RANDOLPH, Vt. — On a chilly winter morning, the thermostat in Vermont State University’s admissions office was notably low. This ‘efficiency’ was humorously noted by David Bergh, the university’s president, but it highlights a serious issue: the financial challenges threatening public universities. Declines in enrollment and revenue have put Vermont’s public university system at risk, raising concerns about potential closures.
While much focus is on private colleges closing—17 are expected to shut down in 2024—public institutions are also in crisis. Across the U.S., state universities are merging or closing campuses, often in areas with limited higher education access. Vermont’s situation exemplifies the complex challenges in adapting to these pressures.
“Public institutions are not exempt from the challenges” facing higher education, Bergh said. “We are already seeing it, and we’re going to see more of it, and it’s particularly acute in some more rural states, where there’s a real need to balance limited resources but maintain access for students.”
Vermont has become a case study in the difficulty of adapting public colleges to modern needs. State Rep. Lynn Dickinson noted the demographic decline of college-age students, excess campus infrastructure, and evolving workforce demands are hitting public institutions hard. Mergers have already occurred in Pennsylvania, Georgia, California, and Minnesota, with campuses closed in Ohio and Wisconsin. New Hampshire is considering a similar merger.
The impacts of closing campuses are profound. In Wisconsin, the closure of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Fox Cities campus after a long enrollment decline marks the sixth public campus shut since 2023. “We’ve had this institution for 60 years in our community, and now it’s gone,” said Thomas Nelson, Outagamie County executive.
Many rural communities rely heavily on their local universities. “There really isn’t a lot beyond the university,” Nelson said, emphasizing the economic and employment impacts of closures. Political pressures complicate decisions further, as state officials often resist closures due to their vested interests.
Vermont’s resistance to closing campuses led to a merger plan instead, but the process was turbulent. Initial proposals to shut campuses were met with public outcry and political pushback, leading to a merger of institutions under Vermont State University. However, this has proven contentious, with staff reductions and program cuts sparking protests.
“What we needed to do was save the Vermont State Colleges System as a whole,” said Jeb Spaulding, former chancellor. The system faced high costs with too much infrastructure and declining student numbers. Despite plans for consolidation and spending cuts, backlash led to the resignation of leaders and a reevaluation of strategies.
Although Vermont State University is now operational, the transition has been rocky. Freshman enrollment has dropped, and the system continues to face financial challenges. The attempt to go all-digital with libraries and move sports programs was reversed after significant pushback from students and faculty.
Current president David Bergh acknowledges the lingering issues and the need for continued adaptation. Enrollment has seen a slight uptick, but the system needs to improve its internal communication and coordination. As institutions merge, students benefit from increased course offerings across campuses, though the process remains complex.
Despite the difficulties, keeping campuses open is crucial for access to education in rural areas. The ongoing challenges highlight the broader pressures on public universities nationwide, with Vermont’s experience serving as a warning for other states.
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