State colleges to undergo independent financial assessment

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Lawmakers are assessing the financial future of Vermont State Colleges amid talks last month of shutting down three campuses.

Gov. Phil Scott and state legislators decided to have an independent financial assessment performed on the colleges, WCAX reported Thursday.

The decision follows a proposal from the college system’s chancellor Jeb Spaulding to close both Northern Vermont University campuses and the Vermont Technical College campus in Randolph.

The proposal to the system facing a deficit between $7 million and $10 million was scrapped.

Faculty, students and community members came out to voice their concerns over the proposal, leading to Spaulding’s resignation.

Now, the lawmakers will form a working group to focus on higher education in the state and find resolutions to the issue of funding.

The college system’s board met with students Wednesday to receive feedback and will also be opening that up to online suggestions.