Trustees Hike Tuition Across the VSC

Plates filled with food lined the tables where the Vermont State College Board of Trustees voted 9-4 to raise tuition for VSC students.

This is the first time in VSC history that the Board of Trustees voted on tuition increases for two years in advance. One notable trustee was not present to vote.

While Governor Peter Shumlin was present for the opening ceremony of the new Community College of Vermont campus in Rutland, he did not remain for the trustee meeting immediately following the ribbon cutting. This is despite his recent plea to the state legislature to make Vermont "the higher education state."

Chancellor Tim Donovan was in favor of the increase saying, "I'm happy to have the board's support of the proposal, but I know it's a difficult decision for all of us to come to terms with."

Student trustee for the VSC, John Kleinhans, a senior liberal studies major at LSC, was vocal about his opposition. "We put too much burden on students. It's time for us to really send a message to the students that we support them."

Throughout the meeting, some trustees wandered in and out to the buffet room, coming back with plates of spring rolls, almond bars, quiche and cookies. Over the next two years students attending VSC schools will be facing an 8.15% tuition increase—a quarter of which does not go to the colleges, but to paying retiree benefits through the GASBY 45 program.

"We have some long term obligations to retiring employees that have not been funded," Donovan explained. He noted that the board will also look to meet these obligations not only from tuition money, but through collective bargaining.

Without the increase in tuition, budget cuts would have had to be made at the colleges. Not everyone was pleased with the outcome, but it did not come as a shock.

"I expected the outcome would be such," Gordon Winters, vice chair of the board and one of four "no" votes, commented after the meeting. "I expected it, respect it, don't agree with it."

Kleinhans cited language used by the 1961 general assembly when it founded the VSC, "‘The Vermont State College's shall plan, supervise, administer and operate facilities for education above the high school level  supported in whole or in substantial part with state funds.'  That promise has been broken."   

Trustee Jim Masland defended the increase saying, "When we take away the things that enhance [student's] education, it lessens what they get when they get their diploma."

Ashley Fortin, an atmospheric science major at Lyndon State, believes her education is worth the hike, "I don't mind paying the extra. I think it's worth it."

However, exercise science sophomore Dan Rowe was not pleased.

"That really upsets me because I've already taken out so many loans to pay for college as it is. I already have to work two jobs, so it really hinders the hours I can put into school."

"I'm sympathetic [to student's], but we have all hit a rough spot," Masland said during the meeting.

As the trustees packed up their iPads and brought their empty plates to the buffet room, all that lined the tables were nameplates and leftover crumbs.

"I'll be having some more of this yummy food before I leave," Gary Moore, chair of the board, laughed.