Results from the Maclean's 2005 rankings of Canadian universities have placed Trent University first among Ontario's primarily undergraduate universities and first in the nation for spending on scholarships and bursaries.
proportion of international students in first year (ranked ninth – up from 15 last year)Dr. Susan Apostle-Clark, vice president (academic) and provost, was pleased that the results of the survey confirmed the University's nationally-recognized strengths in research. "In the medical/science research category, our faculty placed second in the national rankings. Thanks to faculty who are highly active in both their research and teaching in the humanities, social sciences and sciences, Trent is becoming increasingly well known for this unique combination of strengths," said Prof. Apostle-Clark. Today's results come fresh on the heels of last week's ranking published by Research InfoSource that, for the third year in a row, named Trent University Research University of the Year among primarily undergraduate institutions in Canada and the Globe and Mail's University Report Card, which gave Trent an "A" grade for overall educational experience.
While Trent maintained its Maclean's ranking among the top ten primarily undergraduate universities in Canada at eighth place, vice president Apostle-Clark also acknowledged that the flow-through of Ontario's double cohort had a considerable impact on operational costs and some performance indicators. "We are extremely pleased to place first among all primarily undergraduate universities in Ontario, despite the surge in our enrolment numbers, the quality of the academic learning experience remains unyielding, as evidenced by the fact that more than eight out of every ten first year classes are taught by tenured faculty," she said.
Traditionally noted in the survey's results is Trent's performance in maintaining small class sizes. Trent continues to remain a leader in the rankings in the province of Ontario for limiting class sizes in first and second year classes, ranking fifth in the nation despite funding pressures over the past several years. "We remain optimistic that the $6.2 billion in government funding announced by the province last spring will help Trent to continually improve the student learning experience by investing in more faculty, teaching and classroom support and improved student services," said Prof. Apostle-Clark.
In the important category of student retention, Trent's ranking moved up from ninth to second. "This indicator is a positive reflection of the value-add that a liberal arts and science University can provide for its incoming students, assisting them in the transition from high school to university with the aim of helping students succeed in their individual studies and overall goals," said Prof. Apostle-Clark.
In addition to supporting students through high quality student services, the University provides extensive financial aid packages, spending over $7.7 million annually in scholarships and bursaries. Vice president Apostle-Clark noted the University's record investments in scholarships and bursaries are contributing to making university education accessible to more students. "I am proud that the Maclean's survey has once again acknowledged our first place ranking in this category and how Trent University is making access to university education a reality for qualified students who demonstrate financial need." The Maclean's ranking is one of many sources prospective students use when choosing a university.
Trent University is the province's top-ranked undergraduate university known for its commitment to a liberal arts and sciences education through excellence in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Within a collegial setting, the University offers traditional and interdisciplinary degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels as well as increasingly popular professional programs. Spanning the picturesque Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Trent's Symons campus features award-winning architecture designed to complement its natural setting. The University serves over 8,000 full and part-time students in Peterborough and Oshawa.
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For more information, please contact:
Susan Clark, vice president (academic) and provost, Trent University
(705) 748-1011 ext. 1694.
