Vermont State Colleges board approves budget package, modest tuition increases and reappoints CCV president and system chancellor
June 14, 2025 | Vermont States Colleges, Public Universities: Board of Trustees Meetings, School Districts, Vermont
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The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees on June 14 approved a fiscal 2026 system operating budget that anticipates a $4.9 million deficit, endorsed modest tuition increases for system institutions and reappointed two senior leaders after an executive session.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the systemwide FY26 operating budget and related tuition proposals for the 2025–26 academic year. Trustees approved a 3.5% tuition increase recommended for both the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont State University (VTSU); CCV's increase was presented as an additional $10 per credit, and VTSU requested a 5% increase tied to the room-and-board (meals) component. The board voted to approve the consent agenda by voice vote.
Why it matters: The FY26 budget includes a $4.9 million shortfall, just under the $5.0 million legislative “bridge” the system has relied on for several years. Trustees and administrators described FY26 as the final year of that planned bridge funding, with an expectation that the system will aim for structural balance in subsequent years.
Board and committee discussion: Finance and facilities committee members reviewed the budget and the tuition requests at a May 12 committee meeting and recommended the measures to the full board. Committee members said the tuition changes reflect inflationary pressure and program needs after several years of largely flat tuition. Trustees and staff emphasized that the FY26 deficit is within the planned range for the multi‑year plan to eliminate the system’s structural gap.
Administrators flagged external funding risks that could force future budget changes. President Judy of CCV warned that pending federal proposals — including proposals discussed in recent federal budget proposals affecting Pell eligibility, TRIO and GEAR UP funding, and possible shifts to the Carl Perkins career and technical education program — could have “huge budget implications for CCV and for VTSU if these came to pass,” and said the system is actively engaged in advocacy and would return to the board with any required budget modifications.
Other items and votes: The board moved into executive session under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(2), (3) and (6) to discuss real estate options, personnel matters and exempt records. After returning from executive session, trustees made and approved two personnel actions by voice vote:
- Reappointment of the president of the Community College of Vermont (President Judy). The board approved the reappointment motion following executive-session discussion.
- Extension of the chancellor’s contract: trustees approved a three‑year extension for the chancellor, with specific terms to be finalized by the executive committee.
Board operations: Trustees also approved an 18‑month board and committee meeting schedule through the next calendar year (an action intended to provide scheduling certainty for volunteer trustees), and discussed adding graduation dates to future schedules so trustees can plan visits to ceremonies.
Committee reports: Trustees received brief committee updates including the nominating committee’s officer recommendations, the audit and risk committee’s review of single-audit and financial statement planning, and a diversity, equity and inclusion committee update describing campus DEI activities. The education, personnel and student life committee reviewed policy alignment work and the ongoing development of an agriculture program, and asked for continued updates as that program proceeds through faculty and board approval steps.
What’s next: Board leadership said the administration will monitor federal and state funding developments closely and return to the board with any necessary budget modifications. Trustees noted FY26 is the final year of the $5 million legislative bridge and emphasized the system-wide effort to reach structural balance in subsequent years.
Ending: The meeting concluded after routine business and scheduling items; trustees adjourned following the votes and the announcements of upcoming meetings and a retreat in November.
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the systemwide FY26 operating budget and related tuition proposals for the 2025–26 academic year. Trustees approved a 3.5% tuition increase recommended for both the Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Vermont State University (VTSU); CCV's increase was presented as an additional $10 per credit, and VTSU requested a 5% increase tied to the room-and-board (meals) component. The board voted to approve the consent agenda by voice vote.
Why it matters: The FY26 budget includes a $4.9 million shortfall, just under the $5.0 million legislative “bridge” the system has relied on for several years. Trustees and administrators described FY26 as the final year of that planned bridge funding, with an expectation that the system will aim for structural balance in subsequent years.
Board and committee discussion: Finance and facilities committee members reviewed the budget and the tuition requests at a May 12 committee meeting and recommended the measures to the full board. Committee members said the tuition changes reflect inflationary pressure and program needs after several years of largely flat tuition. Trustees and staff emphasized that the FY26 deficit is within the planned range for the multi‑year plan to eliminate the system’s structural gap.
Administrators flagged external funding risks that could force future budget changes. President Judy of CCV warned that pending federal proposals — including proposals discussed in recent federal budget proposals affecting Pell eligibility, TRIO and GEAR UP funding, and possible shifts to the Carl Perkins career and technical education program — could have “huge budget implications for CCV and for VTSU if these came to pass,” and said the system is actively engaged in advocacy and would return to the board with any required budget modifications.
Other items and votes: The board moved into executive session under 1 V.S.A. §313(a)(2), (3) and (6) to discuss real estate options, personnel matters and exempt records. After returning from executive session, trustees made and approved two personnel actions by voice vote:
- Reappointment of the president of the Community College of Vermont (President Judy). The board approved the reappointment motion following executive-session discussion.
- Extension of the chancellor’s contract: trustees approved a three‑year extension for the chancellor, with specific terms to be finalized by the executive committee.
Board operations: Trustees also approved an 18‑month board and committee meeting schedule through the next calendar year (an action intended to provide scheduling certainty for volunteer trustees), and discussed adding graduation dates to future schedules so trustees can plan visits to ceremonies.
Committee reports: Trustees received brief committee updates including the nominating committee’s officer recommendations, the audit and risk committee’s review of single-audit and financial statement planning, and a diversity, equity and inclusion committee update describing campus DEI activities. The education, personnel and student life committee reviewed policy alignment work and the ongoing development of an agriculture program, and asked for continued updates as that program proceeds through faculty and board approval steps.
What’s next: Board leadership said the administration will monitor federal and state funding developments closely and return to the board with any necessary budget modifications. Trustees noted FY26 is the final year of the $5 million legislative bridge and emphasized the system-wide effort to reach structural balance in subsequent years.
Ending: The meeting concluded after routine business and scheduling items; trustees adjourned following the votes and the announcements of upcoming meetings and a retreat in November.
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