Vermont State University announces new president
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont State University on Friday announced the selection of its latest president, David Bergh, who is tasked with trying to bring the struggling school to financial stability.
Bergh is a 20-year veteran of the Vermont State Colleges System and served most recently as president at Cazenovia College, a former independent college in New York. He takes over the job from Mike Smith, who was appointed interim president after the sudden resignation of Parwinder Grewal in February.
The recently merged and rebranded university has faced a drop in enrollment and rising costs over the past decade. The school is still working out of a deficit that currently sits at about $17 million.
Bergh Friday said he wants to make Vermont State University sustainable in the face of declining enrollment and financial challenges. “There will have to be tough decisions and tough choices. We have to be good stewards of those taxpayer dollars of money from the state and we need to make sure we are spending them in a way to keep the university here for generations to come and serving the needs of Vermonters,” he said. Bergh says he wants to reexamine what curricula and courses are offered while being transparent to stakeholders.
President Grewal stepped down shortly after facing a hail of criticism over proposed cuts to the school’s library system and changes to sports team conferences.
The selection of Bergh comes a week after Vermont State College Systems Chancellor Sophie Zdatny announced her departure. In a statement, Zdatny said Bergh was up to the task. “{He} understands rural higher education and brings a true passion for advancing the needs of students to his work. He has a strong connection to Vermont’s rural communities and their unique needs, and a track record of engagement, community service and relationship-building. Dr. Bergh will thoughtfully carry forward the transformation and optimization work already underway to usher Vermont State University through its next phase.”
Smith, who will step down in November, last month told WCAX the path forward is targeting the 45% of Vermont high school grads who don’t go to college, being more available for nontraditional students, and investing in programs that each campus is known for.
The school last week announced that despite an expected 15% drop in new enrollments, they had met their enrollment targets this year.
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