As part of the Vermont State Colleges system transformation, key administrative services have come together in a shared service organization. The shared service model has been implemented for Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology. A shared service organization is a way of providing administrative and technical services across multiple institutions or units in a way that optimizes quality, consistency, and efficiency. It allows the institutions to focus on their primary mission while still receiving the administrative help they need. VSCS Shared Services came together under consolidated leadership to provide high-quality and consistent service to the Community College of Vermont, Vermont State University, and the Chancellor’s Office. Many of the employees remain on the campuses where they work, and they support students, faculty, and staff across the system.
VSCS Shared Services Directory
Information Technology Shared Services Website
Defining Shared Services for the VSCS
The following definition was approved by the Board of Trustees on May 16, 2022.
A way of providing administrative and technical services across multiple units in a way that optimizes quality, consistency, and efficiency and allows the units to focus on their primary mission.
- Accountable to the organizations it serves (Council of Presidents, Advisory Board, other shared service units)
- Distinct from the “central office” – services and support provided by employees distributed across the state.
- Able to gain economies of scale and more specialized knowledge and capacity in specific technical functions.
- Focuses on the processes, systems, and data needed to ensure the intended outcomes –consistent where possible, but unique as required.
- Shared accountability and measures between the functional leaders and the shared service organization (Service Level Agreements – SLAs).
- Customers include students, faculty, and staff and are addressed with a service mentality.