Small colleges across New England face a set of financial and demographic challenges that have proven insurmountable for some schools. Exactly what are those challenges, and how do Vermont’s remaining independent colleges plan to adapt in order to survive?
As part of a fellowship from the Education Writers Association, VPR’s Amy Kolb Noyes has investigated these questions for a good six months. All of her reporting can be found on this page, including a short documentary video, a map of all the state’s colleges with accompanying video clips, a college closure timeline and web + audio stories, including a Brave Little State episode.
A Short Documentary
Watch our exclusive documentary video, which uncovers the problems Vermont’s small, independent colleges are facing and how they plan to adapt to rapid changes in higher education.
A Map Of Vermont’s Colleges
College Closure Timeline
In 2016, Burlington College was shuttered after years of financial woes. Now, people in higher education circles in Vermont point to Burlington College as the first domino to fall.
- May 2016: Burlington College closes.
- March 2019: Southern Vermont College announces it will close after spring semester. Later in the month, College of St. Joseph also announces it will stop teaching after the semester.
- November 2019: Marlboro College announces plan to merge with Emerson College, in Boston, which would close the Vermont campus.
Web + Audio Stories On VPR
Credits
Syllabus For Survival is a production of Vermont Public Radio. Amy Kolb Noyes reported these stories. John Billingsley produced video, and Elodie Reed provided digital support. Sarah Ashworth is VPR’s Vice President of News. Graphic by Lara Dickson. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to the Education Writers Association for support through a 2019 Reporting Fellowship.