Since the announcement of the current President and Trustees intent to close Goddard College, various groups of concerned alumni have begun to organize to counteract this decision. Goddard College alumni are diverse, creative, and passionate. There are likely as many opinions on the path forward for Goddard College, as there are alumni. 

This effort, “Save Goddard College” has a mission to preserve, maintain, and continue as much of the recent scope of the mission of the College. 

Update, June 23, 2024

• • 38 people have signed onto the petition to the Board of Trustees.
• • 629 people have signed onto the Change.Org petition to the Vermont Attorney General.
• • 28 friends have completed the Pledge to Save Goddard College. This includes now, $6,500 in pledges for 2024, $77,800 in pledges over the next five years. One alumni has pledged to include Goddard College in their will, and one alumni notes Godard College is already listed in their estate plan.
• • An alumni has pledged $100,000 as a match, for immediate pledges to our #1 priority (below). 

Priority Fundraising Efforts:

• 1. $200,000. 2024 immediate support. To retain legal counsel to work with Vermont Attorney General and Goddard College Trustees to stop the closing. To organize and engage alumni and the community for the long-term support of Goddard College.
• 2. $2M a year, for each of the next five years.
• 3. $10M. Long term, Sustainability or Purchase of Goddard College. Ideally, endowment support for the continuation of the current 501c3.

Media Reports and Updates

Back from the brink, Hampshire College is nearing financial viability

In the past five years, the college recommitted to its mission, raised funds and revamped its curriculum. Experts say others can learn from its playbook.

https://www.highereddive.com/news/hampshire-college-turnaround-closure-finances/710520

Plainfield officials willing to seek state assistance in pausing sale of Goddard College campus

https://www.timesargus.com/news/local/plainfield-officials-willing-to-seek-state-assistance-in-pausing-sale-of-goddard-college-campus/article_4211b38c-28da-11ef-bc89-bb49e30c449b.html

Rumored Goddard Sale Sparks Community Protest

https://montpelierbridge.org/2024/06/rumored-goddard-sale-sparks-community-protest/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0uyRJVDu0YvKqzLWILpXh1GtQB7tjjgf-EMk1oQ8Zte3jk5kMR_CGuq4E_aem_gKE1H_E5835meRmVlapPVw

History and Background

Goddard College Announces Closure

The small, progressive Vermont college will close at the end of the spring semester. It’s another blow to a state that has lost a number of higher ed institutions in recent years.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/business/financial-health/2024/04/10/goddard-college-announces-closure

Goddard College is closing. Why should we care?

https://vtdigger.org/2024/04/17/laura-r-walker-goddard-college-is-closing-why-should-we-care/

'Higher ed has lost something that's critical': Reflecting on Goddard College's closure

https://www.vermontpublic.org/show/vermont-edition/2024-04-15/higher-ed-has-lost-something-thats-critical-reflecting-on-goddard-colleges-closure

Colleges are now closing at a pace of one a week. What happens to the students?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/04/26/college-closures-student-impact/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1p4lBsiPEc8o64hn6LENHFLD2q8VG78v9Y2_zF2kbjsEf0mVcveg_58Eo_aem_08VALI4PLVVv-cvfPUR5fA