Bringing an end to a 30-year relationship with Norwich University:

Ceremony completes sale of VC to Union Institute

By Marshall Bates
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Sooner than many would have hoped, Norwich University ended its thirty-year relationship with Vermont College on Sept. 30, 2001, when the college campus and all its academic programs were sold to the Union Institute.

The closing date of Sept. 30 set "land speed records" in the sale of such a large operation, according to Norwich University President, Richard Schneider.

Former Norwich University Senior Vice President Richard Hansen transferred to Vermont College earlier this year and has taken the position of Provost and Executive Vice President for the college.

According to Hansen, Vermont College will now be a college "constructed on adult education."

"I think this will create a new leader in progressive education," Hansen said. "It will be an environment where adult learners can go from a bachelors degree to a Ph.D."

Merging with the Union Institute will give Vermont College a Ph.D. program. In return, the Institute will be able to offer masters degrees to its online students.

According to Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Vermont College Tom Greene, the expectation for this sale is the creation of an "entirely new institution" that would have more power and relevance as one entity than as two separate ones.

Vermont College has a "strong and bright future" with The Union Institute, Greene said. "The combination of The Union Institute and Vermont College will make them a power in higher education."

"The separation will allow both institutions to focus on their missions," Greene said. "It will allow Norwich to become more profitable by allowing the university to focus on and redefine its core mission as an undergraduate school."

President Schneider shares Greene's views on the potential for improved focus of the administration's energies after the removal of Vermont College from the senior staff's responsibility.

"The separation of the two colleges will allow the senior staff to focus strictly on the Northfield campus and give their undivided attention to the undergraduate students at Norwich," Schneider said. "This gets rid of the identity crisis that the university has had for 30 years."

Greene gives most of the credit for the ease of the transaction to President Schneider.

"Although this was a quick and easy transaction, the decision to separate was the hardest part," said Greene. "President Schneider deserves a lot of credit for the way he handled this in respect to the students and the community."

Key officials voiced their beliefs that the sale could not have come at a better time.

According to Hansen, "This separation is going to serve learners and students best and allow Norwich and Vermont College to focus on what they do best. I think this is the right time for this to happen."

"It was definitely the right time," said Greene. "Both institutions were financially strong, enrollment was good, the energy was right, the time was right, and the right leadership was in place for this to happen."

As for the college communities, Schneider believes this separation will serve them best because the Union Institute has stated that everyone still has their jobs and will keep the Vermont College programs in Montpelier.

"With Vermont College staying in Montpelier, this will hopefully open up more jobs," Schneider said. "A college is a major part of any city, and Vermont College is a defining part of the City of Montpelier."

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