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.