The bill S.136, introduced by Senator Perchlik, aims to enhance the governance structure of the Vermont State Colleges Corporation and the University of Vermont and State Agricultural College by adding two faculty or staff trustees to their respective boards. Specifically, the bill amends the current law to increase the number of trustees on the Vermont State Colleges Corporation board from 15 to 17 and on the University of Vermont board from 25 to 27. It introduces provisions for the election of one faculty or staff trustee for each institution, who will serve a four-year term, and outlines the process for their election, which will be overseen by the faculty assemblies.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the new faculty or staff trustees must be elected by their peers, and it sets a timeline for the transition, requiring the new members to be in place by August 1, 2025. The bill also includes a provision for the appointment of new student trustees, who will serve a partial term starting September 15, 2025. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. Overall, this legislation seeks to promote shared governance and ensure that faculty and staff have a voice in the decision-making processes of these educational institutions.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 16-2172, 16-2173