The University of Vermont Board of Trustees convened for its Fall 2025 meeting, the first in UVM President Marlene Tromp’s tenure. Presentations to trustees by Tromp and other university leaders as well as student, faculty and staff representatives shared a focus on the university’s future, including an update on the strategic planning process initiated in September and a showcase of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The meeting also included the board’s annual approval of tuition rates for the upcoming academic year.

Morning Committee of the Whole conversations began with remarks from Chair Cindy Barnhart, who welcomed Tromp to her first board meeting and thanked staff who worked to make the presidential installation events in September a joyous occasion, and featured a presentation on the achievements of the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources by Dean Peter Newman. The Rubenstein School, now home to over 1,285 undergraduates and 114 graduate students, has seen undergraduate enrollment more than double since 2015. Newman highlighted the school’s innovative curriculum, high retention rates, and robust research enterprise, which attracted $15.8 million in extramural funding in FY25—a 277% increase since 2015. The school’s commitment to environmental problem-solving and hands-on learning continues to position UVM as a national leader in sustainability and natural resources education.

Trustees took action to approve tuition rates for the 2026-27 academic year, following discussion in the Budget, Finance and Investment Committee. In-state tuition will rise by 2% to $16,606, while out-of-state tuition will increase by 4.5% to $44,647. Room and board rates will increase 3.5% for fiscal year 2027. In the committee meeting, Vice President for Finance and Administration Alicia Estey, Vice President for Enrollment Management Jay Jacobs, and University Budget Director Shari Bergquist outlined the balance of UVM’s goal of affordability and the operating costs and necessary investments in the student experience covered by tuition and fees. Jacobs also highlighted the university’s commitment to affordability demonstrated by the UVM Promise Program, entering its fourth year, which allows students from Vermont families earning up to $100,000 to attend UVM tuition-free and now benefits more than 200 Vermonters each year.

The Educational Policy and Institutional Resources Committee featured a presentation from Interim Provost Linda Schadler and Susanmarie Harrington, Professor of English and Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and Writing in the Disciplines Program, on the university’s progress on exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI in teaching and learning. Harrington and Schadler outlined ongoing work of the university AI Task Force and highlighted the accomplishments of the provost’s working group on AI and Pedagogy, which has yielded an important update to the Code of Academic Integrity and guiding principles for faculty use of AI in pedagogy. The Writing in the Disciplines Program will have hosted more than 50 workshops on AI use in instruction by the end of the fall semester.

Friday’s meetings concluded with a featured presentation from the Strategic Planning Committee, led by the committee’s chair, Katie Shepherd, Dean of the College of Education and Social Services. Shepherd outlined the committee’s progress in developing a plan for UVM through a process that emphasizes broad engagement and transparency. Over 20 listening sessions have already been held, drawing input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and university leaders. Approximately two dozen more listening sessions are planned for coming weeks. The draft plan, set to be finalized and presented for Board approval in February, will aim to position UVM for its near and longer-term future, with strategic pillars focused on student success, values-driven research, expanded access and partnerships, and excellence in infrastructure and people.

In addition to approving resolutions setting tuition and fees for 2026-27, the board also heard an update on the university’s Enterprise Risk Management program and took the following action:

• Approved the creation of a Ph.D. in Computational Studies of Culture and Society in the Graduate College.
• Adopted amendments to the Larner College of Medicine Faculty Handbook.
• Approved a resolution and expressed their deep appreciation for the service of Ron Lumbra, who recently stepped down from the board after 11 years of service, including five as Chair.