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The Audio-Visual Department was an academic support department set up to provide audio visual equipment, projectionists, other technical services and a media library service to the University community. Audio-Visual activities were divided into four distinct categories: distribution of audio visual equipment; film/video bookings - media library; language laboratory operations; and audio-visual productions. The Audio-Visual Department fells within the umbrella of the Library, and was directed administratively by the Head Librarian.

From 1966 to 1973, John Leishman was Controller and, from 1971, also Vice-President (Finance). The office was split in 1973 and there was a Vice-President (Finance) and a Controller (Peter Lewis). John Earnshaw became Vice-President (Administration and Finance) in 1981 as John Leishman moved to the position of Executive Vice-President (External Relations and Financial Affairs). John Earnshaw held the office until August 1991. Nancy Sullivan became Vice-President (Finance and Administration), 1991-1994. For further information about the office and its leadership over the years, see A.O.C. Cole, Trent: The Making of a University, pp. 126-129; D'Arcy Jenish, Trent University: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, 2014; and the annual course calendars (available in the Archives Reading Room).

The Frost Centre for Canadian Heritage and Development Studies was established to promote interdisciplinary research on many aspects of Canadian society. The first class of graduate students was enrolled in 1985 in the interdisciplinary MA program. The program was first introduced under the name Canadian Heritage and Connectional Studies. The first Chair was Prof. Sandy Lockhart of the Sociology Department. The next Chair was Robert Page (1985-1986), then Bruce Hodgins, John Marsh, and, in 1996, John Wadland, in 2000 Joan Sangster, in 2006 Jim Struthers, in 2009 Julia Harrison, etc. The department has undergone name changes. For further information about the department and its administration, see A.O.C. Cole, Trent: The Making of a University, pp. 126-129; D'Arcy Jenish, Trent University: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, 2014; and the annual course calendars (available in the Archives Reading Room).

In 1966 and 1967, there was both a Dean of Arts and a Dean of Science. In 1967, Professor Thomas Nind became Dean of Arts and Science and, in concert with a number of Associate Deans, this position has existed until the present, sometimes under the name Dean and Provost. In 1996 the responsibilities of the Provost and Dean of Arts and Science were divided between Vice-President Academic and Dean of Arts and Science. The office of the Dean of Arts and Science has been filled by the following incumbents: Thomas Nind, Walter Pitman, David Cameron, George Hamilton, David Gallop, David Morrison, Robert Campbell, John Syrett (acting), Colin Taylor, etc. For further information about the unit and its leadership, see A.O.C. Cole, Trent: The Making of a University, pp. 126-129; D'Arcy Jenish, Trent University: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, 2014; and the course calendars (available in the Archives Reading Room).

The Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples is an association of natives and non-natives in support of natives. It was originally established in 1957 under the name of the National Commission on the Indian Canadian and was a non-native organization created to study the "Indian problem". The first chairman of the Commission was Mrs. W.H. Clark. By February 1958 it had become apparent that the problems of the native peoples were much more complex than first anticipated, and it was decided to involve aboriginal peoples in the Commission to help find viable solutions. In 1960, the Indian-Eskimo Association was incorporated, with Mrs. Clark as the first president. The I.E.A. had several functions which included encouraging native leaders to form organizations, fund-raising, organizing workshops to discuss native housing, community and economic development, and providing advice and support in legal matters. Also, provincial and regional divisions were created to help deal with specific native issues, not just native problems on a general level. By 1968, several national and provincial native organizations had been organized. In September of the same year, leaders of the native organizations met with representatives of the I.E.A. to discuss the future role of the Association. It was agreed that the native organizations still needed the I.E.A.'s support, but that they should begin to deal directly with governments, without the I.E.A. acting as the middleman. It was clear that the future of the I.E.A. was to provide only support and advice to the developing native organizations. In 1972, many of the recommendations made in 1968 had come into effect. The name was changed to the Canadian Association in Support of Native Peoples to reflect the new functions of the Association more accurately. At this time, regional offices of the Association were closed, and the head office moved from Toronto to Ottawa. The Association dissolved in 2015.

The Society of Camp Directors was founded May 21, 1969, after a long gestation period, from about 1957, when the subject was first broached in the Ontario Camping Association. Members of the OCA who were camp directors were instrumental in the formation of the new society.

Otonabee College was officially opened on the west bank of the Symons Campus, Trent University, in 1973. Masters have been Robert Carter, Gary Aitken, Elwood Jones, Finn Gallagher, Gordon Johnston, Robert Annett, Ivana Elbl, and others. For further information about the College and its administration, see A.O.C. Cole, Trent: The Making of a University, pp. 126-129; D'Arcy Jenish, Trent University: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, 2014; and the annual course calendars (available in the Archives Reading Room).

