Vermont State University Interim President Mike Smith recommends discontinuing 10 programs at the newly merged school, according to a draft plan released on Tuesday.
Agriculture, forestry, school psychology, photography, and music are among the programs on the chopping block. According to a news release, the programs will be retained until current students graduate or leave the program.
Additionally, 13 other programs could be consolidated and 11 programs could switch campuses. VTSU officially came into being on July 1 merging the Vermont State College System campuses in Castleton, Randolph, Lyndon, Johnson, and Williston.
Affected faculty will be offered buyouts: “If there is sufficient uptake in the buyout program, layoffs may not be necessary. We anticipate $2.1-$3.35M in savings over the next two years as these changes are implemented. This is projected based on a reduction of direct expenditures by decreasing the number of full-time faculty by 20 to 33 positions out of the current 207.”
Final recommendations for optimization as well as plans for administrative reductions and efficiencies will be made by Oct. 31, according to a news release.
Gov. Scott said at his press conference yesterday that campus consolidation shouldn’t be necessary if state college authorities make good decisions. – Journal-Opinion