As we begin to close out the semester, I offer my appreciation to all of you for your incredible efforts these past few months. Students, thank you for your hard work throughout the semester. You are close to the finish line – and I’m rooting for you all! Faculty and staff, thank you again for your work supporting our students and for all the extra contributions you have made in your work as we build Vermont State. If you have any news to share as you complete the year, please click here to submit your news! If you have a suggestion to share, please click here to send it to me.
As we enter the new year, I want to share with our entire community our new values statement, which will be of critical importance as we forge forward together as Vermont State University.
Here’s to a successful end to 2022, with best wishes for a rewarding 2023.
Yours,
President Grewal
+++++++++++++++
Transformation Updates
We are pleased to announce three Vermont State University leadership appointments:
Jayshree Bhat will be the Associate Vice President of Workforce, Community, and Economic Development
Lindsey Melo begins her role as Assistant Vice President of People and Culture
Mari Perez is the new Assistant Vice President of Sponsored Programs
Please join us in welcoming Jayshree, Lindsey, and Mari!
VSCS Transformation Newsletter
Additional transformation updates can be found in the most recent Sway.
This issue includes the following:
Reminder: Transformation Update #43
IT Shared Service Next Steps
Student Advisory Council November Meeting Summary
Transformation Project Updates
Announcing Three New Vermont State University Leadership Appointments
Spotlight: Complementary Roles & Workforce Development System-wide
Vermont State Colleges in the News
VTSU Office of the President Communications and Organization Chart
President’s Office Communications
To send an inquiry or meeting request to President Grewal, please use President@VermontState.edu. The President’s Office staff, including Michelle Graham and Barb Flathers (Johnson campus) and Rita Geno (Castleton campus) will be happy to support you.
Vermont State Organization Chart
All VTSU employees can access a new and helpful Vermont State organizational chart in UKG (UltiPro).
To access this chart:
Login into UKG
Click on your personal tab (Myself)
Scroll down the list about half way and you will see the My Company category with the Organization Chart
Click on Organization Chart
In the chart you can click and drag with your mouse to move through the chart or you can use the search bar to search a name.
Upcoming Vermont State University Events
Tuesday, January 17, 2023
First day of classes for spring 2023
Around Our Campuses
Castleton Campus
WPTZ-TV – Castleton Nurses Pass Licensure Test Well Above National Average
“We’re really, really excited that something’s going very well here,” said Helen Papeika, assistant professor and nursing chair at Castleton University. “We’re meeting the needs of the community, we’re meeting the needs of the students, faculty and staff across nursing and other departments.” Watch now.
Johnson Campus
Pocket Wetland Restoration Underway on Johnson Campus
“This project is a first step in making the campus grounds more sustainable,” Professor Lisa Zinn said. “With climate change, the storm events are getting more frequent in Vermont, and all of the surface water running off lawns and roads is running into streams and rivers.” Read the entire article. Read more.
Lyndon Campus
Out and About with NVU’s Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism Program
NVU’s Outdoor Education, Leadership, and Tourism program faculty and students have been out in the local and regional community learning and sharing their knowledge in a variety of ways this semester. Read more.
Randolph Campus
Vermont Tech Hosts Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony
“The athletes inaugurated into this first Hall of Fame class showed exceptional talent and willingness to work hard both in the classroom and on the playing surface,” said Hilary Linehan, Director of Athletics and Recreation. Read more.
Share your news!
Submit your story to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or on social media.
Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday! I hope you had a restful few days, doing the things you enjoy with the people you care about.
There are just three weeks left in the fall semester and only a little over a month until we welcome 2023. My best wishes to you on final exams and projects. To our December graduates, my congratulations to you on your hard work to complete your degree.
Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Watch for a special message from me about how we can all participate in a campaign to support students and the high-impact education they receive at our Vermont State University institutions.
Yours,
President Grewal
+++++++++++++++
Transformation Updates
We have welcomed Amy Daviarz, the new Title IX and Protected Rights Coordinator for Vermont State University. Amy joins the Office of the Chancellor in Montpelier while she completes her training under Kathryn Santiago’s supervision. She will then transition over to Vermont State University. Welcome, Amy! Additional transformation updates can be found in the most recent Sway.
