University of Vermont

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Hallmarks and Quirks

Things I'm Good At:

Hockey. And basketball, and Nordic skiing, and soccer, and…well, my students like to live active, healthy lifestyles, is all.
My med school and Psychology Department are both fantastic (nationally renowned, in fact), but the hidden gem is our English Department. With poets like Major Jackson, memoirists like Gregory Bottoms, and curious intellectuals like Sarah E. Turner, the literature/writing curriculum spans from Amiri Baraka to a cultural analysis of Oprah's Book Club.
My Outdoors Club has its own little club house with extra outdoor gear and even a crooked, scrappy-looking sign with hand-painted letters hung from the door. Right out of Tom Sawyer, I tell ya.
Access to nature. It's everywhere. Twenty minutes to the nearest ski resort, five minutes to the lake.

My Top 5 Must-Haves:

Winter clothes. Lots of winter clothes. It snows here, and when it doesn't snow, it feels like it should be snowing. Hit up the Outdoor Gear Exchange for consignment winter gear and sample vests, hoodies, and base layers. They also sell all of the good brands, if you're into new clothes. UVM-ers tend to sport a few holes in their canvas pants, though.
Some milk crates for bookshelves (since you'll be putting your nose in a fair amount of pages) and to store your massive collections of Bee Gees and Bob Marley LPs.
Your own reusable grocery bags.
A favorite sandwich at Red Door, or a favorite type of locally grown beef at The Farmhouse, or a favorite vegan/vegetarian morsel at Stone Soup.
Something made out of hemp. Yes, hemp milk counts.

Why You Might Have Heard of Me:

You know how I mentioned people label me a Public Ivy League? Well, it's funny because I'm actually the fifth oldest university in New England—right after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown.
I'm the first university to give a public support shout-out for freedom of religion. My students are mellow and accepting around here. I've got your back.
Outside Magazine and the New York Times have both made a pretty big deal out of my access and celebration of outdoor activities and general quality of life potential. You might have read something about it in Travel and Leisure Magazine or on Huffington Post, too.

On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...

I'm probably at the Davis Center (my huge, new-ish, so pretty student center) or in downtown Burlington. Again, check out Seven Days newspaper. You'll never not know what to do.

Favorite Hangouts:

Muddy Waters Coffee Shop. It's one of the most fabulous study/coffee/reading/chai tea/fresh made juice/board games places in the universe. Seriously. And don't forget to try the Muddy's Shake.
Zabby and Elf's Stone Soup. Here, they serve uber delicious vegan and vegetarian food—a hot bar, a cold bar, sandwiches, soups, baked goods, you name it. There's a community dining table in the middle of the room, smaller tables for more intimate pairs, and an earthy atmosphere that'll make even the most stressed out people take a deep, savory breath.
Manhattan Pizza and Pub. Late-night fun, cheap pizza, cheap-ish beer, and some live music. It's where the cool kids go. Or, at least…all of my alumni and most undergrads.
Radio Bean Coffee House. Ah, yes, more late-night fun, coffee, wine, live music, and light fare. There's also a fabulous new restaurant attached (Duino Duende).
Roxy Movie Theater. This is where you can find a bigger selection of indie/alternative movies than any other theater in the surrounding area.
Laughing River Yoga. This place is great if you're a yoga person, and even if you're not. Trust me. You'll love yoga the moment you step in the studio door—the vibe, the warm (but not too warm) temp, the plethora of class types, and of course, the teachers.
Petracliffs Climbing Gym. An indoor climbing arena with both belaying and bouldering options, plus…wait for it…a student discount.
Any of the surrounding ski areas: Smugglers Notch, Stowe, Jay Peak, Bolton, Sugar Bush. 'Nuff said about that. The mountain gods will tell all.

Quirks:

So, do you like to ride bikes? Have a disdain for those weird cloth things that people like to confine themselves in? Fear not. Your wishes have been granted. At the end of term, at midnight, I host a naked bike ride. It even happens to have been voted "Best Place to Get Naked" by SevenDaysVT.
You won't believe how easy it is to try all kinds of new athletic pursuits—you can rent skis, snowshoes, canoes, kayaks, even camping equipment on campus. Also, in case you don't have time between classes to go downtown to Petracliffs climbing gym, I have an adventure ropes course and an indoor rock climbing wall.
The thing is, I'm really just an "anything goes" kind of place. My wardrobe proves it. On campus, you'll find my students wearing any or all combinations of the following: flannel, fleece, bandanas, Uggs, full suits, skater shoes, hipster glasses, snowboarding boots, hemp pants, yoga pants, and hair ties (especially for the guys). I take all kinds here.

Famous Alumni:

Barbara Cochran, Olympic athlete (alpine ski racing)
Annie Proulx, Pulitzer Prize-winning author (The Shipping News and Brokeback Mountain)
Larry Gardner, professional baseball player (Red Sox)
Matthew Choate, Vermont State Senator
Donald H. Balch, United States Air Force General