VSC Board of Trustees (S.238) - Feb 16, 2024
Elizabeth Mauch (Chancellor, Vermont State Colleges) appeared before the Senate Education Committee on Friday afternoon. She noted that she has been very busy in her first six weeks in the job getting around to the campuses, meeting teachers and students, watching them participate in athletics and academics. She was very impressed with where the system is at this point and looking forward to the work ahead. She commended the outstanding work the VSC Board of Directors has done and their role in strategic oversight to establish the mission, vision, and policies for the VSC system to assure financial stability and accountability. Mauch reports directly to the Board and believes there is mutual accountability and responsibility.
Read morePathways to College - Feb 14, 2024
Joyce Judy (President, Community College of Vermont) told the House Education Committee on Wednesday that CCV is one of two institutions which make up the Vermont State Colleges. They complement each other and present a strong system where 95% of students are Vermonters. They actively serve about 10,000 Vermonters – some are full time and some are just taking one course.
Read moreVSAC and VSC Residency Requirements - Feb 14, 2024
The House Education Committee reviewed H.817 on Wednesday afternoon. This bill would prohibit the Vermont State Colleges policies regarding residency for tuition purposes from discriminating or excluding a person based solely on the person’s immigration status. This bill also proposes to require the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to make state-funded financial aid available to all persons who meet the definition of resident, regardless of the person’s immigration status.
Read moreVermont State Colleges Update - Jan 26, 2024
Elizabeth (Beth) Mauch (Chancellor, Vermont State Colleges) introduced herself to the House Education Committee on Friday and talked about her excitement about taking on her new role. She has spent a quarter century in higher education and is excited that the Vermont Legislature has made such a "strong commitment" to the state system and is looking forward to the future at the state Colleges (VCS).
Read moreInterim Vermont State College President
On Friday, the Senate Education Committee welcomed Mike Smith. Chairman Campion thanked him for coming in person to talk to the Committee. Smith was born in Rutland County, went to high school in Woodstock, and then pursued military service right after high school. When he came out of the service he went to UVM for a graduate degree. Most of his career was spent as CEO of several companies and held a number of positions within state government.
Read moreState Colleges Transformation Plan
The Senate Education Committee were joined on Tuesday by representatives from the Vermont State Colleges to discuss their Transformation Plan. Chairman Campion invited Chancellor Zdatny to outline for the Committee what the colleges will look like going forward, noting that "there is a lot of competition out there." Specifically, he pointed to Southern New Hampshire University as a competitor.
Read moreVermont State Colleges Funding
The House Appropriations Committee reviewed the FY2024 budget for the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) on Tuesday. Representatives from VSC shared that in 2020 the state asked them to close down three of their campuses to address a structural deficit of $25M per year. In response, they formed a committee and created a plan to reduce the operating deficit by $5M/year for five years.
Read moreVermont State Colleges Reporting Bill - Feb. 7, 2023
Legislative counsel reviewed the House Education Committee bill changes (Draft 1.1) on Tuesday that deals with reporting for the Vermont State Colleges (VSC). It is very similar to the house passed version of H.456 in 2022.
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