VAST Program Policies and Procedures

Academic Progress 

High school students interested in science and technology are encouraged to consider VAST: The Vermont Academy of Science and Technology. VAST students complete their senior year of high school while earning college credit for their work. The program is tuition-free for Vermont resident students! VAST is an independent, accredited high school exclusively for high school seniors offered at our Randolph and Williston campuses.  

  1. VAST students may elect to enroll in almost any program at Vermont State University offered at the Randolph or Williston campuses.  VAST students are ineligible for entry into Practical Nursing, Radiologic Science and Veterinary Technology. 
  2. Placement in English and Math is based on Accuplacer scores.
  3. In some cases, additions or adjustments to the standard curriculum may be made based on the student’s need to satisfy high school graduation requirements.  In any case where a credit  overload (>19 credits) is involved, the Academic Dean shall be consulted and shall make the final decision. 
  4. The VAST Director will monitor academic progress in the 7th week.  If a student is having academic performance challenges, the Director will meet with the student and parents/guardians together to formulate a plan for success. 
  5. During the VAST year:
    • VAST students take a minimum of 15 VTSU credits each semester
    • Students studying as “undeclared” majors must take an English, mathematics, science, and two electives each semester
    • Students much achieve at least a 2.0 GPA during their first semester to continue in the program
  6. VAST is a two semester program. Students successfully completing the VAST year will receive a VAST high school diploma. Students may choose to work with their sending school to receive a second high school diploma.

VAST Residential Student Procedure for Overnight Guests

Because of the unique nature of the VAST student body, the university invokes a different standard than exists with other VTSU students. VAST students under the age of eighteen cannot have guests in their room or be guests in another room between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Permission to have guests must be granted by a parent or guardian to the Residence Hall Director on duty prior to 9 p.m. on the night the guest will stay over.

In the case that a VAST student‘s roommate is also under the age of 18, the roommate‘s parent(s) or guardian(s) must also grant permission. Any time there is a guest staying overnight in the room of a VAST student under eighteen his or her parent or guardian must give permission.

Parents and Guardians can give blanket permission to allow a VAST student the right to have overnight guests. The permission should be submitted in writing to the Director of VAST.

The Director of VAST and Associate Dean of Students are responsible for implementing this policy, assisted by the Resident Assistants and Resident Hall Directors. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the Director of VAST who will determine the appropriate action to be taken.

VAST Residential Student Procedure for Overnight Campus Departure

The university recognizes the value of having students remain on campus during the weekend and endeavors to provide social and cultural activities for those students. It also realizes that many students, especially those who live within the State, choose to maintain ties with family and friends by going home for the weekend or occasionally on a weeknight.

All VAST students who choose to leave the campus must sign out with the Resident Director or Resident Assistant on duty. They must sign back in with the Resident Assistant on duty when they return. If the student’s destination is somewhere other than their home, parental permission is required. Students need to notify the Resident Assistant on duty if they will be unavoidably late in returning to campus from a weekend or day trip.

Parents and Guardians can give blanket permission to allow a VAST student the right to depart overnight to a destination other than their home. The permission should be submitted in writing to the Director of VAST.

The Director is responsible for implementing this policy, assisted by the Resident Assistants. Students who violate this policy will be referred to the Director of VAST who will determine the appropriate action to be taken.