelines or regulations. In addition
to these guidelines, faculty and students should be aware of university policies,
especially those governing academic integrity, ethics in research, violence on
campus, harassment, and conflict of interest, all of which can be accessed
through the Graduate Studies web site or the University Senate website.
The Supervisor’s role and responsibilities:
1. Commit the time and energy needed to supervise a student to
completion
2. Have familiarity with the field of research, or indicate a willingness to gain
that familiarity.
3. Discuss with the student the specific nature of the proposed research, and
provide guidance on constructing the project, dealing with potential
problems, and assessing the progress of the research. In all areas of
graduate work, including the thesis/dissertation or major research paper,
supervisors should routinely convey their expectations for the student's
academic performance and completion of the degree, and how they will
review the student’s progress.
4. At the outset, discuss intellectual property rights (IP) issues, including how
decisions concerning IP and authorship of publications that involve shared
work, will be made. The supervisor should outline the degree to which a
research project may be an integral part of a larger research program of
the supervisor and the implications for authorship of resulting publications,
including the areas of the research project over which the supervisor
wishes to claim background intellectual property rights. Faculty and
students should be aware of Graduate Studies guidelines on IP, see:
http://www.trentu.ca/research/ip.php.
5. Discuss what they are able to provide in terms of space, equipment,
facilities, and financial support. Information on financial support should be
made in writing.
6. Make every effort to ensure that the resources (e.g., laboratory/field
facilities and essential operating funds) necessary for thesis research
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project or major research paper will be available in a timely manner. They
can also assist the student in gaining access to facilities or research
material.
7. Be reasonably accessible to the student for consultation concerning
research and discussion of the student's progress. Requests for
consultation, advice or input on academic matters should not be
unreasonably denied.
8. Make satisfactory arrangements for the supervision of the student when
they are on leave or extended absence from the campus.
9. Assist their students in developing a program of study that can be
completed within the specified time limits. They should convey their
expectations for research and writing, such as the quantity and quality of
research required, the length and composition of a thesis or major paper.
10. Inform their students of the approximate time it will take for submitted
written material to be returned with comments.
11. Offer the student explanations for criticism and provide constructive
suggestions for improvement on written and oral assignments.
12. Indicate when a thesis or major paper is ready to submit to the supervisory
committee or, if the supervisor believes that it cannot be successfully
completed, communicate this to the student (and the supervisory
committee, if appropriate) with reasons.
13. Monitor any major discrepancies in advice given to the student by
members of the supervisory committee and/or supervisor, and attempt to
achieve resolution and consensus on the issue(s) involved.
14. Inform the program director, in a timely fashion, of any serious difficulties
which arise, including professional academic disagreements,
interpersonal conflicts, or potential conflict of interest situations.
15. May request withdrawal of a student from the program, following normal
program review procedures, if they feel that continued supervision could
not lead to the satisfactory completion of the degree requirements. The
supervisor should discuss the reasons with the student and the supervisory
committee and provide a written statement of the reasons to the student
and to the graduate program director. The director should meet with the
student and the supervisory committee to review the request and to
facilitate its resolution.
The Graduate Student’s role and responsibilities:
1. Be prepared to devote the required time and energy needed to engage
successfully in graduate work and research.
2. Maintain registration throughout the program and ensure that, where
required, visas and employment authorization documents are kept up to
date.
3. Inform the Program of any limitations or commitments that could
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jeopardize successful completion of the degree requirements. They should
indicate any restrictions related to financial status or time available for
completion of the program.
4. Choose a topic of research acceptable to their supervisor and produce a
thesis/dissertation or major research paper which is essentially their own
work, and which meets the School of Graduate Studies standards for style
and quality.
5. Formulate with their supervisor, early on in program, a plan of study for
completion of degree requirements and thesis work, with clear timelines
and benchmarks denoting progress. Students should maintain open
communication and seek feedback with their supervisor on all issues,
including supervisory practices.
6. Show through their research, a capacity for independent scholarship,
indicating an approach to their selected problem that reflects graduatelevel expectations. Research should be presented in clear and precise
language.
7. Be aware of the University regulations concerning academic integrity and
professionalism, and acknowledge assistance, materials and/or data
provided by other scholars, including fellow students or technicians.