This issue includes the following:
Title IX and Protected Rights Coordinator for VTSU
Spotlight: Updates from VSCS Library Transformation
Transformation Project Updates
The CCV Graduate Connection VTSU
Vermont State Colleges in the News
Upcoming Vermont State University Events
Town Hall Meetings
President Grewal invites all faculty, staff, and students to Town Hall meetings on:
“The Mandala is something that every student walks by,” Jennifer said. “But what the students might not know is that the Mandala is an interactive sculpture, and the marble centerpiece turns.” Read the entire article.
Vermont Tech
History Is Made at Cross Country Nationals
Trevor Kipp, who graduated Brattleboro High School in 2019 became the first All-American male athlete for Vermont Technical College Friday when he finished third at the USCAA Cross Country Nationals in Virginia Beach. Read the entire article.
Share your news!
Submit your story to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or on social media.
Quote/Unquote
“Our campuses are excited to participate in Giving Tuesday, which is the biggest giving day of the year around the world. We have three unique campaigns running at Castleton, NVU, and Vermont Tech in order to meet the individual needs of our campuses. Just like Vermont State University, #GivingTuesday is not about just one thing…it’s about all of us, and we hope that you will make a gift to the campaign of your choice to help us meet our goals!”
-Lauren Philie, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to share my gratitude to you for your hard work, commitment, and innovations all through the year. I know navigating the changes and uncertainty have been difficult, but your contributions have been tremendous. You are part of a unique endeavor and are building something remarkable for the state of Vermont.
Thank you to the faculty and staff for all you are doing. To our students, thank you for continuing to inspire us and be the living proof of our professional commitment.
Yours,
President Grewal
+++++++++++++++
Transformation Updates
Please join me in congratulating two more Vermont State University leadership appointments: Deanna Tyson will be the Assistant Vice President of Athletics and Fitness and Lauren Philie will be the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations. Both Deanna and Lauren were in interim positions prior to these appointments. Additional transformation updates can be found in the most recent Sway.
This issue includes the following:
Spotlight: An Update on Systems Projects
First-Generation College Celebration Day: November 8th
Transformation Project Updates
Progress Report Accepted by NECHE
Announcing Three Vermont State University Leadership Appointments
Vermont State Colleges in the News
Upcoming Vermont State University Events
Town Hall Meetings
President Grewal invites all faculty, staff, and students to Town Hall meetings on:
Castleton University men’s ice hockey freshman forward Mason Alderson, a native of London, England, was recently featured on NHL.com’s “Color of Hockey” series—a running series penned by William Douglas that covers people of color in the sport of hockey. Read the entire article.
NVU Johnson
NVU Receives NBHWC Approval for Health Science – Health & Wellness Coaching Program
Graduates of NVU’s Health & Wellness Coaching program will be eligible to sit for the NBHWC Certification Exam to become a Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Read the entire article.
Plazek Joins Association of Canadian Studies
David J. Plazek, PhD, Professor of Political Science, was elected to the Executive Council of the Association of Canadian Studies in the United States in October for a three-year term. Plazek is Co-Chair of the Culture, History, and Political Science Department and Director of the Institute of Canadian Studies.
NVU Lyndon
NVU Honors the Memory of Hall of Famer Mark O’Brien
The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon community paid tribute to alumnus and athletic Hall of Famer Mark O’Brien ’89, who passed away in June of 2020. Mark was an outstanding basketball and baseball player at Lyndon. He was inducted into the Lyndon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Read the entire article.
Vermont Tech
VCBB begins partnership to fill worker shortages in conjunction with universal broadband
“Vermont Technical College is excited to work with the fiber industry in Vermont to provide apprenticeship training for this sector. We are working on developing all the elements of the program with the CUDs, VCBB and construction firms who are doing this work,” said Patricia Moulton, Vermont State Colleges Workforce Division Executive Director. Read the entire article.
Share your news!
Submit your story to be featured in an upcoming newsletter or on social media.
Quote/Unquote
“As I was planning my F2F+ course for this semester, I wanted to ensure that all of my students felt as though they were a contributing member of the class. I chose to incorporate Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning activities and broke students up into small teams. I change the teams every five weeks. This helped to promote a sense of community and increased student engagement. An unintended benefit has been that students report being surprised by how quickly the class time passes, a difficult feat for a 75-minute, 8 a.m. class!”
-Shannon Newell, PhD, NCSP, Associate Professor of Psychological Science, School Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator, Castleton University
As we move into November, we find ourselves honoring our community in many ways. This month, we recognize First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8, a time to celebrate the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We also commemorate Veterans Day on November 11 and Transgender Day of Awareness on November 20. All November long we observe Native American Heritage Month. And, of course, there is the Thanksgiving Holiday on November 24, a time for family and friends.
Each of our campus communities has events planned to mark these important occasions. See below my message for a list of First Generation Day activities being held across our campuses. Watch for emails with information on how you can participate.
I encourage you to engage in these important observances with our community. Share your story or listen to another’s story. Take time to read, watch, or listen to learn more. Join us at an event.
To those who we honor on these days, we see you and we are here for you.
Yours,
President Grewal
+++++++++++++++
First-Generation College Celebration Day – November 8
Castleton Campus:
Events will be held in the Campus Center Atrium from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. where cider and donuts will be served while sharing in writing and video, “it’s important to me to be FG, because…” Later, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., cider and donuts will be served in the Campus Center 1787 Room where there will be more sharing as well as live music and therapy dogs. All week long leading up to November 8, the Calvin Coolidge Library will display books by famous first-gen authors.
NVU-Johnson Campus:
Students and staff will table in Stearns Student Center where they will have TRIO items to distribute, a poster to fill out, and a button-maker for students to make their own buttons.
NVU-Lyndon Campus:
Faculty and staff will display signs on their office doors that say, “I’m 1st Gen, let’s talk!” Students are invited to write about what being first-gen means to them at a table in the Academic Support Center, where snacks will be served.
Vermont Tech Campus:
Faculty and staff will display signs indicating their first-gen status on their office doors. Student stories will be shared via video. A table of books by first-gen authors will be on display at the library.
Heidi Welch Honored with Music Department’s Distinguished Alumni Award
The Keene State College Music Department has bestowed its Distinguished Alumni Award for 2022-23 to Heidi J. Welch, Class of 1996, who serves as the Director of Music Education at Castleton State University in Castleton, Vermont. Read the entire article.
This is Our Home – Lyndon, Vermont
Professor Dan Daley is featured in this love letter to the greater Lyndon community by NVU-Lyndon alum Ben Frechette, now with WPTZ-TV. Daley was born and raised in Lyndon and was also a student here! Watch the entire feature.
Vermont Tech Engineers Gold for Charity and Their Profession
Vermont Tech engineering students retained their trophy at the annual Vermont Society of Engineers’ (VSE) golf tournament, held in September. Vermont Tech’s team bested other university engineering student teams in a scramble format, keeping the rotating trophy that goes to the winning institution each year and that Vermont Tech had reclaimed in 2021. The tournament is a student-scholarship fundraiser for the VSE, and most of the golfers were working engineers. For many years, the VSE has invited the three engineering academic institutions in Vermont to enter a student team.
Quote/Unquote
“Through my work in the F2F+ pilot, I’ve been able to see the benefits of using technology in a way that brings students together from different locations and allows them to engage in course material in a way that breaks down the barriers of where students are attending from.
I’ve also strengthened my course delivery through Canvas course templates and been able to allow for modality diversity in how students do work within the course which has allowed students to get more creative with how they tackle different tasks within the course.
Sure, it’s been a challenge and not everything has been perfect, but if this is a glimpse of how I might deploy this in other courses, I’m confident I can do so without feeling overwhelmed by it and know that I have the support of OIT, the Teaching and Learning Innovation team, and my peers who are also working through things in this environment as well.”
-Meaghan Meachem, Professor and Chair, Journalism and Communications, Northern Vermont University – Lyndon
In November, we honor Native American Heritage Month. This month allows us time to learn, reflect, and engage in both the historical and modern experiences of Native Americans in our country. We use the term Native Americans to represent the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. The best terminology is what an individual person or tribal community uses to describe themselves. When possible, we refer to the specific tribe or tribal community. Learn more about the various terms used by indigenous people to describe themselves here.
In Vermont, there are four state-recognized Western Abenaki Tribes:
The Elnu Abenaki Tribe
The Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe
The Koasek Traditional Band of the Koas Abenaki Nation, and
The Abenaki Nation at Missisquoi.
Within the political borders of Vermont there is also the federally recognized Mohican Nation.
No matter where you are in Vermont or across the world, which campus you attend, or whether you are a resident or commuter student, there are many opportunities offered below to learn more about Indigenous peoples. We are also repeating our CALL TO ACTION. We are seeking students, faculty and staff with connections to Native Americans or others who are interested in amplifying Native American voices and experiences by developing a Land Acknowledgement Statement for Vermont Tech. To learn more about what a Land Acknowledgement statement is and how you can help please read below.
