VLS Chair Glenn Berger, Graduate School Dean Jennifer Rushlow and Law School Dean Beth McCormack, with the schools new branding in Burlington Tuesday. VBM photos.
Part of Major Restructuring, Expansion-driven Growth Plan in Burlington, gift is largest in school history
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Law School today announced that on July 1 it will become Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS). It will add three master’s degree programs and expand in Burlington. This is part of a major restructuring and long-term growth plan that will see the school double down on its public interest mission and transition to a graduate institution housing two schools – law and graduate. The new vision is bolstered by an anonymous $8 million donation to the school.
The creation of a new graduate school on par with the existing law school and resulting name change are part of a new strategic plan developed by faculty and staff and approved by the board of trustees, and reflects the growing interest from students for cross-disciplinary approaches to social justice and an all-in commitment to public interest law and policy.
The strategic plan builds on the schools recognized strengths in environmental law and policy and justice reform.
“Nearly two years ago, we began a process to chart the school’s future with input from hundreds of faculty, staff, trustees, students and the community,” said Glenn Berger JD’78, chair of the school’s board of trustees. “We’re excited to today announce a bold vision for Vermont Law and Graduate School, with a new name and structure that will elevate our leading-edge graduate programming, increase enrollment and strengthen our commitment to social change.”
Berger said the process began in November 2019 and was not deterred by the pandemic, as plans moved forward remotely as needed.
The donation came after the restructuring process had begun, Berger.
On the day VLGS announced its new beginnings, the school also revealed the largest gift in its nearly 50-year history.
An anonymous donor has committed to giving $8 million to the school over a three-year period, with the funding directly supporting the plan’s initiatives as well as the school’s signature environmental programs.
“This transformative gift signals extraordinary support for the school’s new direction and creates tremendous momentum for the strategic plan’s implementation,” said Berger.
Also included in the plan are changes to the school’s master’s degree offerings, including three new degrees, that will enhance the rigor of the school’s master’s programs, provide greater relevancy and value to today’s students, and respond to the world’s most pressing needs.
The new degrees, a Master of Climate and Environmental Policy (residential and online), an Executive Master of Environmental Policy (online only), and a Master of Animal Protection Policy (residential and online), are public policy degrees that feature a robust set of core and environmental policy courses.
The restorative justice and hybrid programs will be expanded in Burlington, which will include a new residential component.
Vermont Law’s headquarters will remain in South Royalton.
VLS has had its up and downs financially, with staffing and finances. But Interim Dean Beth McCormack said the school has had three straight budget surpluses.
She said law schools across the country have been troubled by a declining law school enrollment, as VLS has.
McCormack said they currently have about 450 residential students and 150 remote. She said they hope to add another 100 students with this expansion.
McCormack said these new programs will help draw more students and therefore bring in more revenue. Also, there will be no tuition increase for the coming year.
The name change will become official July 1, while the new academic courses will commence in September 2023.
VLS press conference Tuesday morning in Burlington.
Further announcements about the school’s environmental degrees and programs are expected in August 2022.
The structural and programmatic changes announced today augment two major components of the strategic plan announced earlier this year – the creation of a stand-alone president position and the launch of part-time Online Hybrid JD program.
Bifurcating what has up to this point been a joint president/dean position will allow the president to have an enhanced focus on the higher level strategies and external relationships that are important to the future of the school, while the new part-time Online Hybrid JD program will allow working professionals to earn a law degree from anywhere in the country.
Vermont Law School and Vermont Graduate School will each have their own respective deans.
“The expanded programming will meet the growing base of non-traditional students and students seeking online opportunities, and reflects a refined vision for how to best prepare students for success,” said Rodney Smolla, the higher education leader and professor, litigator, scholar, and author who in April was tapped by the board of trustees to be the inaugural VLGS President, beginning on July 1. “The social justice challenges the world faces today are complex and require an ever-evolving set of tools and skills to solve them. Law degrees, master’s degrees, certificates and specialized training: they all have a role.”
The strategic plan was the result of an 18-month process that ultimately included more than 60 faculty and staff participating in working groups and committees. They solicited and received feedback from more than 700 alumni, students, prospective students, staff, faculty, and funders through surveys, town halls, focus groups, Q&A sessions, facilitated discussion groups and more. This plan is the collective best work of an immensely talented and dedicated school community.
“Faced with a decision about the direction of our institution, the Vermont Law and Graduate School community overwhelmingly chose to go all-in on a future as a social change, public interest institution,” said Smolla. “This is a bold new direction that addresses the growing interest of students who want to make the world a better place.”
In April, the board of trustees announced the hiring of Smolla as the first VLGS president, and extended Beth McCormack's term as interim law school dean and named Jennifer Rushlow interim dean of the new graduate school.
Both will serve in those roles through the 22/23 academic year while national searches are conducted. Dean Rushlow will also continue to lead the Environmental Law Center.
Deans Jennifer Rushlow, left, and Beth McCormack.
About Vermont Law School
Vermont Law School, a private, independent institution, is home to the nation’s premier environmental law program. VLS offers a juris doctor curriculum that emphasizes public service; four master’s degrees-Master of Environmental Law and Policy, Master of Energy Regulation and Law, Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy, and Master of Arts in Restorative Justice; and four post-JD degrees-LLM in American Legal Studies (for foreign-trained lawyers), LLM in Energy Law, LLM in Environmental Law, and an LLM in Food and Agriculture Law. The school features innovative experiential programs and is home to the Environmental Law Center, South Royalton Legal Clinic, Environmental Advocacy Clinic, Energy Clinic, Food and Agriculture Clinic, Environmental Justice Clinic, and Center for Justice Reform. For more information, visit vermontlaw.edu, find us on Facebook, and follow VLS on Twitter and Instagram.
SOUTH ROYALTON & BURLINGTON (June 21, 2022) – Vermont Law School