Bill H.198 proposes to amend the composition of the Board of Trustees of the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College by increasing the total number of members from 25 to 27. This change includes the addition of one voting faculty member and one staff member, both of whom will have full voting rights. The faculty member will be elected by the faculty through the Faculty Senate for a four-year term, while the staff member will be appointed through a process ensuring broad representation. Additionally, the bill stipulates that the two student trustees must include one full-time undergraduate and one full-time graduate student, ensuring diverse representation among the student body.

The bill also outlines a transition period, requiring that the new faculty and staff members be elected or appointed by July 31, 2025, with their terms beginning on August 1, 2025, and lasting for a partial year until the end of February 2026, followed by three full years. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This reconstitution aims to enhance governance and representation within the Board of Trustees, reflecting a more inclusive approach to university leadership.