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Vermont State University (VSU) 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. The university was first proposed in December 2020 as a way to consolidate the Vermont State Colleges, the state's public university system. It was It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Beginning July 1, 2023, Vermont State University will operate residential campuses in five communities: Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston. In addition, it will operate nine smaller learning sites around the state and three out-of-state in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.

History

Castleton University was chartered as grammar school in 1787, making it the oldest predecessor institution to Vermont State University. Johnson Academy was founded in 1828, later becoming Johnson State College; Vermont Technical College was founded in 1866 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). 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.

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 and shuttering Vermont Technical College's Randolph campus. Even with the drastic proposal, Spaulding told trustees, the system needed an immediate infusion of $25 million to keep operating. 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. VSC formed a committee which ultimately recommended a similar proposal to Spaulding's closure plan; however, instead of closing campuses, the committee recommended merging all three of the system's four-year colleges into a single institution. The proposal was projected to save the system $25 million over five years.

Academics

Vermont State University will offer associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses offer liberal arts education while the Randolph and Williston locations house the Vermont State Institute of Technology. Students will have the option to take online courses as well as hybrid courses from other campuses.

Athletics

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

• Castleton Spartans (NCAA Division III)
• Johnson Badgers (NCAA Division III)
• Lyndon Hornets (NCAA Division III)
• Randolph Knights (USCAA)

Campuses

Castleton

The 165-acre Castleton campus has been in its current location since 1818. The Castleton Medical College Building, built this year, 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

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.

Randolph

The Vermont State Institute of Technology's main campus in Randolph is the largest of the five at 544 acres and hosts engineering labs and an advanced manufacturing center. The campus has received United States Department of Defense funding to establish the first advanced manufacturing education, research, and development facility in the state.

Williston

The suburban Williston campus of the Vermont State Institute of Technology, located just outside Burlington, houses several labs and a small residential building.

References

1. Bakuli, Ethan. "Vermont State Colleges freezes tuition for next year, weighs future consolidation plans". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
2. Report, Staff. "Vermont State University granted accreditation". Rutland Herald. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
3. "3 Campuses Unite to Become Vermont State University | Inside Higher Ed". www.insidehighered.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
4. ^ "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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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. Duffort, Lola (2020-04-21). "Vermont State Colleges need $25 million now — even if three campuses close". VTDigger. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
10. Bakuli, Ethan. "After backlash, Vermont State Colleges chancellor withdraws proposal to close three campuses". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
11. "Three Vermont Schools Merge to Stay Afloat During Pandemic". The College Post. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
12. "FAQs – Vermont State University". vermontstate.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
13. "Athletics at Vermont State University – Vermont State University". vermontstate.edu. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
14. Trombly, Justin (2019-09-15). "NVU-Lyndon crowd brings the heat to Vermont State Colleges officials". VTDigger. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
15. April 21, Staff | on; 2022 (2022-04-21). "Leahy Tours VTC Manufacturing Ctr. - The White River Valley Herald". The White River Valley Herald - Serving the Communities of Vermont's White River Valley Since 1874. Retrieved 2022-07-22. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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