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A new higher-education model taking shape in Vermont eliminates traditional campus amenities such as gyms and meal plans in favor of hands-on, work-integrated learning, aiming to cut costs for students. The approach reflects a broader trend of newly created institutions experimenting with leaner structures to make college more affordable. Proponents argue that stripping away non-academic frills allows tuition to be redirected toward practical skills training, though the model remains untested at scale compared with conventional four-year universities.