The University of Vermont (UVM) recognizes the value of relationships with external organizations whose missions are compatible with those of the university and whose activities will assist the university in advancing and achieving its strategic goals. To support the mutual success of these partnerships it is essential to consult with appropriate university officials before partnership discussions begin. This will ensure organizational clarity, responsible stewardship of UVM assets, appropriate management of risk, and the capacity necessary for UVM’s engagement. Units that report to the Provost and are contemplating an external partnership should submit an External Academic Partnerships Request Form (PDF) to the Office of the Provost before initiating discussions with the proposed partner.

External partnerships subject to this process include those for which any of the following apply:

  • The sponsoring UVM unit reports to the Provost
  • The partnership will draw on university systems or services, including but not limited to support from the Registrar’s Office, Enrollment Management, Student Financial Services, Graduate College Admissions, UVM Libraries, ETS, or the Office of International Education
  • The partnership will commit the university to a particular action or outcome
  • The partnership will require substantial financial resources or changes in university policy to execute
  • The partnership will involve students, including articulation agreements, affiliation agreements, pathway agreements, and both credit and non-credit academic exchange partnerships

This process does NOT apply to partnerships with external organizations that provide students with off-site learning placements such as service-learning partnerships, internships, clinical placements, and student teaching practica.

Proposal Process

  1. The proposal sponsor completes and submits the External Academic Partnership Request Form to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Student Success (Jennifer.Dickinson@uvm.edu) AND cc VPAASS@uvm.edu
  2. The Provost’s Office will review the proposal, consult with campus partners, and may request additional information.
  3. Within eight weeks, the Provost’s Office will provide one of the following responses:
    • The proposed partnership is not approved and related work should cease
    • Additional discussion is necessary; a meeting with the sponsor and key campus partners will be convened to discuss the proposal in more detail
    • Development of the potential partnership can proceed as follows:

A. The campus partners identified by the Provost’s Office must be included in the negotiation
B. Sponsors should periodically update the Provost’s Office, especially as infrastructure demands related to the partnership become clearer
C. The sponsor must provide the Provost’s Office with the proposed affiliation/articulation/MOU agreement for review when the agreement is submitted to the Office of the General Counsel