Native American Heritage Month Programming:
Virtual Game night with Native American Heritage Month questions
“For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to save them from being Indian. In Maine, the first official “truth and reconciliation commission” in the United States begins a historic investigation. DAWNLAND goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.”
Williston: Wednesday, November 17, Room 203; lunch provided.
Randolph: TBD
Streaming via VIMEO from your computer any time. Password: silver.five.dove
Screening of Songs My Brothers Taught Me
“A melancholic portrait of Lakota Indian life on the Pine Ridge Reservation in the South Dakota Badlands.” This is a movie that was written and directed by Academy Award winner Chloe Zhao
Randolph: Tuesday, November 30, 7 pm, Campus Center
To start using Kanopy, you’ll need to create an account through the Hartness Library. You can connect your Kanopy account to a Google or Facebook account or use any email address you prefer. If you have any trouble creating your Hartness Library Kanopy account, contact a librarian at (800) 431-0025 or hartness@vsc.edu.
IllumiNative is a Native-led non-profit using research to change the narrative about Native people in pop culture, media, k-12 education, and other critical sectors.
We are seeking Vermont Tech students, faculty and staff with connections to Native Americans who would like to help develop a Land Acknowledgement Statement for Vermont Tech. A Land Acknowledgement Statement is a formal statement spoken at the beginning of a public event, or written as part of a public communication that recognizes those events, communities, homes and businesses which reside on land originally inhabited by or belonging to indigenous people. A Land Acknowledgment also formally recognizes and respects indigenous peoples as stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between indigenous peoples and their traditional lands.
For more information on Land Acknowledgement, please see these resources below:
There’s a new way to enjoy Vermont Tech Athletics. Now you can catch every game from the comfort of…anywhere!
The new Vermont Tech OTT channel allows viewers to access games and other sports programming for free on their AndroidTV, AppleTV, FireTV, Roku, and other similar apps.
“We are excited to be everywhere for our Vermont Tech sports fans,” said Hilary Linehan, Director of Athletics & Recreation. “Alumni, parents, and community members can all see their favorite Knights in action.”
Vermont Tech’s first home basketball game is on November 17, 2021, at 5:30 pm. To access Vermont Tech’s OTT channel, search “Vermont Tech” on your streaming service. To access a full calendar of athletic events, visit https://athletics.vtc.edu/landing/index. For information about advertising, please email Hilary Linehan, Director of Athletics & Recreation.
On Monday October 11, 2021, we in Vermont formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. To celebrate a fuller and more inclusive American history, this day centers Indigenous people, who are the original inhabitants of North America. It honors their continued presence and contributions to the country, as well as attempts to reconcile a history of injustices such as mass genocide, forced removal from land, forced sterilization of women, forced assimilation of Native American children, and subsequent income and health disparities. Through education and awareness-raising, we can move forward together.
There are over 500 tribes recognized by the federal government. Vermont Tech is situated on Wabanaki land. The Wabnaki, “People of the Dawn,” are named for the area in which they lived and continue to live called Wabanahkik or “Dawnland” in the traditional language Algonquian. This region stretches from Newfoundland, Canada down to Massachusetts, US. The Wabanaki are a confederation of five principal nations: the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and Penobscot. The Western Abenaki homeland includes what is now Vermont and New Hampshire.
In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ day, please see below for opportunities to learn more about Indigenous peoples and to attend events around the state.
We would also like to request the following Call to Action:
November is National Native American Heritage Month. We are seeking Indigenous Vermont Tech students, faculty and staff who would like to help develop a Land Acknowledgement Statement for Vermont Tech. A Land Acknowledgement Statement is a formal statement spoken at the beginning of a public event, or written as part of a public communication that recognizes those events, communities, homes and businesses which reside on land originally inhabited by or belonging to Indigenous people. A Land Acknowledgment also formally recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous peoples and their traditional lands.
If you are interested in developing a Land Acknowledgement Statement for Vermont Tech, please email Kathleen Mason.
Learn more!
To learn more about the Abenaki:
VPR’s Brave Little State podcast: “What Is the Status of the Abenaki Native Americans In Vermont Today?” Nov. 4, 2016:
https://www.vpr.org/programs/2016-11-04/what-is-the-status-of-the-abenaki-native-americans-in-vermont-today#stream/0
Listen to Abenaki Chief Don Stevens tell the story of Odzihozo and the creation of Bitawbwa (Lake Champlain):
https://abenaki-edu.org/nebi-abenaki-ways-of-knowing-water/
Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA) and Abenaki Arts & Education Center scholars, historians, and culture bearers present vibrant regional culture. The current session is full, so stay sign up for the next course!
