PLAINFIELD, Vt. (WCAX) – It’s been almost two months since the experimental liberal arts school Goddard College announced it’s closing its doors permanently.
In the wake of the closure, the Goddard College Board of Trustees is trying to decide what to do with the campus.
Residents were interested in buying the property, but school officials say they had numerous offers they considered.
In a statement sent out by the board, they say, “We entered into a contract with the buyer that submitted the only offer that would allow us to meet our fiduciary responsibility in time to pay our faculty and staff, pay off the debts to our creditors, and ensure a smooth transition for our students.”
But Goddard faculty, staff, students, alumni, and local community members are advocating for the campus to be transformed into affordable housing communal workspaces, and other community-facing projects.
“Really trying to take a wholistic and community-based approach in a way that we hope will invigorate the local economy and culture, and for it to be a place for demonstration projects, for regenerative agriculture, and some agro-forestry,” said Michelle Eddleman McCormick of Cooperation Vermont.
Goddard College did not sell the property to one of the community groups, and officials did not say what the buyer intends to do with the land.