Local Administration. Saint Michael's College, 1902-2uuu | Saint Michael's College Archives & Special Collections

The Society of Saint Edmund created a canonical house at Winooski Park in 1902 when they resolved to start a novitiate in North America.  After one year, the Edmundites started a traditional educational institution on the site and moved the novitiate to Swanton, VT.  Members of the House ran Saint Michael’s Institute.  Students came from around the area and attended courses in either classical or practical studies, and until 1931, high school studies.  Some went on to become priests but most did not. The separation of the college and house is quite clear today, and has been for some time.  In the earliest years of the college this was not necessarily so, particularly regarding the administration of the college.  In the early days, most of the faculty and all of the administrators were members of the Society, and the Society was responsible for all aspects of the college.  Edmundites served in most key administrative positions.  The Superior of the SMC House served as president of the college and chair of the Board of Trustees.  While serving as President and chair, the superior would also be responsible for the management of the college.  The Superior exercised authority over not only resident priests, but also the students and lay faculty of the college.  Members of the house generally had one or more responsibilities at the college--teaching, overseeing clubs, and acting as prefects.  They also lived in community at the college, where they were governed by rules similar to those at other Edmundite houses.  The House Superior was responsible for the spiritual life of the house members, assigned members to placements, and oversaw financial decisions.  Rising, prayers, mealtimes, conduct, reading materials, personal finances, and attire were all governed according to the rules of the community.  In 1958, the office of House Superior and the office of college president were separated.  A few years later, the rules again changed and a layperson became Chair of the Board.  Edmundites continued to serve on the Board of Trustees and as faculty and administrators.  Since the 1960s, though, the number of positions filled by Edmundites has been in decline.  The Saint Michael’s House continued to exist, but separate from the college.  Its members include Edmundites who reside at the college, but not all house members are employed at the college.  The House’s affairs and finances are governed by councils and rules, and are subject to canon law.  The affairs and finances of the college are governed by civil law.

NOTE:  In financial and legal matters, the distinction between the House and College was quite clear from the outset.  Property and fiscal matters relating to the college were handled by the college corporation and the Board of Trustees, while matters relating to the Edmundites were handled by the Saint Michael’s House Council.