Board of Trustees Votes in Favor of Single Accreditation
I wanted to reiterate the news delivered by our Chancellor, Sophie Zdatny, on February 22 that the Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the proposal to unify the three residential colleges. Vermont Tech, Northern Vermont University, and Castleton University will combine under a single accreditation with the Community College of Vermont remaining a separate institution (but still part of the system). The plan is largely based on the key recommendation of the state’s Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education in Vermont. I will include a link to the Select Committee’s website for reference.
The proposal calls for the hire of a project manager to assist in implementation. There is meaningful increase in state funding requested for both transition costs and larger allocations in the future with this plan, also endorsed by the state’s Select Committee findings. Early indications are that there is appetite at the legislature for improved financial support of the state college system. We will discuss transformation at our upcoming All College Meeting (see below), and folks are welcome to join me during Open Office hours (see below) with comments and questions.
Call for Student Commencement Speaker
While this year’s Commencement ceremony will be combined for all May-graduation majors, we are still in need of a student speaker to make the ceremony more meaningful and engaging. Congratulations in advance to all of the students that will be graduating this year. Jason Enser recently put out a call for a powerful student speaker to deliver an inspirational message to the Class of 2021.
If you are a student interested in being the student speaker please send an email with a draft version of your speech to Jason Enser no later than Wednesday March 31, 2021. If you are an employee familiar with a student who would be well suited for this role, please encourage them to apply!
Seeking Student Stories
The Marketing department recently put out an urgent call for more student stories. In managing our website, print and digital materials and social media, student profiles are content often used to help prospective students know what it’s like to be a Knight. Their profiles can also highlight specific programs across the college.
- Current students – please complete this short form (have a photo ready).
- Employees – nominate a student we should meet to marketing@vtc.edu or send students directly to the form.
Due to COVID, the marketing team has been more disconnected than usual from students, so are really in need of our support to get this important work done during the spring semester. Our recruitment depends on it!
All College Meeting March 24, 2021
It’s time again for an all-college meeting! I will be hosting it virtually this year via Zoom. Michelle has sent out the calendar invitation that includes the meeting link, password and phone number access. Our agenda includes updates on transformation planning, my office, and time allotted for question and answer. I look forward to seeing many faces, even if in tiny squares for a little bit longer! Please join me for this community meeting.
Upcoming Virtual Open Office Hours
I will be holding open office hours via Zoom in the coming weeks. There are two dates scheduled; a block of time for students and a separate time for employees. Michelle Graham, Executive Assistant to the President, will be sending out further details and invitations. Our intention is to schedule up to 10-minute blocks of time for individuals. I look forward to seeing all of you who can drop in virtually!
- Students – Wednesday, March 31, 2021: 12:30-3:00PM
- Faculty & Staff – Thursday, April 1, 2021: 8:30-10:30AM
Please RSVP to Michelle Graham to select an up-to-10-minute block of time to meet with President Moulton. Her emails with Zoom links are arriving shortly!