Vermont Business Magazine College of St Joseph president Dr Jennifer L Scott announced today in a letter to the college community that a potential institutional partner has backed out, thus forcing the college to close its doors "given our current accreditation deadline and critical financial condition." The Rutland college is the third in southwestern Vermont to announce its closing this year. Students have been offered a teach-out arrangement with nearby Castleton University. Green Mountain College in Poultney announced it was closing in January and Southern Vermont College in Bennington announced in early March that it also would close.
LETTER
Dr. Jennifer L. Scott, President
March 21, 2019
It is with heavy heart and great disappointment that I must deliver the news that our potential institutional partner has elected to not move forward with us. Creating and implementing a thoughtful plan for a deep affiliation proved to be too great of a feat given our current accreditation deadline and critical financial condition. Therefore, while we have new evidence for the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) that is material to our financial resources, including the sale of assets and a successful multi-year pledge campaign, the collective impact of this material evidence will not reach NECHE’s threshold of significance.
To that end, the adverse action by the New England Commission of Higher Education to withdraw the college’s accreditation at the end of August, and to cease instruction at the end of the Spring semester, will be upheld. We have activated our Teach-Out plan with Castleton University and have formalized agreements with a number of additional colleges to provide our students with the best possible opportunities to continue their studies and earn their college degree. Our primary focus and desire is to take care of the immediate needs of our students and to support this transition for our entire community.
While we have a lot of future decisions to make about the business of the college, right now we are solely focused on our responsibility to our students, staff and faculty.
I would like to thank each and every member of this wonderful community – students, faculty, staff, and alumni – as well as the greater Rutland Community, for the outpouring of support during this past year. I would also like to recognize the College’s Board of Trustees for their courage, their guidance, and their unwavering support as we fought tirelessly for the future of CSJ.
Most Sincerely,
Jennifer
—
Dr. Jennifer L. Scott
CSJ FAQS FOR STUDENTS REGARDING THE TEACH-OUT OPTION
Q: What is a teach-out?
A teach-out is a way to provide a continuation of academic programming in the face of potential closure of a college. Our teach-out agreement with Castleton University ensures the equitable treatment of CSJ students and a reasonable opportunity for students to complete their program of study should CSJ cease instruction in one or more programs. This agreement will enable all CSJ students currently enrolled in the affected degree programs, and who are in good academic standing and interested in transferring, to complete their undergraduate or graduate studies at CU.
Q: When does the teach-out agreement with Castleton University go into effect?
The teach-out agreement with Castleton University goes into effect when CSJ announces its intention to cease instruction in one or more programs.
Q: How much will it cost me to transfer to CU under the teach-out plan?
Castleton University will waive admission application fees for students applying through this teach-out agreement. Students applying through this teach-out agreement will pay the same tuition, fees, and room and board at CU that they had been charged in their respective programs and at their respective degree levels at CSJ, without any additional charges, for the first transfer year. For each additional year up to three years, annual increases to tuition or other charges imposed by CU Board of Trustees shall not exceed 3% of the initial charges for the transfer year. After four years, tuition, fees, and room and board will be charged at the equivalent rate for CU students.
Q: Will I have to pay to have my transcript released from CSJ to CU (or other institution)?
CSJ will release up to 5 transcripts per student at no cost to the student. The student will be charged the posted transcript fee for any additional transcript requests.
Q: Will my credits from CSJ transfer to CU under the teach-out plan?
Castleton University will accept all earned credit, inclusive of those credits earned at CSJ and those credits that have been previously accepted in transfer by CSJ based on CSJ’s completed evaluation of applicable credit.
Q: Will I have to earn more credits at CU in order to complete my degree program?
Student enrolling at CU under the teach-out agreement will be required to meet CU’s program credit requirement. In cases where CU requires fewer credits than CSJ to complete the same degree, the student will have fewer credits to earn once transferred. In cases where CU requires more credits than CSJ to complete the same degree, the student will have more credits to earn for that degree once transferred. Enrollment counselors at CU will assist students in choosing a path that works best for them.
Q: How long do I have to transfer to CU under the teach-out plan?
Any currently enrolled CSJ student who fails to apply, be accepted, and matriculate at CU by Fall 2019 semester shall be excluded from this Agreement.
Q: Will the teach-out agreement permit me to join an athletics team at CU?
CSJ student-athletes who enroll at Castleton University pursuant to the teach-out agreement will be required to try out for CU athletic teams if they wish to participate in athletics at CU.
Q: Will my credits transfer to institutions other than CU?
If you decide to transfer to another college or university, acceptance of transfer credits is always the prerogative of the “receiving” institution. Students should contact the institution to which they wish to transfer for further information.
Q: What assistance will I have in transferring to either CU or another institution?
Official transcripts and other pertinent records will be provided by CSJ to CU at no cost for all students who officially enroll at CU pursuant to the teach-out agreement. CU will permanently house these records, which will arrive within 10 days of each student finalizing with the CU Business Office.
If you choose to transfer to a new institution, you will need to apply to those colleges/universities and meet the admissions deadlines for those schools. You have ample time, and CSJ staff will assist you in that process should you choose to go that route.
Q: Will I be allowed to transfer to CU or another institution if I have a balance on my CSJ student account?
According to CSJ policy, a “hold” will be placed on any transcript request if a student has an outstanding balance on his/her student account. Student accounts must be paid in full by 5/7/2019 in order to have a transcript released to another institution. If you have any questions about your student account, contact the Business office.
Q: Will there be sessions available to students to provide additional information?
In the coming days, CSJ staff and faculty will host group information sessions and individual student meetings to provide additional information to students and to answer questions that arise.
CU enrollment and information sessions will be schedule on-site at CSJ in the coming days. Students will be notified of these dates once scheduled.
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