Explore Indigenous approaches to wealth, stories from wealth building leaders, and ways Indigenous wealth concepts can heal our future in this virtual event on Monday, October 11.
Programming for Indigenous Peoples’ Day at UVM
October 11, 2021: 12:00-1:30 PM Film screening of DAWNLAND. 4:30-6:00 PM Community Discussion with presenter Aaron York, an educator and skilled birchbark canoe artisan.
DAWNLAND Synopsis:
“For decades, child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their homes to save them from being Indian. In Maine, the first official “truth and reconciliation commission” in the United States begins a historic investigation. DAWNLAND goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.
For further education:
IllumiNative is a Native-led non-profit using research to change the narrative about Native people in pop culture, media, k-12 education, and other critical sectors. To learn more about how we can change the story of Native Peoples and increase visibility please go to illuminatives.org
Today, the Vermont State Colleges System Board Chair, Chancellor, and Presidents held a press conference to announce the new legislation that creates several scholarship programs for Vermonters. Thanks to the Legislature and Governor, Vermont is funding several incredible opportunities for high school graduates and adult learners at the Vermont State Colleges this year. We are grateful, especially to the Legislature, for their prioritization of higher and continuing education and workforce development in their strategy for allocation of the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
These scholarships total a $15 million investment in Vermont students. This helps address the affordability of public higher education. We are thrilled that our students are reaping the rewards of this tremendous opportunity this year.
The new scholarship initiatives are
Welcome Home / Transfer Scholarship – for Vermonters who were attending an out-of-state college or who exited a VSC institution in 2020-2021.
This scholarship award is up to $5,000 for full-time students and $3,000 for part-time students per year to cover tuition, room and board, and fees.
Degree Completion Scholarship – for Vermonters who have earned at least 40 college credits and have a gap in their education of at least two years.
This scholarship is a ‘last-dollar’ scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining balance after all state and federal gift aid is applied.
Free Tuition Scholarship – for students entering or returning to programs identified as ‘Critical Occupations’ in the legislation, including healthcare programs and the McClure Best Bet programs.
This scholarship is a ‘last-dollar’ scholarship, meaning it covers any remaining balance after all state and federal gift aid is applied.
July 16, 2021: Due to response volume paired with limited State funding, this program’s awarding is paused at Vermont Tech, Castleton University, and Northern Vermont University, with the exception of our Paramedicine Program. Students admitted prior to this date are being awarded existing funds. Your continued interest is encouraged, while we work to secure additional funding. Please stay tuned. Scholarship programs above and the VSAC scholarships are unaffected by this pause.
VSAC also joined the press conference to present their state-funded initiative that also apply to students interested in taking a course tuition-free at one of the Vermont State Colleges System institutions: Green Mountain Grad and 802 Opportunity Grant. These programs are both provided by VSAC.
The press conference streaming archive is available on the VSC YouTube channel.
Thank you for your patience with our ongoing Transition Advisory Taskforce (TAT) work. It has been a while since our last TAT update. Please know a lot of work has been going on since the last update. I also want to take a moment to remind you how we got here, update you on our work to date, and identify clear next steps.
How we got here:
As you may recall, in May I created the TAT, comprised of 15 members representing students, faculty and staff and all of the collective bargaining units. The charge was to assist in the development of a plan to transition the college – VTC specifically, not the VSC – to a highly sustainable and stable institution and be a community of colleagues that represented our broad community, providing a framework and filter to support an inclusive gathering of ideas and priorities. The group developed “guardrails” for all ideas submitted and helped rank and organize over 400+ ideas into themes. With those themes in mind, specific “buckets” and priorities started to surface.
Where we are today:
Through the hard work of the TAT, the Drafting Committee, compromised of colleagues serving on TAT and also serving as Executive Team members, have worked through specific project charters that align with the themes that emerged through the TAT work. Members of the Drafting Committee include myself, Lit Tyler, Ana Gaillat, Jason Enser and Kellie Campbell. Prioritizing a project management approach to this work, the project charters seek to identify clear goals, deliverables, timelines, stakeholders, budget, and more. The Drafting Committee spent several working days organizing the charters and recently presented drafts to the TAT for feedback and input.
