Middlebury College to diversify, hire more faculty
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Associated Press - Published: May 16, 2006
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury College wants to increase student aid, hire more faculty and diversify its student body over the next decade, trustees decided.
The strategic plan for the private liberal arts college with about 2,350 students was approved by trustees as part of a plan called "Knowledge without Boundaries."
"The plan combines the values and essence of what historically has made a Middlebury liberal arts education so meaningful and effective, with some special and unique attributes that align with major 21st century issues," said Middlebury College President Ronald Liebowitz.
The plan calls for reducing the amount of financial aid loans in favor of grant packages as a way to ease student debt after they graduate.
The new financial aid plan is seen as a way to attract different kinds of students, said college Dean of Planning John Emerson.
"I'm very proud of the plan," Emerson said. "I'm optimistic that as a community we will implement it over the next 10 years and that we can make it work."
Currently 39 percent of Middlebury students need financial aid. Total costs for next year will be $44,330.
Over the next decade an additional 25 faculty members will be hired, an increase of 10 percent.
The plan will cost Middlebury $392 million over the next decade.
The college's last strategic plan was finalized in 1992 and focused on capital construction. Among other projects, that plan led to the construction of the college's new $40 million library.
A fundraising campaign for the new project will probably begin in the fall of 2007, Emerson said.
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