Overview

Burlington College was a small private, non-profit liberal arts institution in Burlington, Vermont. For decades it served a regional student body with an emphasis on personalized instruction, community engagement, and interdisciplinary study. The college awarded associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and offered professional certificate programs in a range of arts, humanities and social science fields.

Academic programs and character

Programs at the college were rooted in liberal arts traditions: close faculty-student interaction, small class sizes and opportunities for experiential learning. Degree tracks included two-year associate programs, four-year bachelor’s degrees and a limited number of graduate offerings. The institution also operated adult-education and certificate options intended for working professionals and community learners.

Campus and community

The campus was noted for its intimate scale and local partnerships, with many students commuting from the surrounding Champlain Valley. Burlington College positioned itself as a community-oriented campus, hosting public lectures, arts events and collaborative initiatives with local organizations. Its small size encouraged cross-disciplinary study and individualized academic planning.

Leadership and governance

During the 2000s the college attracted national attention when Jane O'Meara Sanders served as president from 2004 to 2011; she is publicly known as the spouse of U.S. senator Bernie Sanders and is profiled at her biographical page. Under successive administrations the board and leadership sought to expand enrollment and stabilize finances through strategic planning and capital projects.

Accreditation, financial troubles and closure

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges had accredited Burlington College, but in July 2014 the institution was placed on probation for not meeting standards related to financial resources. The college faced persistent fiscal challenges and declining enrollment in its final years. On May 16, 2016, the administration announced that the college would close; the institution ceased operations later that month.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Burlington College is remembered as a small liberal arts community with a focus on personalized education and civic engagement.
  • Its probation by a regional accreditor and subsequent closure highlight the financial vulnerabilities faced by small private colleges in the U.S.
  • Notable leadership and local ties made the college a subject of public interest beyond its enrollment size.