Important Information Regarding the Upcoming VSCS Unification
After careful consideration, the Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees voted to move the Vermont State Colleges System to an organizational structure for two complementary institutions. The proposal will unify the three residential colleges – Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College – under a common accreditation in Summer 2023 while maintaining the Community College of Vermont as a separate institution.
For more information on the Vermont State Colleges System transformation, visit vsc.edu/transformation.
VisionPoint Naming Recommendation Presentation
Board of Trustees Unification Approval Press Release
Select Committee on the Future of Public Higher Education in Vermont Proposal
Due to a variety of economic and demographic challenges, the VSCS has been under considerable financial pressure. These pressures were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The VSCS is not considered to be sustainable in its current configuration and significant change is needed for the system to thrive into the future.
Castleton will unify with Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College and become part of a larger institution.
The Vermont State Colleges System Board of Trustees voted on Sept. 29 to approve Vermont State University as the name for the unified institution. Market research shows that the name Vermont State University will help expand our recruiting into new locations by leveraging the Vermont brand, which holds high value bother nationally and internationally.
We've seen several alumni asking what institution they should list on their resume or LinkedIn. Alumni are encouraged to continue using the Castleton name that is most appropriate to them – Castleton University or Castleton State College. After the unification, alumni can use Vermont State University (formerly Castleton University or Castleton State College), or whatever is most comfortable.
Castleton will have a different name after the unification but will remain committed to everything that you have known and loved about the University. We continue to expect to preserve aspects of our identity and history throughout the unification, such as the possibility of location-based identifiers (like Vermont State University at Castleton). The changes that you will see are largely administrative, and our culture, traditions, and shared experiences will remain.
Yes. The unification is not expected to be completed for several years. You can continue to support Castleton now and beyond the unification by making a restricted gift specifically for our Castleton location.
You can best support Castleton in all of the ways that you are accustomed to, such as sharing your experiences as former Castleton students and alumni, remaining engaged in University activities and news, and philanthropic giving.
The unification of Castleton, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College will present benefits for both current students and our alumni communities as well. Our individual institutions are home to a network of thousands of living alumni across the country and around the world. All will be welcome in our new unified university.
Castleton has robust systems in place for enrollment, which has been evidenced by our recent success, including bringing in the largest class in the college’s history last year. We are doing everything we can to mitigate any negative effects that news reports may have on our enrollment. During and after the unification, we will maintain the institutional knowledge of how to present Castleton as a first-choice college and maintain our strong enrollment.
The VSCS understands the importance of athletics at Castleton and its positive impact on students and enrollment. We anticipate that athletics will remain an important part of our campus community and enrollment strategy.