Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Board of Trustees today approved President Suresh Garimella’s plan to continue helping students and families by extending UVM’s tuition freeze for a fourth consecutive year.
“Only a small number of universities in the country have frozen tuition for four years,” said board chair Ron Lumbra. “This not only helps students and families but also helps position UVM for continued success in a highly competitive higher education environment, which is why our board continues to enthusiastically support President Garimella’s efforts in this area. Actions indeed speak much louder than words.”
Board approval results in no increase for the 2022-2023 academic year for all students regardless of their degree level or residency status. The decision results in the Class of 2023 completing four years of study at UVM paying the same for tuition as they did when they started. Undergraduate in-state tuition is $16,392; out-of-state is $41,280.
Under Garimella’s proposal approved today, the undergraduate student comprehensive fee will also remain frozen, the graduate student comprehensive fee will be reduced by $250, and room and board charges will remain flat for the third consecutive year. Room and board costs had been rising an average of 3.2% before Garimella proposed freezing them two years ago.
“I am grateful for the board’s approval,” said Garimella. “Affordability and access are core elements of the Amplifying Our Impact strategic vision, and especially important while many are still finding their way out of the economic stress of the pandemic. Cumulative savings over four years are significant. For undergraduates, $4,500 for Vermont students and $8,900 for out-of-state students.”
Garimella first announced plans to keep tuition frozen for a fourth consecutive year in September.
The board also received updates and acted on a variety of topics, including:
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As a result of ongoing, constructive dialogue with student leaders, UVM established a variety of new programs and initiatives over the last six months to address needs related to efforts to prevent and address incidents of sexual misconduct, including building a partnership with HOPE Works to provide 24/7 support to anyone impacted by sexual misconduct; ongoing training and professional development for staff who support students following reports of sexual misconduct; expansion of the university’s Sexual Misconduct Response Team; creation of a Sexual Violence Prevention Council; recruitment for the new role of Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator; and enhanced annual sexual misconduct prevention and education training for every student. The board also heard about the university’s decision to implement all recommendations from an independent, external review of the Title IX-related efforts of the university’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity.
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The board authorized academic program changes previously approved by the Faculty Senate. The university is systematically reviewing programs with low-enrollment and/or low graduation rates to align resources more closely with strategic priorities, market demands, and long-term financial sustainability.
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Board members heard presentations from three students about their internship experiences: Skylar Bagdon ‘23, technology commercialization intern with the UVM Innovations Office/Academic Research Commercialization (ARC) Program; Dorcas Lohese ‘22, communications intern with the College of Arts and Sciences’ Communities of Practice program; and Risa Repetto ‘22, business analytics intern with GlobalFoundries.
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Trustees approved the creation of a Certificate of Graduate Study and a Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Education for Sustainability in the Graduate College in conjunction with the College of Education and Social Services.
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Trustees received an update regarding a potential academic reorganization that will capitalize on the university’s strengths while ensuring a sustainable financial future. The goal is to optimize academic programs, research opportunities, and engagement with Vermont for future generations.
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Trustees received an update and discussed fundraising progress with the UVM Foundation president.
About the University of Vermont
Since 1791, the University of Vermont has worked to move humankind forward. UVM’s strengths align with the most pressing needs of our time: the health of our societies and the health of our environment. Our size—large enough to offer a breadth of ideas, resources, and opportunities, yet intimate enough to enable close faculty-student mentorship across all levels of study—allows us to pursue these interconnected issues through cross-disciplinary research and collaboration. Providing an unparalleled educational experience for our students, and ensuring their success, are at the core of what we do. As one of the nation’s first land grant universities, UVM advances Vermont and the broader society through the discovery and application of new knowledge.
Source: BURLINGTON, Vt. — University of Vermont 10.29.2021