UVM interim president says university is 'stable and thriving,' requests $1M for tech hub and $5M over five years for cancer center

Interim University of Vermont President Patty Prelock told the Appropriations Committee on Feb. 7 that UVM is “stable and thriving” and outlined budget priorities and program initiatives that she said support Vermont’s workforce and public health needs.

Prelock emphasized access and outcomes, saying about 3,664 Vermont students attend UVM — roughly one quarter of undergraduate enrollment — and that the university’s UVM Promise now ensures Vermont households earning $100,000 or less pay no tuition. She said about 46% of undergraduates attend tuition‑free because of direct institutional support and roughly 91% receive some scholarship or financial aid.

Prelock highlighted several statewide contributions and proposals. She described collaboration with Vermont State University, Vermont Technical College and the Community College of Vermont to form a nursing consortium aimed at increasing the number of nurses trained in the state; combined, the institutions graduate roughly 500 nurses a year, while Prelock said the state will need about 9,000 new nurses over the next decade. She said the university is working to boost capacity and create flexible pathways for career changers.

On economic development and research, Prelock said UVM is the pass‑through for a $23 million federal tech‑hub award and requested $1 million in one‑time state funding to be matched by GlobalFoundries. The money would support Vermont companies developing gallium‑nitride semiconductor technologies and associated workforce development, she said.

Prelock also asked for $5 million spread over five years for the Vermont Cancer Center, arguing that an infusion of state support would help the center pursue National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation and expand research and services for rural communities that have higher incidence rates for some cancers. “That allows us to be in the top 5% of cancer centers in our country,” Prelock said of NCI designation, and she tied the request to rural health outcomes.

She described a new “planetary health” initiative intended to coordinate research, education and community outreach across UVM centers and institutes on topics that intersect environment and health, including work on forest‑fire impacts on childhood asthma, nature and mental health studies, water quality and agricultural responses to climate change.

Prelock closed by noting the governor’s budget included a 3% increase to UVM’s base funding. Committee members asked technical questions about program sustainability and the front‑door Office of Engagement; Prelock said that office is designed to be sustainable through a mix of general funds and grants and that Larner College or similar institutes have provided federal grant support to expand community grants and research partnerships.

No formal committee votes were recorded during the session; Prelock said UVM would provide written details of the $1 million tech‑hub request upon request.