Hampshire College to Close Later This Year Amid Financial Pressures
Hampshire College, a small liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, announced it will close later this year following a vote by its Board of Trustees. The decision, driven by increasingly complex financial pressures, comes after efforts to boost enrollment, refinance debt, and generate revenue through land sales proved insufficient. President Jennifer Chrisler stated that the college no longer possesses the resources to sustain full operations or meet regulatory responsibilities. The closure is scheduled to occur after the fall semester, allowing current undergraduates to complete their degrees at Hampshire or partner institutions. Founded in 1965, the college has faced prolonged financial struggles despite a $60 million fundraising campaign launched in 2020, which included significant donations such as a $5 million gift honoring alumnus Ken Burns. The institution previously gained attention in 2023 for offering transfer opportunities to students from New College of Florida. This closure adds Hampshire to a growing list of small colleges in New England and across the United States forced to shut down due to economic challenges.
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Hampshire College to Close Later This Year Amid Financial Pressures
Hampshire College, a small liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, announced it will close later this year following a vote by its Board of Trustees. The decision, driven by increasingly complex financial pressures, comes after efforts to boost enrollment, refinance debt, and generate revenue through land sales proved insufficient. President Jennifer Chrisler stated that the college no longer possesses the resources to sustain full operations or meet regulatory responsibilities. The closure is scheduled to occur after the fall semester, allowing current undergraduates to complete their degrees at Hampshire or partner institutions. Founded in 1965, the college has faced prolonged financial struggles despite a $60 million fundraising campaign launched in 2020, which included significant donations such as a $5 million gift honoring alumnus Ken Burns. The institution previously gained attention in 2023 for offering transfer opportunities to students from New College of Florida. This closure adds Hampshire to a growing list of small colleges in New England and across the United States forced to shut down due to economic challenges.
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