(This story was updated July 21 at 4 p.m. with reaction from the Vermont State Employees’ Association.)
[T]he Vermont State Colleges board of trustees has approved the idea of merging the Johnson and Lyndon State Colleges under one administration.
Chancellor Jeb Spaulding says the move will cut costs by creating one larger college with two campuses and more resources.
“A unification would protect the long-term viability and vitality of both campuses,” Spaulding told the VSC board. “We want all current and prospective students and their families, as well as school counselors, high school teachers and other partners, to remain 100 percent confident that both the Lyndon and Johnson campuses will be around for the long term.”
While the board offered approval of the concept, it asked Spaulding to prepare a report on unification to present at the next meeting, on Sept. 29. Should the board approve the plan in September, a task force of faculty and staff members from both colleges would work with stakeholders to prepare for a July 1, 2017, unification.
The initial proposal calls for Johnson State College President Elaine Collins to become president of the unified college.
“The proposal is compelling,” said board Chair Martha O’Connor. “Our priority is always to provide our students with the best possible college education at two vibrant campuses. The potential to do so by possibly expanding opportunities for students, faculty and staff in a larger college community is worth the board’s serious consideration.”
Gov. Peter Shumlin also offered initial support for the idea, calling it a “proactive step on behalf of Lyndon and Johnson and the Vermont communities and students they serve.”
Doug Gibson, a spokesman for the Vermont State Employees’ Association, which represents VSC workers, said he wasn’t sure whether jobs would be lost if the merger took place.
“We are going to be watching the process closely in the next few months to see who is impacted,” he said.