The Committee on Colleges serves as one of the central means of coordinating the activities and policies of the colleges and the University. It serves a dual purpose, reporting to Senate on academic matters, and to the President, in an advisory capacity regarding buildings and finance. It is composed of heads of colleges and representatives from dining services, student health services and athletic services committees. The Committee is also concerned with off-campus housing, the supervisory system, selection of college heads, telephone directories, dining hall services, pub policies, college admissions, etc.

Peter Gzowski College, named after Canadian broadcaster/journalist and former Trent Chancellor Peter Gzowski, opened to students in 2004 on the Symons Campus. Gzowski College, is housed in Enweyaang, a building located on the East side of the Otonabee River.

Trent University was the first post-secondary Canadian institution to establish a well-defined Department of Native Studies. The Department was established in 1972, although an earlier effort, the “Indian and Eskimo Studies Program,” had been underway since 1969.

Carrying Place is a narrow isthmus separating Weller's Bay and the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. Carrying Place also connects Prince Edward County to the mainland. It is located 5 miles south of Trenton. Carrying Place was so named due to its location. It is situated at a point where the First Nations and early settlers travelling by water had to portage to get from the Bay of Quinte to Lake Ontario. One of the first people to settle permanently in Carrying Place was Asa Weller in 1783. Robert Young, believed to the the second settler, received a land grant in 1792. Two other prominent families who helped to settle Carrying Place were the Wilkins and the Biggars. Some of these founding families' descendants still live in Carrying Place today. The first Church, St. John's Anglican, was built in 1811, and the first schoolhouse was opened in 1852. Unfortunately, Carrying Place never became the big city as was envisioned by the founding fathers.

The first archivist was Pat Johnston. She was succeeded by Ken Johnson who was archivist until 1982. Bernadine Dodge was first appointed Acting University Archivist in 1982 and then University Archivist the next year. She retired in 2009. At various times between 2009 and 2022 Janice Millard served as Curator and Jodi Aoki as Archivist and University Archivist. Janice Millard retired in 2015 and Jodi Aoki in 2022.

Julian Blackburn College was established in 1975 to facilitate part-time studies at Trent University. It was officially opened on October 24, 1975 in a ceremony held in the Wenjack Theatre. JBC was named in honour of the late Professor Julian Blackburn who provided counsel and advice in the planning of Trent University, and in its formative years contributed greatly to the development of a program of part-time studies.

Director of Part-time Studies: 1967-1968 Walter Pitman (acting). 1968-1974 Hal Hooke, Principal of Julian Blackburn College: 1976-1977 Hal Hooke, 1977-1978 Erica Pipher, acting), 1978-1981 Erica Pipher, 2009-current Robin Lathangue.

Vice-Principal and Director of Off Campus Courses: 1976 Erica Pipher

Vice-Dean Arts and Science and Principal of Julian Blackburn College : 1981-1985 Lionel Rubinoff

Associate Dean and Director of Julian Blackburn Centre for Continuing Education: 1985-1986 Michael Treadwell (acting), 1986-1988 Michael Treadwell, 1988-1990 George Nader.

Associate Dean of Arts and Science and Principal of Julian Blackburn College: 1990-1994 George Nader, 1994-1996 John Syrett, 1996-1998 Jackie Tinson (acting), 1998-1999 Murray Genoe (acting), 1999-2002 Beth Popham.

Associate Dean of Arts and Science (Continuing Education and Part-Time Studies) / Principal, Julian Blackburn College : 2002-2009 Murray Genoe; 2009-2011 Robin Lathangue, and others. 

For further information about part-time studies, its governing bodies, its relationship to Trent's Durham GTA campus, and its administration, see A.O.C. Cole, Trent: The Making of a University, pp. 126-129; D'Arcy Jenish, Trent University: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence, 2014; RG2; and the course calendars (available in the Archives Reading Room).

The first normal school for the training of elementary school teachers opened in Toronto in 1847. In 1850 a system of township model schools was established. They were specially designated elementary schools where teachers or potential teachers could observe existing practice under supervision. The successful candidates received Third Class Certificates valid for three years. In 1880 there were forty-seven model schools. Candidates were awarded First or Second Class Certificates after attendance at normal school. At times there were two year courses at normal schools. Model schools were abolished in 1924 and with them the Third Class Certificate. In 1936 the Second Class Certificate was discontinued except at the Ottawa Normal School. In 1874 the Ottawa Normal School was established and in 1900 the London Normal School. In 1908 normal schools were opened in Hamilton, Peterborough, and Stratford. Peterborough Normal School was officially opened on September 15, 1908 and operated until the late 1960's. Several hundred teachers were trained there over the years of operation. The first principal was Duncan Walker. In 1973 the Peterborough Teachers' College (formerly the Peterborough Normal School) closed its doors and the staff moved to the Faculty of Education, Queen's University.