Next steps:
With feedback from TAT included, we have worked toward almost-final drafts of all project charters. Our next step is to go back to you, our broader VTC community, and share out the specifics in the charters. Over the next month, we will be hosting campus-wide community Zoom meetings, diving into each charter at each meeting. It will be a time have a conversation, answer questions, and gather your input and ideas. We will start with two attached charters then brief you on the last three in separate meeting in the coming weeks.
We know there are several layers of planning happening across our VSC community, but it is important to keep in mind the work of the TAT and the Drafting Committee is very specific and focused on Vermont Tech. That was the charge of TAT and our commitment is ensuring a strong future for Vermont Tech as front and center in this work.
We welcome you to save the date for review of our first two charters. The presentation and conversation will be recorded to ensure access for those that might not be able to attend live and in-person. Dates for the following charters are below with Zoom links coming soon:
Wednesday, November 11th at 12:00 pm: Comprehensive Program Review of All Academic Programs
Thursday, November 19th at 2:00 pm: Transformation and Investment in our Physical Infrastructure
We thank you for your commitment to this process, for the good ideas we know you will share, and for your ongoing service to Vermont Tech!
June 8, 2020
Today, Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearson shared her final report of the financial review of the Vermont State Colleges System. The Office of the State Treasurer was asked by leadership in the House of Representatives and the Joint Fiscal Office to review the VSCS’s financial position. In addition, Dr. James Page, Former Chancellor from the University of Maine System, submitted his report on funding for the Vermont State Colleges System FY2020 and FY2021. Dr. Page worked with the VSCS and the Joint Fiscal Office to undertake a financial assessment of the system.
June 4, 2020
The Transition Advisory Taskforce (TAT) met and provided an update as of June 4, 2020. In a general update, the committee shared that the Vermont House and Senate approved $12M for COVID-19 assistance for the VSCS, and it is on the Governor’s desk for signature. Separately, the VSCS has requested 25% of the regular state appropriations at the beginning of the fiscal year. The VSC has launched a strategic planning taskforce, VSCS Forward. Vermont Tech participants in the VSC task force include Lit Tyler (VTC – Dean of Administration), Sarah Billings-Berg (VTC – Associate Dean of Nursing), and Kim Hannon-Brobst (VTC – Coordinator of Remote Access Services and selected representative of the Staff Federation).
In addition, Vermont Tech is proceeding with “Vermont Technical College — Agriculture & Food System Education Transformation Project at the Randolph Campus.” Ellen Kahler of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and sponsor of the state’s Farm to Plate initiative, has volunteered to facilitate a larger, statewide group of ag and food systems specialists who are also volunteering their time, to define the educational niche Vermont Tech can “own” around ag and food systems education. The group is being co-chaired by Regina Beidler from the Beidler farm here in Randolph Center and Louise Calderwood, former faculty here and at Sterling College as well as former Deputy Secretary of Ag in Vermont. Molly Willard will be part of the Steering Committee and Dr. Crowe, Steph Nault, Greg Hughes and Dave Rubin will be part of teams and subject matter experts in this process. There will be survey work and other outreach from this group as they get rolling. This work is planned to take 7-9 months and will culminate in a business plan for the resulting education plan. It is also expected this group will help with funding requests as needed. This process is starting later this month.
For its own report, the TAT provided information about its fifth meeting on June 4, 2020 via Zoom. TAT has formed four sub-groups to review the over 400 ideas and recommendations. As previously mentioned in an earlier communication, the groups include these members.
Group 1: Academics, Delivery (Kellie Campbell, Ana Gaillat, Joan Richmond-Hall, Curtis Steins)
Group 2: Recruitment, Enrollment, Student Life; Facilities (Travis Allen, Nate Ball, Ryan Cooney, Jason Enser)
Group 3: Campuses; VSCS Reorganization; Administration (Brooke Burlett, Ross Lieblappen, Michelle Stearns)
Group 4: Costs; Revenue, Tuition, Funding (Veronica Golden, Scott Sabol, Lit Tyler)
At the June 4th meeting, each of the four groups presented their initial review of community ideas. Of the 400 suggestions, approximately 100 were identified as higher priority or warranting development. TAT agreed to consolidate the ideas into common themes in order to focus its planning efforts. Over the next week, TAT expects to develop these themes which will be shared with the college community when finalized. All of the original ideas remain part of a library of suggestions for reference.
TAT also reviewed the program cost matrix which is being shared this week staff and faculty. This tool will assist in the screening and development of planning initiatives.
