By Amy Ash Nixon, VTDigger.org
When the newly formed long-range planning committee of the Vermont State Colleges (VSC) system meets, one of the topics under discussion will be changing Castleton State College’s name to Castleton University.
VSC Chancellor Jeb Spaulding on Tuesday confirmed that a name change for Castleton is under review.
Spaulding said Castleton is unique in the VSC system and has been operating like a small university. The college has created graduate-level programs, has the only public college football team in the state, operates an art museum, and hosts a polling center. Castleton has also increased research opportunities for faculty and students, created a diversified portfolio of entrepreneurial ventures, broadened arts and athletics programs, and increased recruitment efforts across the college.
Changing the name would be a recognition of Castleton’s broad programs and would help the school attract international students, Spaulding said.
The Castleton College strategic plan approved in 2013 set the stage for the development of a number of high-quality graduate programs, both online and hybrid courses, he said, establishing the college as a leader in graduate programs. Castleton’s first doctoral program will start in 2016.
Spaulding said that branding Castleton as a small public university “would help us to be more comprehensive.” He said the full board of trustees may consider action on the name change as early as July.