Camp Wangoma was an overnight camp operated by East York YMCA and the Toronto Y Camping Services from 1956-1973. The Camp operated in the Madawaska Highlands thirty minutes east of Bancroft, just south of McArthur’s Mills on the north end of Wanamaker Lake. The history of the camp started in 1919 with Sunfish Camp on Sunfish Island run by Toronto Central YMCA. Due to the building of the Island Airport on Hanlan’s Point the residents of Hanlan's Point were moved to Sunfish Island (Olympic Island) in 1934. Sunfish Camp moved to a site south of Barrie on west side of Lake Simcoe operated by East York YMCA.

Due to the growth of the population on Lake Simcoe, the Y decided to move the Camp in 1955 to a former Private Camp on Lake Catchacoma. They rented the Camp for 1955 and the Camp was called Camp Woapka. The East York Y Camp Committee found during that time the site for Camp Wangoma which is the present day, Cedar Ridge Camp. The Camp started in 1956 and ran until 1973. As an Outdoor Education Centre, it ran from 1974-1978.

The Camp was sold in 1980 to the Pentecostal Church in Bancroft affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada). They ran Nature Land Bible Camp. In December 2005, the Bible Camp was sold to today’s owners of Cedar Ridge Camp which has been in operation for sixteen years.

The Inter-American Networking for Studies and Training in Natural Resources Usage for Community Transformation (INSTRUCT Programme) was a Trent University led, CIDA supported project that was active from 1997-2003. INSTRUCT involved stakeholders from Ecuador, Mexico, and Canada.

INSTRUCT provided countries in Latin America with environmental training to clean up degraded watersheds. The two watersheds that were part of INSTRUCT’s project were in Rio Texcoco, Mexico and Lago San Pablo, Ecuador.

INSTRUCT’s main objective was to use the framework of Integrated Ecosystem Management (IEM) to promote and enhance positive relationships between local institutions and communities and their natural environment and resources.

Dr. Chris Metcalfe and Dr. David Morrison of Trent University directed the program and Linda Slavin was the Programme Manager. There were also opportunities for graduate students from the academic institutions involved in INSTRUCT to perform fieldwork in Mexico and Ecuador. There were also seminars and workshops that took place at Trent University. One of the workshops was called “Practical Ways of Sharing Equity” and one of the seminars was called “Roots of our Future”.

Other Canadian organizations involved in INSTRUCT included the University of New Brunswick, Guelph University, Kawartha World Issues Centre, Horizons of Friendship, Sir Sandford Fleming College, Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Latin American organizations involved in the project included la Corporación para la Defensa del Lago San Pablo, El Centro de Estudios Pluriculturales, El Centro Panamericano es Estudios y Investigaciones Geográficas, la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador, University of Chapingo, el Colegio Postgraduados and the INSTRUCT Mexico office.

The Church of England (Anglican Church) established the Diocese of Moosonee on December 15, 1872. Right Reverend John Horden was appointed the first Bishop of the diocese on the same date. Albany Parish is located north of Moose Factory on James Bay. Reverend Thomas Vincent, ordained in 1860, was sent to Albany, from Moose Factory, shortly after his ordination, and he was the first Anglican priest to settle in the area. In 1883, he was made Archdeacon of Moosonee in recognition of his faithfulness and experience. Archdeacon Vincent retired in 1899 and died in 1907.

The Trent University Computer Services Committee was originally established as a Presidential Advisory Committee in 1968. The members of the Committee were Professor Tyson (Chair), Professor Barret (Secretary), Professor Earnshaw, Mr. Lewis, Professor Stanford, Mr. Weinzweig, Mr. Pollock, and Professor Carter. By 1971, the committee had become a Standing Committee of the Senate with a mandate to ensure that faculty members were provided with access to a modern, high-speed computer, which was considered a basic requirement of research in many fields; to provide basic instruction in computer programming and in the capabilities and limitations of computers; and, to ensure that sufficient facilities were provided so that the computer could be regarded as a part of the average student's computational apparatus.

