Vermont Law and Graduate School Campus

Students floating on tubes in a river.

Student life at Vermont Law and Graduate School is different from that of your typical law school, and one important reason rests with our community. Here, VLGS students fish on the White River between classes in the summer. They hold dinner parties, brew their own beer, and hear firsthand from the governor of Vermont about the importance of making changes to the criminal justice system.

The VLGS Community

Like Vermont itself, the community at VLGS is small and deeply engaged. It’s a passionate group of faculty, students, and staff who care about both their neighbors and changing the world. Community includes our alumni, who share a common bond and love for this small town in Vermont, even after they are scattered across the nation and abroad. They look out for each other, help current students find work and internships, and retain a commitment to changing the world and their neighborhoods.

Our values and commitment to equality-for-all also play a part. On Town Meeting Day, the school closes to allow students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to participate in this important New England democratic tradition.

Finally, the place itself—and a love for and engagement with the outdoors—fosters the communal experience for our Vermont Law school students. We take time to connect with each other and our surroundings, whether it’s hiking nearby Kent’s Ledge, or visiting the gear shed to borrow cross-country skis, snow shoes, and canoes. When the weather is at its worst, our state-of-the-art fitness center offers equipment and group fitness classes including yoga, guided meditation, and spinning.

VLGS: A Green School

As the leading environmental law school in the United States, Vermont Law and Graduate School recognizes that affecting positive environmental change on a global scale begins at home. We understand that our top-ranked environmental programs are complemented and strengthened by our commitment to fostering a sustainable and green campus community. Our students, staff, and faculty strive daily to meet this standard by composting, carpooling, and recycling, while also working to find and implement sustainable solutions to green issues facing the campus and the world at large.

Sustainability Practices

Located on 13 acres beside the White River in the village of South Royalton, our campus facilities utilize modern technologies to minimize negative environmental impacts and unsustainable practices—including composting toilets to minimize water usage, super windows to maximize insulation, enthalpic energy wheels to control humidity and recycle exhaust heat, plus lighting solutions that use natural and energy- efficient lighting for interior and exterior spaces.

Preservation Practices

Our newest building—which houses The Center for Legal Services—is the 16th of 19 historic properties on campus that have been repurposed, continuing the VLGS tradition of undertaking award-winning historic preservation projects that are also models of energy efficiency.

Vermont Law and Graduate School’s facilities are only one aspect of our green campus. In 2010, the school officially declared the VLGS campus grounds as an established arboretum. Led by the school’s Arborist Society, this initiative has led to the identification, tagging, and protection of numerous native tree species on our campus.

Our Green Campus

It takes many parts to make our community work and our campus—which is deeply committed to sound, sustainable environmental practices—is one part of it.

Our Campus Greening Committee (CGC) is made up of engaged students, staff, and faculty dedicated to furthering environmentally sustainable practices and policies on campus as well as throughout the community. CGC has worked with the community to strengthen Vermont Law and Graduate School’s commitment to conserving energy, reducing waste, encouraging public transport, and preserving natural resources. Some of the programs the committee has successfully implemented include:

  • Creation of several large, well-marked receptacles for easier recycling across campus, as well as the implementation of a Technotrash, or e-waste recycling program.
  • Establishment of a commuter route between Montpelier and VLGS using Stagecoach Transportation Services local shuttle bus.
  • Installation of a solar-powered charging station for electric cars.
  • Establishment of a composting program designed to deal with much of the waste generated on campus, including all cafeteria food waste.
  • Providing educational materials on green practices and resources to incoming students each fall via a reusable cloth tote bag, and maintaining a strong presence during the week-long Earth Day festivities each spring. 
  • Hands-on, creative activities have included smashing incandescent light bulbs to receive free energy-efficient CFL light bulbs, blind taste-testing bottled vs. tap water, and operating a bicycle-powered smoothie bar.

VLGS is also an active member of the Vermont Fresh Network. We are proud to serve locally sourced food in our café and at catered events—much of which is certified organic.

