Current News

Vermont Busness Magazine The Vermont State Colleges system (VSC) has begun a process to develop strategic alliances between Johnson State College and Lyndon State College, as well as between Vermont Technical College and Community College of Vermont. These alliances would be intended to provide sustainable financial savings in operations, while preserving or improving academic and support services for students. The VSC Long Range Planning Committee has directed the presidents of those colleges to work with the Chancellor’s Office to develop multiple options to provide greater coordination and possible consolidation of functions for consideration by the Board of Trustees, with the expectation the Board may take action on implementation of one or more options at its July meeting.

Vermont Business Magazine Norwich University has established its Peace and War Center to catalyze research, academics, internships, conferences and study or travel abroad to advance understanding of the many facets of the topic. The goals of the center are to advance interdisciplinary knowledge for students, scholars, and practitioners on the relationship between peace and warfare at local, national, and global levels. Its primary mission is to advance scholarship and deliberation on war, broadly defined, and its mitigation. Professor of Criminal Justice Travis Morris has been named inaugural director of the Peace and War Center.

by Mike Smith Something is brewing in Vermont. Whether it truly signifies a change or a shift in our politics and how we approach public policy remains to be seen, but there is certainly mounting evidence that something is afoot in this state. In the last election, a once-popular incumbent Democrat governor was nearly defeated by a political novice and underfunded Republican opponent in deep blue Vermont. The Vermont Republican Party gained seats in the State House for the first time in nearly two decades. And now Donald Trump arrives in the state — home of Sen. Bernie Sanders — and attracts a massive, enthusiastic audience.

Vermont Business Magazine From clinics and competitions, to beer and whiskey tastings, Vermont resorts have events and activities for all. Martin Luther King weekend plays host to fireworks and music and deals abound for families, military and more.

Vermont Business Magazine An extra day in February this year gives you that much more time to enjoy Vermont events. From evenings at cultural presentations to snow sport competitions and festivals, here’s a sampler of fun things to do on VermontVacation.com.

by Governor Peter Shumlin On Christmas Day, I burned brush on my farm in Putney – in a t-shirt. My experience was not unlike that of many Vermonters as we all lived through Vermont’s most tropical Christmas in memory, capping off the world’s warmest year on record. Climate change is here, and it is affecting the Vermont that we love, from our ski areas to our lakes. Now is the time to take every sensible action to combat it if we’re to have a shot at preserving a livable planet for our kids and grandkids.

by Gus Seelig, Executive Director, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board Last summer, US Senator Patrick Leahy helped break ground in Brattleboro for Red Clover Commons - 55 new apartments to replace housing for seniors and persons with disabilities that was severely damaged by Tropical Storm Irene and remains in harm’s way. In the fall, Governor Peter Shumlin was in Waterbury to hand keys to Tim and Aimee Smith along with their two young sons. Mr. Smith works in Vermont’s growing energy sector and was delighted to find an affordable home at the new South Main Apartments. These developments, along with 28 new homes in Woodstock, 14 new units for seniors in a historic building in Rutland, 28 renovated apartments in the heart of Lyndonville, 23 apartments under construction in Hinesburg and 24 units planned in Bennington, have much in common.

Vermont Business Magazine ANEW Place has announced that the 22nd Annual Helping Hands Gift Wrap Fundraiser, sponsored by North Country Federal Credit Union at the University Mall, was a rousing success. The Helping Hands Gift Wrap Booth was open every day from December 4th through December 24th during mall hours with wonderful volunteers ready to wrap Christmas presents for the community. More than 150 volunteers joined together for this Christmas tradition to work shifts at the booth and many volunteers generously worked multiple shifts. This fundraiser raised $12,500, all to benefit ANEW Place! This was a spirited community-wide effort that raised funds allowing for new beginnings for the homeless men and women in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine This Martin Luther King Day, when members of the college and local communities gather in Middlebury College’s Mead Chapel to celebrate King’s legacy, they will also celebrate the return of guest director Keith McCutchen and his powerhouse MLK Today Choir. The event on January 18 will mark McCutchen’s second appearance at Middlebury as conductor of the group, a community choir of students and townspeople. Last year’s performance featured a five piece jazz combo, which – together with the choir and fiery words from Dr King’s Selma speech – had the audience leaping to its feet several times. This year McCutchen, who is director of the Appalachian State University Gospel Choir, will present a brand new selection of spirituals, gospel tunes, jazz and contemporary music.

by Bill Schubart As the new legislative session ramps up, I’d like to offer some thoughts. Don’t micromanage complex issues. We already have too many laws and administrative statutes, many poorly drafted, ambiguous, or conflicting. Some actually confound good behavior. Our problems can’t be enacted away. They’re substantial and demand clarity of vision, courage, and leadership. A good captain looks over the bow of his ship, not the stern, and our two-year terms for governor and legislators confine us to short-term fixes for long-term issues. Senator Snelling is introducing legislation to move to a four-year term like the rest of the country —  except New Hampshire, which shares our fealty to the past and insouciance about the future. This issue surfaces every few years and ends up being torpedoed by nostalgic reasoning.

Vermont Business Magazine The Orchard has acquired all worldwide media rights to the documentary, The State of Marriage, from Floating World Pictures. The film will be available on iTunes and On Demand beginning May 31, 2016. The film chronicles the epic, two-decade struggle in Vermont that built the foundation for the entire marriage equality movement. Three extraordinary lawyers featured in the film - Susan Murray, Beth Robinson and Mary Bonauto – forged the legal, social, and political path in the 1990's that ultimately led to the US Supreme Court establishing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide.

Vermont Business Magazine Ten Johnson State College students completed internships and field experiences with area businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations during the fall 2015 semester with financial support from the Union Bank of Morrisville. The students received grants of $200 to $500 each from the JSC Student Internship Fund, which was launched one year ago with a $3,000 grant from Union Bank. Funds were allocated to students with financial need to cover expenses associated with these experiences due to the expenses associated with them, including transportation to and from work sites, fees for background checks and conferences, and the cost of necessary equipment.

Grant recipients included students majoring in biology, education, professional studies, psychology, sociology, and wellness and alternative medicine.  Intern job titles and host sites associated with the Union Bank grant this fall were: