Trent University

University policies

Trent University’s Vision Statement commits to creating “vibrant, engaged and sustainable communities of learning, teaching and research committed to free enquiry and expression.”

Trent University passed a Free Speech Policy in November 2018 which states:

Trent University’s vision statement commits it to the creation of "vibrant, engaged and sustainable communities of learning, teaching and research committed to free enquiry and expression." In keeping with this, the Members of Trent University (faculty, staff and students) have the right to freely examine, investigate, speculate upon, debate and comment on issues and ideas including the right to criticize popular points of view and society at large. Trent University views engagement with difficult and controversial ideas to be an essential part of the education (and research, which we consider a form of education) we provide. In view of this, Trent is committed to open discussion and free inquiry and does not attempt to insulate its students, nor its faculty, from ideas or opinions that they disagree with or find offensive. The right to free expression is a necessary precondition for the University to accomplish its essential purpose: the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge, the testing of new ideas and the advancement of learning. While members of the University are free to criticize and contest the views of others, their right to free speech does not include the right to obstruct or interfere with the freedom of others to express their views. The right to free speech does impose accompanying responsibilities. Such responsibilities include respecting privacy and confidentiality as required by the law and University operations; respecting faculty and adhering to course content; and a commitment to adhere to professional academic standards. This policy does not excuse hate speech, defamation, slander, or actions or speaking which is not compliant with the Human Rights Code; the Criminal Code of Canada; provincial regulations and Trent University’s Violence and Harassment policy. Trent reserves the right to deny access or remove persons who act in ways that compromise others’ rights to safety and security. The University may reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University. As a University, Trent is committed to an environment that embraces viewpoint diversity. It aims to support its students and faculty achieve their full potential by facilitating the expression of their diverse perspectives.

Trent University’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy has a section on “Academic Freedom:”

Academic freedom is a fundamental tenet of University life and is a condition of employment expressly extended to academic employee groups pursuant to the terms of  their respective collective agreements. Academic freedom includes the right to question and challenge traditional norms, and the freedom to define research questions, to pursue answers to those questions by way of unrestricted but proper investigative techniques and to disseminate the knowledge gained to students, academic colleagues and society as a whole. Academic freedom does not require neutrality on the part of the individual.  Rather, academic freedom makes commitment possible.  Academic freedom carries with it the duty  to use that freedom in a manner consistent with the scholarly obligation to base research and teaching on an honest search for knowledge. The exercise of academic freedom may  challenge and/or offend the ideas, sensibilities and beliefs of others.  However, academic  freedom does not confer immunity from the terms of this Policy.

Section D of the Residence Guide states that “all postings must be written and displayed in a manner that is respectful, does not discriminate and does not use offensive language, including language that violates Trent University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment.”

Policies governing bookings of the display case at Trent's Bata Library state:

The Trent University Library is committed to academic freedom – no censorship of exhibit material will be imposed by the Library.  If there is concern over the subject matter of a display, it is advised you contact the university group mounting the displays and not the Library.

The Student Charter of Rights and Responsibilities prohibits disruptive behaviour.

Trent’s Centre for Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility deals principally with harassment complaints and accessibility issues.

University practices

After Trent University’s student union denied club status to a proposed campus pro-life group on ideological grounds in January of 2013, the University effectively upheld and implemented that decision for the remainder of the school year.  From February of 2013 onwards, Trent University insisted that Trent Lifeline could only be registered as a campus club if it agreed to “develop a mutually satisfactory risk management plan with the University and the TCSA [student union]” that would “give individuals the choice regarding being exposed to potentially disturbing material.”  No such demand or requirement has ever been placed on other organizations, such as the Centre for Gender and Social Justice (“dedicated to facilitating a politics of resistance” and “the affirmation of action and resistance based on cultural identity, including and not limited to indigenous action, black consciousness, and Palestinian solidarity movements, as well as a consciousness of one’s identity and history as oppressor and oppressed.”).

Trent University administration played a role in negotiating the reinstatement of Trent Lifeline's status in February of 2014.  Trent University's Associate Vice President of Students, Nona Robinson, said to the campus newspaper Arthur:

In effect, different opinions, values, and beliefs will always be with us, but it is engaging civilly that leads to dialogue. The issues that Lifeline is involved with, such as abortion and euthanasia, are critically important to many people, so it is understandable that the club’s activities have the potential to be provocative if the issues aren’t handled with respect.

Trent failed to defend the rights of one of its student groups when it was denied space for a free speech wall event by the Trent Central Students’ Association (TCSA) in 2012.

Student union policies

One of the fundamental “Principles” upheld by the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), as per the By-Laws, Policies and Operating Resolutions 2020-2021 document, is “Free speech and effective communication of all opinions in the University community.”

The “Privileges and Responsibilities of Clubs” section of the By-Laws, Policies and Operating Resolutions 2020-2021 document reads:

Clubs that support, or denounce, any political party shall be prohibited from accessing clubs funding, printing services, the button maker & using the Association’s tent for its own events...Furthermore, a club must be inclusive and nondiscriminatory in accordance with Trent University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment. 

