House concurrent resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Middlebury Language Schools–Bennington College intercultural education collaboration

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Seth Bongartz and 7 co-sponsors

The bill formally recognizes the fifth anniversary of the Middlebury Bennington intercultural education collaboration and its relocation of language programs to Bennington College.

Adopted pursuant to Joint Rule 16b

Overview

Type: House concurrent resolution (H.C.R. 285)

Jurisdiction: Vermont

Session: 2025-2026

Purpose: Recognize the fifth anniversary of the intercultural education collaboration between Middlebury Language Schools and Bennington College

Sponsor(s): Rep. William Greer; Rep. Jonathan Cooper; Rep. Timothy Corcoran; Rep. David Durfee; Rep. Mary Morrissey; Rep. Michael Nigro; Sen. Seth Bongartz; Sen. Robert Plunkett

Last action: 2026-05-07 – On Consent Calendar

What the bill does

The resolution acknowledges and commemorates the fifth anniversary of the collaboration between Middlebury Language Schools and Bennington College.

It states that, since 2019, and effective 2021, Middlebury relocated the Arabic, Italian, and Portuguese Language Schools to Bennington College’s campus as part of a five-year agreement.

The resolution frames the collaboration as a model of interinstitutional cooperation between Vermont colleges, highlighting the emphasis on intercultural education and academic excellence.

Key provisions and changes

Formal recognition: The bill officially recognizes the fifth anniversary of the Middlebury–Bennington intercultural education collaboration.

Historical context: It provides background on the origins of Middlebury Language Schools (dating back to 1915) and outlines the expansion of language offerings and immersive instructional model.

Institutional coordination: It notes the 2019–2021 agreement transferring specific Middlebury Language Schools to Bennington College, underscoring the joint commitment to intercultural exchange.

Communication to institutions: The Secretary of State is directed to transmit a copy of the resolution to Bennington College and Middlebury College.

Who/what is affected

Bennington College and Middlebury College: The resolution explicitly references and acknowledges their collaboration and the relocation of three language programs to Bennington College’s campus.

Vermont General Assembly: The action is a formal expression of recognition and does not create new statutory requirements or funding mechanisms.

Public awareness: The resolution serves to inform the public and the colleges’ communities about the milestone and collaboration.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Timeline reference: Fifth anniversary of the collaboration is being commemorated; the agreement became effective in 2021, with relocation occurring over the past five years.

Legislative path: The measure has been scheduled for consideration on the Consent Calendar as of 2026-05-07, indicating it is non-controversial and routine.

Effective actions: The primary action is ceremonial and informational; no fiscal provisions, regulatory changes, or programmatic directives are attached.

Potential impact

Symbolic and educational impact: Recognizes cross-institutional collaboration as a model of intercultural education, potentially strengthening public visibility and support for language education and related intercultural exchange initiatives.

Community and stakeholder awareness: Highlights the partnership to students, faculty, alumni, and Vermont residents.

No fiscal or regulatory changes: The resolution does not mandate funding, policy changes, or administrative actions beyond acknowledgment and transmission of the resolution to the involved institutions.