Lastly, suggestions continue to be offered through the taskforce website and are being added to the growing list of ideas for review.
June 2, 2020
In the fourth update from the Transition Advisory Taskforce, the team itemized the four key metrics that were endorsed at their last meeting:
The College’s operating budget will achieve a 5% operating margin annually.
Return on educational investment will increase by X% through cost reductions and enhanced graduate outcomes.
All programs will design decentralized delivery and access for students (including non-traditional) by fall 2021 and implement as feasible.
Levels of graduate educational satisfaction, career preparedness, and ability to participate in an effective citizenry will continue or improve.
In addition, the over 300 recommendations and ideas have been organized into four groups for review. Each group has three or four TAT members who have begun the process of reviewing recommendations. Participants are noted in parenthesis.
Group 1: Academics, Delivery (Kellie Campbell, Ana Gaillat, Joan Richmond-Hall, Curtis Steins)
Group 2: Recruitment, Enrollment, Student Life; Facilities (Travis Allen, Nate Ball, Ryan Cooney, Jason Enser)
Group 3: Campuses; VSCS Reorganization; Administration (Brooke Burlett, Ross Lieblappen, Michelle Stearns)
Group 4: Costs; Revenue, Tuition, Funding (Veronica Golden, Scott Sabol, Lit Tyler)
Each group will evaluate and rank each suggestion based on the “planning considerations” developed and shared in a previous email. The categories of these considerations include: students, finances, community, access, programs, and general planning. Each review may include brief comments where the reviewers wished to add clarifying information.
The Task force hopes to complete its review and prioritization in the next two weeks. Some form of that prioritization will be shared with the college community.
May 26, 2020
In the third update of the Transition Advisory Taskforce, the team mentioned a recent discussion with the Vermont Legislature’s financial consultant, James Page. Mr. Page was informed of the unique challenges of and special role played by Vermont Tech in creating Vermont’s next generation of educated employees. They noted interest in the sale of various properties which are being pursued to offset COVID-19 enrollment declines.
At its May 21 meeting, TAT completed the following:
A review of four key metrics to guide planning, and which are being finalized this week
A review of the financial information provided to the State Treasurer which illustrates the range of fiscal deficits based on various enrollment scenarios
A review of demographic and enrollment projections, including historical data and fall projections
A preliminary review and discussion of a process to evaluate the various recommendations provided by the college community
The next step in planning is to finalize Key Metrics, and to prioritize community recommendations.
May 20, 2020
In the second update of the Transition Advisory Taskforce, the team shared that the Vermont Legislature has hired a financial consultant, James Page, former Chancellor of the University of Maine system, to conduct a VSCS financial assessment. Dean of Administration, Lit Tyler, has been working with the Vermont State Treasurer’s Office to assist in developing short term financial plans. The current expectation remains that the Legislature is attempting to provide financial assistance for the 2020 fall and perhaps 2021 spring semesters. However, there is still no definitive action. Calls to legislative representatives continues to be encouraged.
The Taskforce update outlines a draft workplan, which includes goals, a preliminary schedule, planning principles, and important planning considerations. An important next step is to reach an agreement on key metrics and review the community recommendations to date. The taskforce also articulated that they continue to welcome input, so invite the community to share ideas via email.
May 11, 2020
The Transition Advisory Taskforce released its first update to all Vermont Tech students, faculty, and staff. The update names all the taskforce members and their affiliation (e.g. union representation). The goal of the Taskforce is to assist in the development of a plan to transition Vermont Technical College to a more sustainable institution able to withstand vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 virus and the Vermont State College’s financial challenges. The details of the plan is the work of the Taskforce and Executive Committee, with input and suggestions from all the Vermont Tech Community. The overall goal of planning is to create an even more sustainable, efficient, effective, and student-focused institution.
The update outlines the need to complete its work by June 29th and a process where all recommendations are evaluated. The Taskforce also articulated that communication is a top priority and shared a new email address for the sharing of information and ideas: transitiontaskforce@vtc.edu. We thank them for their work.
May 4, 2020
The college announced a new FAQ to help provide additional information. The questions are largely the result of an open forum held with students. Additional questions can be sent to communications@vtc.edu if not addressed in the FAQs.
May 1, 2020
President Moulton provided an update to the college.
