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Vermont State University

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"Vermont state" redirects here. For the U.S. state, see Vermont.
Vermont State University
TypePublic university
EstablishedJuly 1, 2023 (2023-07-01)
AccreditationNECHE
ChancellorSophia Zdatny
PresidentMike Smith (interim)
Students5,500
Location
Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston, Vermont
,
United States
CampusMultiple sites
Colors    Amaranth and cyan
Websitevermontstate.edu

Vermont State University (Vermont State or VTSU) is a public university in the state of Vermont formed through the merger of three institutions: Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. First proposed in December 2020 as a way to consolidate the Vermont State Colleges, the state's public university system, it is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.[1][2]

Vermont State University operates residential campuses in five communities: Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston.[3] In addition, VTSU operates nine smaller learning sites around the state and three out-of-state locations in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.[4]

History

Castleton University was chartered as grammar school in 1787, making it the oldest predecessor institution to Vermont State University.[5] Johnson Academy was founded in 1828, later becoming Johnson State College; Vermont Technical College was founded in 1806 as Orange County Grammar School; Lyndon State College was founded in 1911 as a normal school. The Vermont General Assembly created the Vermont State Colleges in 1961, creating a "loose confederation" of colleges that also included the Community College of Vermont after its founding in 1970 (but never included the University of Vermont).[6] Beginning in 1977, the Vermont State Colleges adopted a more centralized model, with its trustees overseeing the operations of all its constituent schools. This began to reverse somewhat beginning in 2000, when the system allowed more autonomy for the schools while still encouraging cooperation, including uniform course numbering so students could take courses from different VSC institutions.[7]

By 2020, however, the Vermont State Colleges were in poor financial shape. That year, Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding proposed closing Northern Vermont University, closing Vermont Technical College's Randolph campus, and laying off almost 500 employees.[8][9] Even with the proposal, Spaulding told trustees, the system needed an immediate infusion of $25 million to keep operating.[10] Spaulding withdrew the proposal amid fierce opposition and the state appropriated additional funds to keep all campuses and colleges operating, but lawmakers asked VSC to come up with a way to fix its financial situation.[11] VSC formed a committee, named the Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education, which ultimately recommended a similar proposal to Spaulding's closure plan. Instead of closing campuses, however, the committee recommended merging all three of the system's four-year colleges into a single institution with multiple campuses. While the committee did not recommend including the Community College of Vermont in the merger, it did recommend it focus more toward workforce education and adult learning.[12] The proposal was projected to save the system $25 million over five years.[13]

Two aspects of the original plans to merge proved controversial. First, the libraries were going to remove most of their physical books with most of their holdings only being virtual. Second, there were several planned changes to intercollegiate athletics. In particular, the athletic teams at the Johnson campus (previously part of Northern Vermont University), would leave the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Athletics teams at the Randolph campus (previously part of Vermont Technical College) would leave the USCAA. Students, faculty, and staff protested these planned changes and they drew national attention. Vermont state legislators introduced bills to prevent these changes. These changes were both paused in April 2023 when president Parwinder Grewal abruptly resigned.[14]

The combined institution included the roughly 5,500 students at its three predecessor institutions; however, the 250 academic programs offered between the three schools were reduced to 100.[15] Interim President Mike Smith announced an initiative in September 2023 to "examine our list of academic offerings" and consider combining or closing additional degree programs.[16]

Academics

Vermont State University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses offer liberal arts education while the Randolph and Williston locations house technical programs. Students have the option to take online courses as well as hybrid courses from other campuses.[17]

Athletics

Owing to the university's unique composition from a series of formerly independent colleges, four of its five campuses have their own athletics programs. Students are able to participate in athletics based on their campus, with some of the campuses competing against each other in athletic conferences.[18]

The original merger plans were that, starting in the 2024-25 academic year, athletics at the Johnson campus will become sanctioned by the USCAA, and athletics at the Randolph campus will move to a club-only model.[19] These plans were placed on hold in mid-April 2023 when the university president abruptly resigned.[14]

Campuses

Castleton

Woodruff Hall at Vermont State University - Castleton
Woodruff Hall at Vermont State University - Castleton campus

The 165-acre Castleton campus has been in its current location since 1818. The Castleton Medical College Building, built in 1818, is the oldest building on campus and is believed to be the oldest surviving medical school building in the United States. The campus is residential and is located in the heart of Castleton Village.

Johnson

The Johnson campus is located on a hill overlooking the Lamoille River valley. It is 350 acres and includes several buildings including the Visual Arts Center and Dibden Center for the Arts. The Babcock Nature Preserve, located ten miles away, is a 1,000 acre forest owned and maintained by the college for scientific and educational study.

