HCR 285

R-343  Page 1 of 1
2026
No. R-343. House concurrent resolution recognizing the fifth anniversary of the
Middlebury Language Schools–Bennington College intercultural education
collaboration.
                                        (H.C.R.285)
  Offered by Representatives Greer of Bennington, Cooper of Pownal, Corcoran of
Bennington, Durfee of Shaftsbury, Morrissey of Bennington, and Nigro of Bennington
   Offered by Senators Bongartz and Plunkett
   Whereas, in the 21st century, knowledge of foreign languages has become essential to
succeed in an increasingly interconnected world, and
   Whereas, in 1915, just as advances in telecommunication and transportation were
beginning to transform the globe, the forward-thinking leadership of Middlebury College
established the first Middlebury Language School, offering an intensive summer course
of instruction in German, and over the next 111 years, the curriculum expanded to
include Abenaki, Arabic, Chinese, French, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean,
Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, and
   Whereas, the mission of Middlebury Language Schools is to “provide expert
education in languages and cultures through innovative, immersive instruction,” and
   Whereas, Middlebury Language Schools welcome students from around the world,
who receive expert instruction and sign a pledge to speak only in the language being
studied for the duration of the totally immersive course and associated living
experience, and
   Whereas, in 2019, the presidents of Middlebury College and Bennington College
(which was established in 1932 as an institution dedicated to innovative approaches to
higher education), entered into a five-year agreement, which became effective in 2021, to
relocate the Arabic, Italian, and Portuguese Middlebury Language Schools to the
Bennington College campus, and
   Whereas, during these past five years, this agreement has served as a model
collaboration between the two Vermont colleges, demonstrating their mutual
commitment to academic excellence and intercultural exchange, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly recognizes the fifth anniversary of the Middlebury
Language Schools–Bennington College intercultural education collaboration, and be it
further
  Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Bennington College and Middlebury College.
                                                                           VT LEG #389702 v.1