Just before 4:00 PM yesterday, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees made a motion to move forward with the idea of unifying its 4-year institutions—Northern Vermont University, Castleton University, and Vermont Technical College. In the proposal that was approved unanimously by the trustees, the Community College of Vermont would remain a separate entity within the system. The new model for the system is currently expected to be fully implemented on July 1, 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The proposal to unify the universities and colleges, aside from CCV, came from the state’s Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education in Vermont, which was organized by Governor Phil Scott to examine how the system could transform itself to be more sustainable. Chancellor Sophie Zdatny says the model is based on three concepts; student success, lasting educational value, and maintaining the “Vermont” image.
Student Trustee Ryan Cooney is excited to be bringing teams across the campuses together to pool resources and knowledge for the benefit of students and faculty, “along with better integration of classes.” Some of the proposed methods to boost student success include increasing pathways from CCV to “high-demand baccalaureate programs,” creating easy access to courses across the new university, and decentralizing delivery of popular programs.
“I think we’re really going to see the liberal arts education continue to soar along with the technical expertise that Vermont Tech specifically provides.” -Ryan Cooney, VSCS Student Trustee
Research for this consolidation has already begun, as is evident by the proposal itself. As the research continues and begins to take effect, however, Cooney believes that the first impact campuses are going to see are the combined efforts of administrative-type functions like I.T., Admissions, and Financial Aid. “Obviously, there’s going to be other work going on during that time, but that sort of stuff is more going to be behind-the-scenes and day-to-day. These are offices our students are actually interacting with a lot more regularly, [so they will experience this change],” he told The Critic.
When asked how the consolidation of offices would effect student jobs like Admissions’ ambassadors, Cooney, a beneficiary of work study opportunities himself, said “[I] would be in support of continuing to maintain a presence of students who are knowledgeable about the local area and their specific campus. I think that would be a fantastic resource, so to lose that would, of course, be a great devaluation to the future institution.” Still, the Student Trustee is in favor of consolidation of administrations and career professionals in those areas.
One of the most important takeaways that Cooney wants to make sure the student body takes away from the upcoming merge conversations is that a physical presence will be maintained on each campus at some capacity. “The important thing right off the bat is campuses are not closing.” Unlike former Chancellor Jeb Spaulding’s plan, the economic impact of the system’s campuses in their communities are recognized. The campuses will be evaluated for any buildings that could be repurposed, but in the end, there will be collegiate learning in Williston, Randolph, Johnson, Lyndonville, and Castleton.
This newly proposed institution does not yet have a name. While some names have been tossed around and the initials “VSU” used in Chancellor Zdatny’s PowerPoint to the board, Cooney says “We haven’t come to any sort of agreement or discussion on what a name would be.”
There has also been concern among out-of-state students about the marketing strategy moving forward. The Vermont State Colleges System’s mission statement focuses on serving Vermont residents, however, Cooney would like to reaffirm that “we do recognize at the Board level and at the Presidents’ level, and really at every level in the faculty, the importance of our out-of-state students.” Cooney continued to say that while these types of students are great for revenue purposes, many decide to stay and work in the state, which serves to benefit the state of Vermont.
Public input will continue to be sought throughout the process. One of the first sessions of that input is scheduled for next Wednesday, March 3, from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM. At this time, there will be a VSCSA Student Forum. Chancellor Zdatny, the Board of Trustees, and the VSC Student Governments are scheduled to be in attendance to address the concerns of the greater student body. All students are encouraged to join the forum and have their questions answered.
Feature Photo || The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move toward a unified 4-year university model over a Zoom call Monday afternoon.