University of Vermont trustees today voted to keep tuition frozen at the same rates for a fifth consecutive year. The Board of Trustees also reviewed a new campus plan that establishes a vision for facilities and infrastructure over the next decade and received updates on other topics.
Trustees approved President Suresh Garimella’s plan to keep tuition frozen at the same amount for a fifth consecutive year for all students, along with a fourth year of level room and board rates.
“Many families are struggling with inflation in today’s economy,” said Garimella. “UVM will not add to their challenges. It is more important than ever that we do all we can to help students and families afford a high-quality UVM education, and to keep our university accessible, affordable, and competitive.”
To further reinforce UVM’s commitment to student affordability and access, at the meeting Garimella announced the “UVM Promise,” an initiative that will guarantee full tuition to all dependent Vermont students with adjusted household income up to $60,000. The program, providing four years of full-tuition and comprehensive fees coverage, will begin with the class of first-year students and new transfer students entering in Fall 2023. Each incoming first-year class and new transfers will be eligible for the UVM Promise in subsequent years.
Each of these affordability initiatives is introduced by President Garimella in a short video message.
“I commend President Garimella and the administration for making the tuition freeze possible and launching the UVM Promise,” said Ron Lumbra, chair of UVM’s Board of Trustees. “The future of our state depends on a highly educated workforce. These initiatives will increase the number of ambitious graduates who choose Vermont to begin their careers, build businesses, and contribute in many other ways.”
The proposed campus plan, intended to guide land and physical plant development at UVM through 2032 sets guiding principles established by a variety of stakeholders and the administration. Dozens of meetings and listening sessions over the past year including faculty, staff, and students informed the plan which emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, wellness, inclusiveness, and accessibility.
“This campus plan represents the next stage in our university’s future,” said Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Cate. “UVM has a mix of dynamic new construction that incorporates best practices in energy efficiency and historic buildings with great character that could be renovated or repurposed to meet today’s needs. The plan gives us a guide to managing all of these resources thoughtfully.”
While the new plan focuses on improving existing facilities, some new construction will likely include additional on-campus housing for undergraduate students. It also recognizes the need to celebrate the campus community’s cultural diversity, and to ensure the campus is welcoming, accessible, and easy to navigate for people of all identities and abilities. Trustees will act on the plan at a future meeting.
Additionally, at this meeting:
- Garimella strongly condemned all forms of antisemitism in remarks to trustees. His remarks have been shared with news media and are available on the UVM website.
- Trustees received a construction update on work completed to date on the Athletics Multi-Purpose Center. The board appointed a work group who will study the project more closely and provide guidance to the full body in future meetings.
- Trustees adopted a university land acknowledgment statement. The statement is published on the UVM website.
- In actions supporting the university’s academic and research mission, trustees approved a new PhD in Social-Emotional and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education. Trustees terminated the B.S. in Athletic Training. The board also formalized the establishment of the Osher Center for Integrative Health first announced this spring.
