NEWPORT — Vermont State Colleges System Chancellor Jeb Spaulding announced this morning that he is withdrawing the reconfiguration recommendations he brought to his Board of Trustees earlier this week.
That proposal included reducing the number of career-focused liberal arts campuses from three to one, closing the Northern Vermont University, and growing at Castleton University.
In addition, Vermont Technical College’s Randolph Center campus would have been closed, consolidating selected programs to their Williston Campus.
“Our Board of Trustees heard loud and clear from thousands of students, employees, communities, and the State’s elected leadership and determined that my recommendations would be damaging on many levels and would not be acceptable,” Spaulding said. “I accept their judgment. Indications are positive that the State leaders will be assisting us to get through the immediate problem, although we are not sure of exactly how at this time.”
He said they will be taking additional time to work with elected, campus, and community leaders to redesign the Vermont State Colleges System to be sustainable.
They do not plan to close campuses this fall.
Spaulding said this morning that he will begin work immediately to formulate a new proposal, which will include seeking input from the Legislature, the administration, and community and campus leaders.
