Remember SVC Project Underway
A group of concerned business owners and operators in Bennington have been working with the local Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce to pull together a multi-effort project to provide financial support for staff and faculty of Southern Vermont College.
In early March of this year the Southern Vermont College trustees determined there was “no way forward” for the college because of enrollment decline and debt. Therefore the college announced its closure by the end of this spring semester.
“Many of the challenges of the closing look to be figuring themselves out, especially with Castleton, Vermont Tech and other institutions providing support for degree programs that are in high demand for the area,” said Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Bennington Chamber of Commerce. “Additionally, many of the students have had success finding other colleges through intensive transfer initiatives by the college and the facilities are now being sold by local and national real estate companies. The one ‘nut’ that’s been perhaps the hardest is how to make staff whole by the time the school closes. As certain parties became aware of this challenge, the Chamber was asked to work with those business parties to see what we, the business community, could do to help.”
Throughout the coming weeks and months, this business group will have various initiatives pulled together to raise funds for a “SVC Staff Support Fund,” a fund that will only go towards the staff and faculty of Southern Vermont College in order to make them whole.
Harrington continues, “We have financial goals to meet based on conversations with the SVC leadership that will ensure a “wholeness” transition for staff. The Bennington and surrounding communities have been thinking and talking about the recent closing of Southern Vermont College for weeks now. The closing of this institution is devastating, both culturally and economically to many of us. The best possible way to channel our emotions and concern is by pulling together as a community and making the closure of the college and departure of the staff as seamless and caring as a possible. The faculty and staff are our friends and neighbors; they are our customers; they have been through a terrible ordeal; coming to their aid is the right thing to do. It is the Vermont thing to do. It is the Bennington thing to do.”
Many of the group’s efforts will focus on what the local businesses can do to generate revenue to assist the college and staff. There will also be opportunities for individual residents to give back as well.
The first project the group is undertaking is a “SVC Appreciation Day.” On Saturday, May 18 the group is asking participating stores and businesses to donate 10% of sales to the SVC Staff Support Fund. The town will be busy as the final SVC graduation takes place at the college on Saturday. There are a couple of anonymous donors who will match up to $22,500 of the funds raised. All funds raised this day will be given to a local trustee at the college who will designate the gift to provide the college a way to meet staff financial obligations.
“We encourage residents and visitors alike to visit and shop our Bennington stores as they give back and remember Southern Vermont College!” said Harrington.