The Committee on Colleges originated with a report entitled "Trent University. The Report of the Committee on Colleges" on April 15, 1964. In the report student life based on social and academic activities within a college setting were recommended. The Committee felt that the colleges should provide an interactive atmosphere of interdiscplinary, social, international and cultural lifestyles in order for residential and non-residential students to acquire the most positive experience possible from college affiliation and life on campus. The Committee wanted to encourage a healthy rivalry between colleges which would benefit both scholarship and undergraduate activities. This would be done by having the colleges within walking distance of one another so that all undergraduates could participate in activities together. The college system would involve faculty and students living and working together by being teaching colleges. Instead of having classes and residences separate, the university would offer lectures, tutorials and seminars in the colleges. In the report the Committee made recommendations as to the size and style of residential rooms needed and the size and style of furniture required. The report also specifies different room requirements such as junior and senior commons rooms, the college library, dining hall, tutorial offices, seminar rooms, lecture rooms, visitor's rooms, don's rooms, master's lodge, administrative offices and a Porter's lodge. The Committee continues to meet as one of the central means of coordinating the activities and policies of the colleges and the university. The Committee now serves a dual purpose to the Senate, on academic matters, and to the President, in an advisory capacity regarding buildings and finance. Members on the Committee are heads of colleges and representatives from dining services, health services, student health services and athletic services committees. The Committee has evolved to take under consideration off-campus housing, the supervisory system, selection of college heads, telephone directories, dining hall services, pub policies and college admissions besides many more concerns.

The Committee on Colleges served as one of the central means of coordinating the activities and policies of the colleges and the University. It served a dual purpose, reporting to Senate on academic matters, and to the President, in an advisory capacity regarding buildings and finance. It is composed of heads of colleges and representatives from dining services, student health services and athletic services committees. The Committee was also concerned with off-campus housing, the supervisory system, selection of college heads, telephone directories, dining hall services, pub policies, college admissions, etc.

The Trent Student Union (TSU) was created in 1972. The objectives of the Union were to "...represent the interests of the students to the administration of the University; to give recognition and financial support to student clubs, organizations, and societies within the University; to study the academic and physical growth or decline of the University and to make suitable recommendations to the appropriate bodies; to represent the TSU to other student governments, to the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, and to other organizations outside the University; and to foster in students an awareness of community, provincial, national and international issues and to promote action in relation to these issues." The TSU executive was composed of one elected representative from each college and the remaining members were elected by the general membership of the TSU. It was comprised of 13 members in total: Chairperson, Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Commissioner for External Affairs, Commissioner of Finance, Commissioner for Academic Affairs, the Recorder, five College representatives, and two TSU senators. (Taken from the TSU Constitution). In 1995 the TSU ceased to exist. Students voted in the Trent Central Student Government (TCSG). During the application of Incorporation as a non-profit corporation the new TCSG was informed that they could not be a government and therefore a new name was chosen. The new name was the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) and the TCSA is now responsible as the representative of the students of Trent University.

The position of Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Officer was created in the (approximately) 1968-69 academic year. Previous to this time, the small number of graduate students at Trent University were looked after by the Registrar's Office. The Senate search committee responsible for hiring a Dean of Graduate Studies and University Research Officer. Since 1985, the Associate Dean of Arts and Science has been responsible for the position of Dean of Graduate Studies and University Research Officer.

The Presidential Review Committee was created in the spring of 1983 at the instigation of President Donald Theall. It was formed with four board members, two faculty and two students giving it a structure of eight people. The committee was formed to assess a renewal of contract with the President. (Taken from: Cole, A.O.C. "Trent : The Making of a University 1957-1987." Trent University, 1992.)

The Trent-Fleming Trail Studies Unit (TSU) was started in 1992 to address a lack of research into trails. TSU was a joint initiative between Sir Sanford Fleming College and Trent University. TSU was directed by Professor John Marsh of Trent University and Dr. Al McPherson of Sir Sanford Fleming College. TSU was in operation from 1992-2022 and held 3400 publications regarding national and international trails in their library. TSU also engaged in research projects, conferences, committees, and public education on trails.

The aims of TSU included:

• Conduct research on trails, trail use, trail management, trail interpretation, trail impact.
• Offer courses relating to the development, planning, management and interpretation of trails.
• Develop interpretation materials and services and services relating to trails
• Assemble documentation on trails, trail studies, trail interpretation, and produce bibliographies relating to trails.

Throughout its tenure, TSU hosted conferences, created local guides on trails, consulted on trail-related projects on a national and international level, led numerous research projects, and supported student research via graduate theses, and undergraduate course work and honours theses.