Staff and elected officials of the TCSA are mandated to take ideological training programs, as per the section on “Discrimination, Harassment, and Oppression”:

The Association shall require that its directors and staff receive training on issues of power and oppression, Trent University’s policy on Harassment and Discrimination and related human rights issues, to be offered at the Association’s expense. This training shall normally be offered in conjunction with Orientation for new Directors. 

Under “Denial of Club Status”:

Prior to denying the recognition of a club, the Vice President Clubs & Groups shall report back to the Executive Committee where the denial of status will be considered. If there are concerns about a club's registration the group will be given the chance to clarify any questions or concerns. If needed, a meeting with the Vice President Clubs & Groups will be requested with the representative of the club. If official recognition of a club is denied, the Vice-President Clubs & Groups shall be responsible for providing a written explanation to the applicant. Reasons for denial of club status may vary.

TCSA By-Law 13, section XIII.2.2, “Elections”, empowers the Elections Committee to approve all campaign materials of each electoral candidate.

TCSA does not take official stances on issues outside its mandate.

Student union practices

The student group Trent Liberty planned to host a “Free Speech Wall” event at Trent during the fall of 2013.  The event involved raising a large whiteboard on campus and encouraging students to share their thoughts and opinions on the wall in an exercise of their free expression rights.  The event was to be sponsored by JCCF.  Upon applying for space with the Trent Central Students Association (TCSA) in August of 2013, however, Trent Liberty received a notice of rejection:

Thank you for you [sic] interest in working with the TCSA on a "Free Speech Wall".  However, this is an initiative that we have chosen not to support. Whereas we recognize that you are coming from a position of hoping to foster free inquiry and expression, similar initiatives at other campuses have gone very wrong.

At campuses across North America, "free speech walls" have opened up space for people to espouse hate speech. The goal to make the board "free from censorship" allows students to write hateful and discriminatory messages free from repercussion.

Moreover, it implies that these messages would not be removed from the wall, as this would be a form of "censorship". This can create an unsafe and inaccessible environment, particularly for students from minority groups. As a student union with an aim to foster an equitable and safe campus   environment, we cannot support an initiate that would allow students open space to espouse hate speech if they wish. We acknowledge that free speech does not inherently or necessarily equate to hate speech, but the potential cannot be ignored.

That said, Trent Liberty is free to pursue the initiative on its own. However, I would strongly encourage contacting the Office of Human Rights, Equity, and Accessibility and becoming acquainted with any relevant policies regarding hate speech, equity, and/or accessibility I would also encourage becoming acquainted with the University's postering policy.

Sincerely,

Tessa Nasca

Vice President Campaigns and Equity

Trent Central Student Association

In January 2013, a pro-life student group called “Trent Lifeline” applied for official recognition with the TCSA. Without recognition, student groups are not eligible for TCSA funding or resources, and are not permitted to attend Clubs and Groups day during Introductory Seminar Week.  Furthermore, using the University’s logo and name is not permitted if advertising on campus as an unrecognized student group.

On January 31, the club received an email from Vanessa Jones, Club & Group Coordinator, indicating that the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) had rejected Lifeline’s application to be an official club at Trent University.  Ms. Jones stated “[s]ince campaigning for pro life [sic] or pro choice [sic] is not allowed on campus… since there is [sic]so many opinions to this it can lead to a very exclusive group, while all groups at Trent must be inclusive[.]”

When representatives from Trent Lifeline asked for a specific policy to refer that justified the club’s rejection, the Club and Group Coordinator responded “I cannot send you a policy right now as there is one working under way [sic].”  Trent Lifeline was encouraged to appeal the decision, but the appeal process went through the same individuals and organization that rejected them in the first place; there is no independent process to review the decision.

Due to delays caused by having to appeal the denial of club status, Trent Lifeline was forced to cancel planned events to promote their cause.  One member of the Trent Lifeline executive stated:

Because of the appeal process, the club ran out of time in the school year to plan and host an event on campus. We were hoping to have a lecture and a viewing of the movie “It’s a Girl” before the end of the winter term (April). The club was focused on getting club status and responding to the student union’s demands/ requests for information, which continued well into April. By the time the club started talking about holding the events, exams were upon us, and we did not have sufficient time to properly organize the events.

A letter from Trent Lifeline’s legal counsel, JCCF president John Carpay, was sent to the President of the TCSA on February 6, 2014, calling for a reversal of the decision to reject Lifeline’s application, and explaining why and how the TCSA's conduct was illegal.

In February of 2014, the TCSA re-instated Trent Lifeline after months of deliberations between Lifeline members, TCSA and Trent University representatives.

In the 2018–19 financial year,* Trent University received $66,200,000 in taxpayer dollars in the form of government grants. These taxpayer funds accounted for 33.7% of their annual revenue.

*Trent University did not make their 2019–20 financial statements available by the time of publication of the 2020 Campus Freedom Index.