Overview of Green Mountain College
I regret to inform you that Green Mountain College, located in Poultney, Vermont, closed its doors in May 2019. Despite its closure, it’s worth exploring the history and highlights of the institution to understand its impact on higher education and environmental sustainability.
History and Mission: Green Mountain College was established in 1834, making it one of the oldest colleges in Vermont. Throughout its history, the college underwent various transformations, eventually evolving into a nationally recognized institution with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and liberal arts education.
The college’s mission was rooted in environmental responsibility, social awareness, and a commitment to creating environmentally conscious leaders. Students at Green Mountain College were encouraged to engage with ecological issues, sustainable practices, and innovative solutions to address environmental challenges.
Academic Programs: Green Mountain College offered a range of undergraduate programs, including majors in environmental studies, sustainable business, liberal studies, and various interdisciplinary fields. The curriculum was designed to integrate environmental awareness across disciplines, providing students with a holistic education that emphasized the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues.
One notable program was the Renewable Energy and Ecological Design (REED) major, which focused on sustainable practices, renewable energy technologies, and ecological design principles. This program exemplified the college’s commitment to preparing students for careers that aligned with environmental stewardship.
Sustainability Initiatives: Green Mountain College was widely recognized for its leadership in sustainability. The campus itself served as a living laboratory for environmentally conscious practices. Initiatives included sustainable building design, renewable energy projects, and a commitment to locally sourced and organic food in campus dining.
The college actively engaged in efforts to reduce its ecological footprint, and students were encouraged to participate in sustainability initiatives. Green Mountain College’s dedication to environmental sustainability was not only evident in its curriculum but also in its operational practices, creating a campus culture that embraced ecological responsibility.
Farm and Sustainable Agriculture: One of the distinctive features of Green Mountain College was its Cerridwen Farm, which served as an educational resource for students interested in sustainable agriculture. The farm integrated academic learning with hands-on experience, allowing students to participate in various aspects of sustainable farming, from crop cultivation to animal husbandry.
The farm not only provided practical education but also contributed to the college’s commitment to locally sourced food. The produce from Cerridwen Farm often made its way into the campus dining facilities, further reinforcing the college’s dedication to sustainable and locally sourced food options.
Community Engagement: Green Mountain College was deeply engaged with the local community and broader environmental organizations. The college played an active role in fostering dialogue around environmental issues, hosting conferences, workshops, and events that brought together scholars, activists, and community members.
Students were encouraged to participate in community service projects and internships that connected classroom learning with real-world challenges. This emphasis on community engagement was aligned with the college’s broader mission of creating environmentally responsible citizens who could contribute meaningfully to the world beyond the campus.
Closure and Legacy: Despite its strong commitment to sustainability and environmental education, Green Mountain College faced financial challenges that led to its closure in 2019. The closure was met with disappointment from students, faculty, and the wider community who valued the college’s unique approach to education.
While Green Mountain College may no longer be operational, its legacy lives on through the students, faculty, and community members who were part of its vibrant, environmentally conscious community. The college’s innovative programs, sustainable initiatives, and commitment to creating environmentally responsible leaders have left a lasting impact on the landscape of higher education and environmental stewardship.
Green Mountain College was a pioneer in integrating environmental sustainability into higher education. Its emphasis on sustainable practices, interdisciplinary education, and community engagement made it a unique institution. Although it is no longer operational, the college’s legacy continues to inspire conversations around environmental education, sustainable practices, and the role of higher education in addressing global challenges.
1 College Circle Poultney, VT 05764-1199
Phone: (802) 287-8208
Email: admiss@greenmtn.edu
Web site: http://www.greenmtn.edu
Rankings: Green Mountain College
Located in Poultney, VT, Green Mountain College is one of the best universities in the state of Vermont. On this page, you will find in-depth rankings for Green Mountain College in the following areas: graduation rates, teaching resources, financing opportunities, and alumni donations. Latest acceptance rate is also given to show how competitive is Green Mountain College.
| Rankings, Ratings, and Admissions Statistics | |
| Peer college rating (out of 5) | 2.1 |
| Graduation and retention ranking: | 219 |
| Average freshman retention rate: | 70.0% |
| 6-year graduation rate: | 38.0% |
| Predicted graduation rate: | 51% |
| Overperformance(+)/Underperformance(-): | -13 |
| Faculty resources ranking: | 189 |
| Classes with under 20 students (2020): | 53.7% |
| Classes with 50 or more students (2020): | 0.0% |
| Student faculty ratio (2020): | 14:1 |
| Percent of faculty who are full-time (2020) | 81.7% |
| Student selectivity ranking: | 207 |
| SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile (2020) | 920-1160 |
| 2020 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class: | N/A |
| Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class (2020): | N/A |
| Fall 2020 Acceptance rate: | 70.4% |
| Financial resources rank: | 226 |
| Alumni giving rank: | 221 |
| Average alumni giving rate (2020): | 10.8% |
Essential Facts: Green Mountain College
- Green Mountain College was a private liberal arts college in Poultney, Vermont, United States, at the foot of the Taconic Mountains between the Green Mountains and Adirondacks.
- The now-defunct Green Mountain College was recently sold to the former owner of a whiskey company for nearly $5 million, well below the $25 million asking price.
- Online Degrees at Green Mountain College Green Mountain College also offers several graduate level online degrees and programs in areas of environmental education.
Rules and regulations Sports Activities
| General Information | |
| Percent of undergraduate students who live in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing: | 81% |
| Percent of undergraduates who are members of a fraternity: | N/A |
| Percent of student body who are members of a sorority: | N/A |
| Average percentage of students on campus during weekends: | 75% |
| Are all students permitted to have cars on campus? | Yes |
| Percent of students who have cars on campus: | 65% |
| Is alcohol permitted on campus for students of legal age? | Yes |
| Additional policies and regulations: | class attendance policies set by individual instructors, honor code, hazing prohibited, smoking prohibited |
| Collegiate athletic association: | NAIA |
| Men’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Women’s scholarship sports: | N/A |
| Student activities: | choral groups, concert band, drama/theater, jazz band, literary magazine, music ensembles, radio station, student government, student newspaper, yearbook |