April 29, 2020
April 27, 2020
President Moulton has announced her plan for a Transition Taskforce, comprised of representatives from staff, faculty, students, and administration. This group’s charge will be to vet all ideas brought forward to develop goals and concepts for the entire college community to consider. Our end goal is to transform the college to be more sustainable and resilient. In this process, President Moulton stressed the importance of all ideas being heard and considered. While not all ideas will be implemented, a thoughtful process must consider all options.
It is unlikely that all parties involved will like all aspects of the final plan, and there will be very difficult decisions to make. In the end, the college is aiming for a plan we can all get behind and support. In doing so, we pave the way for the Board of Trustees and Legislature to support our plan as well.
April 22, 2020
Today, Chancellor Spaulding issued a press release announcing his plan to withdrawal the proposal for reconfiguring the Vermont State Colleges System. This announcement allows for a deliberate and inclusive process towards a workable alternative solution over the course of the coming months.
Senator President Tim Ashe also submitted his statement about the withdrawal of the proposal.
April 20, 2020 – a message from President Moulton to the college community
It has been heartwarming to see the surge of support that our communities are pouring out for retaining a system of vital state college institutions and campuses. I am proud to see democracy in action where the will of the people has an impact on legislators, the governor, and our Board of Trustees. You have changed the conversation, which has historically shown little financial support for the state colleges, to one considering alternatives.
I call on all of you to continue to communicate with your representatives and the Governor’s office to provide an influx of financial support necessary to allow for a longer planning window than the one we currently have.
The sudden nature of the proposal to transform the Vermont State Colleges System has been a shock to everyone. There has been a very small window of time alloted to planning and responding to proposals for the system.
I fought for Vermont Tech’s future for many reasons:
We have the best outcomes of any Vermont college or university as demonstrated by the best ROI in the state and historically high placement rates.
We have always evolved to meet the need of educating Vermont’s workforce in our 154-year history.
I have faith in our ability to do so anytime, every time.
We graduate students who are job-ready on Day One, thanks to their applied experience and clinical practice.
Employers across numerous industries need our students to keep the economic engine of Vermont and our region humming.
Of employers who have hired Vermont Tech graduates, 99% of them surveyed said they would “likely” or “definitely” hire another graduate of our college.
We are already embedded in 12 communities around this state, delivering high-quality nursing education via Telepresence and clinical placements.
We are experienced at reaching students where they are and are primed for expanding offerings.
Lastly, and most importantly, Vermont Tech serves students who thrive in our applied learning environment, looking for high-demand technical and professional careers. There is no other technical college in Vermont and we provide a unique value to the state and our students.
The overwhelming support of our community and the state has the potential to change the timeline of transforming the system and the college. The Legislature knows that the financial struggle of the system is not hyperbole. The need for structural changes will continue even if the system is injected with additional one-time funding, but it would give the institutions more time to consider options thoughtfully, in structured processes with data to imagine what the college’s future can be.
An innovative future is possible.
A future Vermont Tech cannot look exactly as we do today, regardless of our political will. The forces changing higher education were strong before COVID-19, and consumer preferences post the pandemic are also calling for more focus on outcomes, even greater price sensitivity, and desire to stay closer to home. We have an obligation to our students and future students to be responsive their needs. We have experience reaching regionally around Vermont. Vermont Tech is more than campuses in Randolph Center and Williston. We are also a collection of invaluable programs that meet workforce needs of Vermont, professional faculty with industry experience who teach them, practical and impassioned students who pursue them, and staff and administration who support them all. We can meet students where they are, in addition to providing residential options for those that still want it. Our role in this state and region is to graduate the innovators who will continue to drive local economies. It is time for us to be innovative too.
Doing our part.
We are being asked to do our part in fixing the structural financial issues in the VSC system, to again overcome the economic crisis of the day. It is important that we recognize the scale of the issues to be resolved and work together to make Vermont Tech stronger and sustainable for future generations.
Statements from Vermont government officials were added as noted.
A statement from Representative Jay Hooper, “I Stand for Vermont Tech” (4/21/20)
A statement from Governor Phil Scott about the future of the Vermont State Colleges System. (4/19/20)
A joint statement of Senate President Tim Ashe and Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson re: the pending proposals to close three state college campuses. (4/19/20)
UPDATED press release from the Office of the Chancellor, April 19, 2020.
April 17, 2020
Today, the Chancellor announced adaptation plans to meet the challenges of the future. He is recommending to the Board of Trustees substantial transformation and campus consolidation.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_ga
Allows Google Analytics to collect anonymized data to help us better understand how people use our website.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
