Sustaining the rural economy
The ongoing discussion about the future of the Vermont State Colleges system goes well beyond any one campus. It also goes to the heart of economic development in rural Vermont.
To function and serve its citizens well, a society needs a robust system of education, which must include strong college-level educational opportunities. Over decades, these institutions have also become economics drivers through being major local employers. Northern Vermont University's Johnson campus has been in that town for over 50 years, making it foundational to the local economy. The anger and fear many Vermonters felt - and are still feeling - after the recent proposal to close the state college campuses in Lyndon, Johnson and Randolph showed how crucial those locations are.
That proposal was taken off the table, and state college officials have welcomed the input of legislators and the governor as a new plan is crafted. Reports have said the state college system will run out of operating capital by September, if nothing changes - which adds pronounced urgency to the situation. The state colleges' long-standing financial issues took a perilous dive in the COVID-19 crisis, dropping the current-year deficit to $10 million.
Some have suggested using recent federal stimulus money to plug the gap. State Rep. Charlie Kimbell, of Woodstock, is a member of the House Rural Economic Development Working Group. When asked about the federal money, Kimbell said some of the $1.2 billion from federal aid package may at least provide a one-year bridge loan for the state college system. But he said an important part of that discussion is what the right structure would be for the system moving forward.
"Clearly, what's in place right now is not sustainable," Kimbell said.
Like many legislators in recent days, he has received numerous calls and emails from concerned students, professors and alumni, as well as businesses who hire out of the state college system.
"I certainly empathize with them," he said.
That said, higher education is in for some changes, and enrollment has not kept pace with expenses for years.
Speaking about the northern campuses, Kimbell said, "Reinvigorating NVU into a more agile and intimate setting is what's going to work, I think, long term."
The great apprehension many still have about the future of these campuses is understandable. They form the local bedrock of their communities, employing neighbors and providing economic vitality for downtowns. That said, big changes are likely still on the way, at some point, in some form. As that plan is crafted, hopefully it will be one that holds the economic impact of these campuses in equal consideration to the need for cutting costs. With the recent closures of multiple private colleges in the past two years, Vermont's economic and educational landscapes cannot withstand a heavy jolt to local state colleges. All Vermonters have an interest in seeing them succeed, and innovation, collaboration and openness will be the guiding posts toward a truly unified plan.
-Gareth Henderson