Burlington Office

Vermont Law and Graduate School’s new satellite office in Burlington, Vermont, is located at 126 College Street, 4th Floor. The office houses a new immigration clinic, an admissions office, and programs for the Online Hybrid JD programs and the National Center on Restorative Justice, as well as events related to academic partnerships and others.

Through its connection to the South Royalton Legal Clinic (SRLC), the Burlington VLGS office offers legal assistance, particularly on immigration law, through the expanded Vermont Immigration Assistance Clinic at South Royalton. Chittenden County students also have more opportunities to participate in VLGS academic programs through practical, real-world experience gained via workshops and programming in Burlington.

The Vermont Law and Graduate School Burlington office also serves an admissions and recruiting role. Admissions staff are easily accessible to work with University of Vermont students pursuing the UVM 3+2 program and meet with prospective students from the Greater Burlington Area. A representative from the Office of Admissions will be available to meet with prospective students by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays. Contact admiss@vermontlaw.edu to request an appointment.

Vermont Law and Graduate School – Burlington 
126 College Street, Suite 410
Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: 802-831-1500

Town of South Royalton

The Town of South Royalton boasts beautiful landscapes and a strong community spirit. As the only law school in Vermont, VLGS makes its home in Royalton, drawing students from all over the world, resulting in a vibrant and diverse multicultural environment. This blend of international influences infuses our community with vitality, creating an atmosphere that is as enriching as it is welcoming.

Event Planning

Conveniently located in central Vermont between Exits 3 and 4 on Interstate 89, Vermont Law and Graduate School is an ideal location to host your next meeting or event. We welcome outside reservations, subject to availability based on VLGS’ academic calendar and on-campus schedules.

For more information, please contact the Events Coordinator, Courtney Potter, at cpotter@vermontlaw.edu.


For students, faculty, and staff, our internal portal provides access to scheduling or updating internal event information.

Fitness and Recreation

The VLGS campus and community provide an environment suitable for both competitive and recreational student-athletes alike.

Our 4,100-square-foot indoor fitness center features a spinning and yoga studio, and an exercise room with a mix of free weights, weight training machines, and cardiovascular equipment—including new treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes for spinning. The facility is complete with men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers, restrooms, and  storage areas for yoga mats and clothing. 

Throughout the year, students lead various fitness classes—including yoga and spinning—held at the Fitness Center. Moreover, we offer a unique Gear Shed service, allowing students to borrow a wide range of outdoor fitness gear at no cost. This includes kayaks, canoes, tents, fishing poles, mountain climbing equipment, cross-country skis, poles, boots, and ice skates. Learn more about our Fitness Center Policies.

South Royalton and the surrounding community offer a wide range of outdoor recreation activities. On hot summer days, students routinely swim and float on inner tubes along the White River, which adjoins the campus. There are many running, mountain biking, and road biking routes from campus, as well as lakes and ponds for swimming within a short drive. 

In the winter months, students can access some of the best downhill ski and snowboard resorts in the East (including Killington, Okemo, Stowe, Sugarbush, and Burke, as well as world-class cross-country skiing (e.g., Craftsbury, Strafford, and Dartmouth). 


Other year-round activities include hiking along the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail.
Vermont Law and Graduate School students also compete on the intercollegiate level in rugby, basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee, as well as ice hockey, volleyball, and soccer, on an intramural basis, or with other schools.

Map and Directions

Nestled within the picturesque Vermont town of South Royalton, Vermont Law and Graduate School enjoys a prime location conveniently situated between Exit 3 and Exit 4 off Interstate 89. Get directions via Google Maps. For GPS directions, please enter 164 Chelsea Street, South Royalton, VT.


VLGS Campus Safety

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to maintaining a campus and workplace environment that is safe for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If you observe behavior or an incident that causes concern or that is potentially dangerous, call one of the numbers below.


Vermont Law and Graduate Student Handbook

Vermont Law and Graduate School is committed to maintaining a campus and workplace environment that is safe for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. If you observe behavior or an incident that causes concern or that is potentially dangerous, call one of the numbers below.


Campus Web Student Portal

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