On July 1, 2023, Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College will unify and become one university under a common accreditation with campuses throughout Vermont. As we look ahead to our new university, students will have greater access to:
- High-quality, comprehensive experiential education that prepares students for rewarding careers and active participation in their communities
- A broader and deeper range of courses, faculty, and student activities
- An even larger alumni network to tap into for inspiration and career success
Name Update
On September 29th, the Board of Trustees voted on the name of the new institution: Vermont State University.
The presentation of the name recommendation by VisionPoint Marketing to the Board of Trustees at their September 21st meeting is available here.
In the coming months, the transformation teams will present the first aspects of the brand identity, mission, and vision of Vermont State University to the Board of Trustees.
Chancellor’s Update
Every two weeks, Chancellor Sophie Zdatny sends a Transformation Update to the VSCS community. You may find those updates here:
October 11, 2021
September 27, 2021
September 13, 2021
August 30, 2021
August 16, 2021
August 2, 2021
July 20, 2021
July 5, 2021
June 21, 2021
June 7, 2021
May 24, 2021
May 10, 2021
April 26, 2021
April 12, 2021
Public Comments
As the VSCS moves forward with system transformation, updates will continue to be posted on this page.
Public Comments received by the Board of Trustees from September 21-29 regarding the name of Vermont State University are available here
If you would like to submit your thoughts regarding ongoing system transformation, please use this link.
Comments received before October 1st are available for viewing here.
Background Information
Act 120 of 2020 created the Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education in Vermont. The Select Committee was tasked with assisting the State of Vermont in addressing the urgent needs of the Vermont State Colleges and developing an integrated vision and plan for a high-quality, affordable, and workforce-connected future for public higher education in the State.
Using the Select Committee’s reports as a guide, the Vermont State Colleges System developed a project plan for system organization, governance, and operational model transformation that is fiscally sustainable and fulfills its mission of delivering an affordable, accessible, high quality, student-centered, workforce-relevant education for Vermonters in measured stages to be completed within five years.
A High-Level Plan for evaluation of Select Committee recommendations was approved at the December 17, 2020 Board of Trustees Executive Committee meeting.
VSCS Structural Transformation Preliminary Analysis was submitted to the Board of Trustees at the January 8, 2021 meeting.
On February 17, 2020, the Board of Trustees heard verbal public comment on the Select Committee’s proposal. The session was recorded and is available at www.vsc.edu/live. In addition, the Board received written public comment from January 8th – February 17th. Those comments are available at this link.
On February 22, 2021, the Board of Trustees considered the project plan for system transformation presented by the Chancellor and voted to approve the plan.
January through May 2021, the VSCS worked with rpk GROUP to enhance the academic portfolio and align the System with the transformation goals articulated by the Select Committee. For more information and for resources shared by rpk GROUP, please visit this page.
At their May 24 meeting, the EPSL Committee of the Board of Trustees approved the program evaluation framework. Over the summer, academic leadership and faculty completed significant work on the program array. That work is ongoing this fall and we anticipate the final academic program organization recommendations for the unified institution will be available in Spring 2021.