8. Recognize that the supervisor and members of the supervisory committee
have a spectrum of educational and research obligations which may
result in delays in responding to the graduate student.
9. Maintain a regular work schedule and communications with their
supervisor (or designate); must meet with the supervisory committee in
accordance with program requirements; must understand and adhere to
the University regulations concerning full time status (where applicable);
and they must keep their supervisor and program informed of how they
may be contacted.
10. Give serious consideration to the advice and criticisms provided by his/her
supervisor or members of his/her supervisory committee.
11. Have awareness of the regulations and standards for academic
performance, including theses/dissertations, in their own program.
12. Must comply with all ethical policies and procedures governing human or
animal research, where applicable.
13. Make requests for comments from their supervisor on work which has been
carried out under his/her supervision and which is intended for publication
during or after completion of the degree. A graduate student retains
authorship, singly or jointly as appropriate, to his/her research (recognizing
the timely nature of the research and the importance of rapid
publication) and must receive credit for significant contributions to other
research.
14. Acknowledge the intellectual property (IP) of a supervisor or others which
may be included in a thesis or major research paper. If student research is
incorporated or utilized in other related research projects under the
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supervisor's direction, you should ascertain your intellectual property rights
and receive scholarly credit for your contributions. Students are urged to
be familiar with Trent’s guidelines on IP for graduate students, see
http://www.trentu.ca/research/ip.php.
15. Inform the Program Director, in a timely fashion, of any serious difficulties
which may arise in supervision. These might include major professional
academic disagreements, interpersonal conflicts, or potential conflict of
interest situations.
16. May request a change of supervisor if they feel that they cannot
complete the degree requirements under current supervision, or if they
wish to pursue another area of research. In such circumstances, the
student should discuss the reasons with the supervisor and the supervisory
committee and provide a written statement of the reasons to the
supervisor and to the Program Director. The Program Director should meet
with the student and the supervisory committee to facilitate a resolution of
this request.
17. Graduate students have the right to lodge an appeal as in the Appeals
Section of the Graduate Calendar: http://www.trentu.ca/calendar/
The Supervisory Committee’s role and responsibilities:
1. The supervisory committee should be established by the director of the
program in consultation with the potential supervisor(s) and in
accordance with the graduate program guidelines.
2. Provides additional guidance and advice on the student’s research,
complementing the expertise of the supervisor.
3. Be reasonably accessible to the student for consultation and discussion of
the student's academic progress and research problems.
4. Helps develop a "Program of Study" with the student, identifies potential
problems that may arise, and offers advice on addressing them.
5. Meet, at least once each year, to review the student's research and their
progress.
6. Offer input to the supervisor when they write the student’s annual
progress report.
7. Read and comment on drafts of written material in a timely manner and
indicate when a major paper is complete or a thesis is ready for
examination.
Graduate programs role and responsibilities:
1. Inform prospective students of the graduate faculty members willing to
supervise their research and the areas of research that professors are
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prepared to supervise. Usually students can request a supervisor of his/her
choice.
2. Ensure each new graduate student understands their financial support,
teaching requirements, and research support listed in their letter of offer.
3. Ensure each new graduate student has an identified supervisor (or interim
supervisor/program consultant) as soon as possible after starting the
program. The program should also ensure that the supervisory committee
is in place at the appropriate point in time. If a supervisor of studies is not
identified at the time of acceptance, the student should be made aware
of the process for assignment of a supervisor.
4. Assign an alternate supervisor if the regular supervisor either departs or is
absent for an extended period.
5. Alert students to program-specific policies and notification of any
changes.
6. Assess each student’s academic and research progress, annually. This
review would include comment on course work, comprehensive
examinations, research and thesis/ dissertation progress. The review should
provide feedback, including any areas of concern, and assessment of
progress toward completion.
7. Maintain a scholarly, respectful atmosphere, and encouraging
communication between students and supervisors on all issues.
8. Indicate how students can obtain assistance or address concerns about
supervision, and informing them about the nature and process of appeals.
9. Require faculty to list the evaluation criteria for all academic work when it
commences.
10. Balance the number of students each supervisor has in order to ensure
students receive adequate attention and supervision.
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