Lyndon

Library and Learning Center at Vermont State University - Lyndon
Library and Learning Center at Vermont State University - Lyndon campus

The Lyndon campus is notable for the three-story Samuel Read Hall Library. Other sites on campus include News 7, a daily live broadcast studio; the Stannard Gymnasium; and nine residence halls. The Lyndon campus is one of only two institutions of higher education in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.[20]

Randolph

The campus in Randolph is the largest of the five at 544 acres and hosts engineering labs and an advanced manufacturing center.[4] The campus has received United States Department of Defense funding to establish the first advanced manufacturing education, research, and development facility in the state.[21]

Williston

The suburban Williston campus, located just outside Burlington, houses several labs and a small residential building.[4]

Leadership

Parwinder Grewal was appointed as the university's first president in 2022.[22] Grewal was previously an administrator at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, which had been created through a reorganization in the University of Texas System.[23]

However, Grewal resigned abruptly in 2023 before the university officially opened. His resignation was preceded by a vote of no confidence by the faculty, who also voted no confidence in the Vermont State College's chancellor, chief administrative officer, and its entire board of trustees.[24] He was replaced by Mike Smith, who previously served as interim president at Burlington College and was the state's Secretary of Human Services during the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] Smith created a task force to study additional programs that could be combined or closed.[16]

Smith agreed to serve for six months, with his tenure concluding at the end of October 2023. On September 22, 2023, David Bergh, a former administrator at Johnson State College and the final president at the now-closed Cazenovia College, was selected as the college's next interim president.[26]

References

  1. ^ Bakuli, Ethan. "Vermont State Colleges freezes tuition for next year, weighs future consolidation plans". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  2. ^ "Vermont State University granted accreditation". Rutland Herald. July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "3 Campuses Unite to Become Vermont State University | Inside Higher Ed". www.insidehighered.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  4. ^ a b c "Our Locations – Vermont State University". vermontstate.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  5. ^ "Our Campus". Castleton University. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  6. ^ "The Vermont State College System - update and what's next". Rotary Club of Essex, Vermont. 2015-10-14. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  7. ^ Seife, Ethan de. "Are Vermont State Colleges Still Fulfilling Their Mission?". Seven Days. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  8. ^ Duffort, Lola (2020-04-17). "Vermont State Colleges chancellor to recommend closing three campuses". VTDigger. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  9. ^ Sabataso, Jim (January 14, 2021). "Report Offers Another VSC Plan". Rutland Daily Herald. p. A3.
  10. ^ Duffort, Lola (2020-04-21). "Vermont State Colleges need $25 million now — even if three campuses close". VTDigger. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  11. ^ Bakuli, Ethan. "After backlash, Vermont State Colleges chancellor withdraws proposal to close three campuses". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  12. ^ Bakuli, Ethan (December 10, 2020). "VSC Will Freeze Tuition". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A, 9A.
  13. ^ "Three Vermont Schools Merge to Stay Afloat During Pandemic". The College Post. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  14. ^ a b D'Auria, Peter (April 14, 2023). "Vermont State University president Parwinder Grewal resigns as system pauses library changes". VTDigger. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Allen, Anne Wallace. "Parwinder Grewal Settles In as the First President of Vermont State University". Seven Days. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  16. ^ a b D'Auria, Peter (2023-09-20). "Vermont State University could consolidate, cut academic programs in 'optimization' process". VTDigger. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  17. ^ "FAQs – Vermont State University". vermontstate.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  18. ^ "Athletics at Vermont State University – Vermont State University". vermontstate.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  19. ^ D'Auria, Peter (2023-02-08). "Vermont State University community surprised, dismayed by library and athletics changes". VTDigger. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  20. ^ Trombly, Justin (2019-09-15). "NVU-Lyndon crowd brings the heat to Vermont State Colleges officials". VTDigger. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  21. ^ "Leahy Tours VTC Manufacturing Ctr". The White River Valley Herald. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  22. ^ Gagnon, Kyle. "Trustees appoint Dr. Parwinder Grewal to helm Vermont State University". Basement Medicine. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  23. ^ Serrano, Jody (2013-07-10). "UT Regents Approve Land Deal for New University". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  24. ^ Doton, Lily; Bellomo, Pearl (2023-04-16). "Mixed reactions to Grewal's resignation". Castleton Spartan. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  25. ^ McQuiston, Timothy. "Jack of all trades Mike Smith leads VTSU | Vermont Business Magazine". Vermont Business Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  26. ^ D'Auria, Peter (2023-09-22). "David Bergh to take over as Vermont State University interim president". VTDigger. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
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