Vermont State University outlines program-array review, proposes consolidations and new credential strategies

Provost Nolan Atkins told trustees the goal of the program-array work is to "continue to evolve the Vermont State University program array to address some of the profound shifts that we're seeing in higher education" and to ensure programs meet student demand, align with workforce needs, and are fiscally sustainable.

Atkins summarized the review process and data sources: the system—s initial consolidation work beginning in 2021 using the RPK consulting recommendations, a second "optimization 2" round, Policy 109 metrics (historical enrollments, faculty FTE, credentials awarded, efficiency metrics such as average class size and student–faculty ratio, and fiscal analysis), and supplemental data from the Carnegie Higher Education Group on student demand, the competitive landscape and workforce alignment.

He reported VTSU—s current array includes 29 associate degrees, 58 bachelor—s degrees and 27 master—s degrees; headcount stands just over 5,000 with about 4,200 FTE. Average class size for the fall is approximately 13.7 students, below the institutional target of 18, which Atkins described as an efficiency challenge.

Options the provost said the committee is considering include: program consolidation (merging duplicate programs or consolidating multi-campus offerings), modality shifts (adding asynchronous online delivery or mixed modalities), targeted discontinuance (the provost identified seven programs under review that together enroll 58 students, roughly 1.1% of VTSU—s headcount), course-sharing to increase efficiency, conversion where appropriate to industry-recognized credentials, and formal pathway development in partnership with CCV.

Trustees pressed the office on methodology and workforce alignment. Trustee Bombardier asked whether the average class-size distribution was skewed; Atkins said it—s not a perfect bell curve and has a long tail of lower-enrollment sections. Trustees asked which labor-market data sources informed the work; Atkins said the RPK ratings (a/b/c methodology based on Vermont labor projections) were used historically, acknowledged questions about that dataset (noting engineering rated low under that approach), and said the Carnegie Group will provide an updated methodology and datasets to inform the next review cycle.

Atkins acknowledged that some certificates and short credentials are being added even while consolidation proceeds, giving as examples three new certificates tied to agricultural work (meat processing, regenerative grazing and livestock, and sawmill operations) developed from Randolph campus work. He emphasized that when discontinuances or consolidations are implemented, the university will prepare teach-out or transfer plans so affected students can complete their credentials or move to an appropriate program.

The committee will receive a fuller data update in February as part of the Policy 109 cycle and the chancellor will bring additional recommendations in February 2026.