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Joint Assembly Elects Three Trustees to University of Vermont Board; Scott Beck Tops Ballot
Summary
In a Feb. 20, 2025 joint assembly, legislators voted by ballot to fill three six-year trustee vacancies at the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College; Senator Scott Beck, Representative Carol Ode and Representative John Bartholomew were elected under a plurality procedure set by JRS 13.
The Vermont General Assembly, meeting in joint assembly on Feb. 20, 2025, elected three trustees to the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College for six-year terms commencing March 1, 2025.
Under temporary rules adopted for the election (JRS 13), the assembly used a plurality ballot: each member could vote for up to three candidates on a single ballot, and the three candidates receiving the most votes would be declared elected. Five legislative candidates were placed in nomination: Representative John Bartholomew of Hartland; Senator Scott Beck of the Caledonia District; Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie of Hartford; Representative Troy Hedrick of Burlington; and Representative Carol Ode of Burlington.
Nominators and seconders outlined each candidate's experience. Representative Stevens nominated John Bartholomew, citing his institutional management experience and service on legislative committees and saying Bartholomew "understands large institutions." Senator Chittenden nominated Senator Scott Beck, noting Beck's long involvement in public higher education and calling for trustees who support accessibility and inclusion. Representative Lalonde, nominating Carol Ode for reelection, cited Ode's work on student housing and affordability and said Ode "supported UVM's policy that allows Vermont families with incomes under $100,000 to send their students to UVM tuition free." Other nominators highlighted candidates' backgrounds in education, public service, and higher-education administration.
Tellers appointed by the chair distributed and collected ballots, accompanied by instructions from the chair about the plurality procedure, the requirement to remain seated during counting, and a reminder not to sign ballots. The tellers reported vote totals as follows: Senator Scott Beck 115 votes; Representative Carol Ode 90 votes; Representative John Bartholomew 65 votes; Representative Troy Hedrick 58 votes; Representative Kevin "Coach" Christie 43 votes; other write-ins 2 votes. The chair announced that the three candidates receiving the greatest number of votes — Senator Scott Beck, Representative Carol Ode, and Representative John Bartholomew — were declared duly elected to six-year terms commencing March 1, 2025.
The assembly's instructions clarified that in the event of a tie for one or more vacancies voting would continue on successive ballots until vacancies were filled; that did not occur. The chair also made procedural remarks that joint-rule procedures and 2 V.S.A. guidance govern conduct of the ballot vote. After the results were declared, the chair dissolved the joint assembly and returned members to their respective chambers.
