Boise State University President Marlene Tromp Departing for Vermont Amid Budget Cuts Controversy
Boise State University President Marlene Tromp has accepted the presidency at the University of Vermont, marking her departure from Idaho after six years at the helm of the state’s largest four-year university. Tromp’s transition aligns closely with the start of Boise State’s new budget year on July 1.
Her exit coincides with recent budget discussions in which the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) voted to cut Boise State’s funding by $2 million, an ideological maneuver reflecting persistent tensions between university leadership and certain state lawmakers. Rep. Josh Tanner, a Republican leader, emphasized this cut was a message to the university to "straighten their act up." Interestingly, these cuts are not linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spending, as universities have long ceased using state funds for such initiatives, relying instead on student fees and donations.
Tromp’s tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly surrounding DEI issues and a high-profile court case involving Big City Coffee, which Boise State lost—resulting in over $5 million in liabilities. Her initial days were also turbulent; a letter signed by 28 Republican legislators urged her to disavow her predecessor’s inclusive vision for the university.
Despite efforts to engage with state leadership, including highlighting her own background as a first-generation college student, Tromp’s progressive ideals have often clashed with Idaho’s conservative political landscape. As she prepares to lead in Vermont—a state leaning Democratic with a more welcoming climate for progressive education initiatives—her time in Idaho serves as a complicated legacy of navigating higher education amidst political strife.
As further budget cuts loom, lawmakers appear to be signaling a desire for a president whose values align more closely with theirs. For Tromp, the political landscape in Vermont will likely pose a stark contrast to her experiences in Idaho.
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