Vermont College of TUI Residency....

Has anyone here done a residency at Vermont College? I'm due for my first in October, and I'm curious about the dorms. Are they nice? What is the bathroom situation? Are the showers public? Is the food good? (Not very intellectual questions, I know, but still pertaining to DL, right?) I suppose I could ask the admissions counselor these questions, but I'm hoping for an unbiased view of what to expect. If no one here has done a residency, is there another web resource where I could get a review?

Thanks,
Amy

 

There was a recent thread of posts that addressed these questions on the UIU Graduate Learners' group on Yahoo, which you can reach at this link.

In brief, V.C. students in the Graduate Program are generally housed at Dewey Hall, across the quadrangle from Noble Hall, where most of the large group meetings and some small groups are held, and just around the corner from College Hall, where some of the smaller groups meet. The campus is about six blocks from the center of downtown Montpelier, which is the smallest state capital city in the U.S. and a town with a lot of features.

Dewey Hall was built in the early 1960's when V.C. was a women's college. Therefore, single men and women are housed on separate floors, and couples are housed on the first floor. The lower level houses the cafeteria, which is staffed by students of the New England Culinary Institute . The food is passable - especially in October, when their school year is still young - but they usually do at least one fancier meal. (I have to confess, however, that the last time I was there it was served on Norwich University china - I doubt that Union offers the same.)

Accommodations are basic dorm style - two single beds in each room, and most accommodations are double (depending on how many students enroll for the colloquium). The rooms are basic college dorm rooms but passable - don't expect the Hilton. The dorms are smoke-free, and if you are a smoker, that tends to take place on the front steps of Dewey Hall, which becomes a social setting unto itself.

Bathrooms? There is one group bathroom on each floor and one shower room with six-or-so stalls with curtains. (I would imagine that there are two on the first floor since it's co-ed.) They are never crowded, so depending on when you do your thing, you can have lots of privacy.

If you are grossed out by the surroundings (and most people would not be), there are two hotels within a mile or two of the campus - one is an Econolodge on the edge of town which is an overpriced dump, and the other is right in the middle of town. Expect both to be ridiculously expensive in October since it's the tail end of the Fall Foliage season in Vermont.

In short, it's a taste of dorm life. As I said, not the Hilton, but not a bad experience at all. I have been to about six colloquia - one as a student and the rest as an alumnus, all when V.C. was part of Norwich U. Since V.C. still has its own faculty, I would imagine that they haven't changed, and the colloquium is a very good experience. The programs are well designed, they are largely relevant to your studies, they will provide you with a solid background in program issues and research methods, and it's a cheap way to hang out in the Green Mountains for a week with everything included, soup to nuts. Unlike Union in Cincinnati, which is essentially a couple of buildings with no accommodations, V.C. is a real campus. You'll find that the trip is definitely worth it, and is likely to be a highlight of your program.

 

Remember your camera

I've never been to Vermont College, but I live in Vermont and have been to Montpelier. Be sure to bring your camera and color film. As Steve suggests, the foliage season has a real effect on the availablity of hotel rooms and the amount of traffic on rural roads.

 

Thanks for the great information, Steve. The "group bathroom" sounds just lovely. But seriously, I'm looking forward to a taste of dorm life. Although, I've been told that there is a nice bed and breakfast about a block from the campus. I haven't decided for certain which route to take, but you seem to have had a pretty positive experience staying on campus. I'll check out the link--I've been looking for a discussion group concerning TUI.

Ashton, thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to have my digital camera in tow. Being from Tennessee, New England is going to be a real treat for me.

Thanks again to both of you,
Amy

 

Thanks for the great information, Steve. The "group bathroom" sounds just lovely. But seriously, I'm looking forward to a taste of dorm life. Although, I've been told that there is a nice bed and breakfast about a block from the campus. I haven't decided for certain which route to take, but you seem to have had a pretty positive experience staying on campus. I'll check out the link--I've been looking for a discussion group concerning TUI.

Ashton, thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to have my digital camera in tow. Being from Tennessee, New England is going to be a real treat for me.

Thanks again to both of you,
Amy

 

Which route to take . . .

From an economic perspective, the answer is easy: THe total charge of $225-ish (or whatever it is these days) covers everything - room, meals, and the colloquium fee. If you find i unbearable, you should have no problem with motel or B&B accommodations mid-week (then just keep the room through the weekend). My guess, though, is that you'll find the accommodations satisfactory since you only have to do be there for one week.

One thing to consider is that by staying right at the college, you have the additional chance for interaction with your fellow students. Some of the best dialogues take place after the "business of the day," and this is often the best time to get to know others. Remember, non-traditional programs all too often tend to be Lone Ranger experiences (especially if your a V.C. student living in TN), so make the most of the time you have with your peers.

As for which route to take, that's easy - head east of Knoxville on I-40, pick up I-81 north, hang a right at Scranton, PA, onto I-84 east, then a left at Hartford, CT, onto I-91 north. Head through Massachusetts into Vermont, then at White River Junction bear left onto I-93 north to Montpelier. (By the way, if you're flying and you're curious, the V.C. campus is 38 miles south of the Burlington airport.)

(Okay, I know that's not what you meant by "route," but as a trucker, I couldn't resist.)

I can imagine you have some apprehension, but having been to six colloquia (after graduation, it becomes a great cheap vacation), I can assure you that you'll have a terrific time.

 

Re: Which route to take . . .

This CANNOT be overstated. The opportunities to interact with your peers and faculty after hours is nearly as valuable as what happens in the formal agenda. (NB: I didn't attend Vermont, as Steve did, but I did attend Union, which also uses seminars and colloquia.)

Union used to require its learners to stay on-site when attending seminars and colloquia. I found that extremely valuable. I attended another residency a year before graduating and the rules had changed. Learners were staying in different places; many were commuting home at night. It lost a lot of its value when limited to a 9-5 schedule. (My military educational experiences were similar.)

Even if it is optional to stay off-site, try to stay on-site, even if the potty is inconvenient.

 

Gee, Steve. Those look like pretty good directions. I'll have to print them out for my trip--which will take about sixteen hours. Alas, if only I wasn't afraid to fly.


Thanks again,
Amy

 

Rich,
I'm sure you're right. It would probably be in my interest to have the whole experience. Student interaction is one of the obvious benefits of a low-residency DL program versus one completed entirely online. Besides, if I find myself feeling overly anal about the bathroom situation (please do forgive the pun) I can always bail mid-week and head for the B&B. Thanks for the advice.

Amy