Vermont State University (Vermont State or VTSU) 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. First proposed in December 2020 as a way to consolidate the Vermont State Colleges, the state's public university system, it is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Vermont State University operates residential campuses in five communities: Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston. In addition, VTSU operates nine smaller learning sites around the state and three out-of-state locations in Alaska, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.
History
Castleton University was chartered as a 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 1806 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, closing Vermont Technical College's Randolph campus, and laying off almost 500 employees. Even with the proposal, Spaulding told trustees, the system needed an immediate infusion of $25million 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, named the Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education, which ultimately recommended a similar proposal to Spaulding's closure plan. Instead of closing campuses, however, the committee recommended merging all three of the system's four-year colleges into a single institution with multiple campuses. While the committee did not recommend including the Community College of Vermont in the merger, it did recommend it focus more toward workforce education and adult learning. The proposal was projected to save the system $25million over five years.
Two aspects of the original plans to merge proved controversial. First, the libraries were going to remove most of their physical books with most of their holdings only being virtual. Second, there were several planned changes to intercollegiate athletics. In particular, the athletic teams at the Johnson campus (previously part of Northern Vermont University), would leave the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Athletics teams at the Randolph campus (previously part of Vermont Technical College) would leave the USCAA. Students, faculty, and staff protested these planned changes and they drew national attention. Vermont state legislators introduced bills to prevent these changes. These changes were both paused in April 2023 when president Parwinder Grewal abruptly resigned.
The combined institution included the roughly 5,500 students at its three predecessor institutions; however, the 250 academic programs offered between the three schools were reduced to 100. Interim President Mike Smith announced an initiative in September 2023 to "examine our list of academic offerings" and consider combining or closing additional degree programs.
Academics
Vermont State University offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon campuses offer liberal arts education while the Randolph and Williston locations house technical programs. Students have the option to take online courses as well as hybrid courses from other campuses.