Hampshire College to Close Later This Year Amid Financial Pressures
Hampshire College, a small liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, announced it will close permanently after the fall semester of 2026. The Board of Trustees voted to shut down operations due to increasingly complex financial pressures, citing failed efforts to boost enrollment, refinance debt, and generate revenue through land sales. President Jennifer Chrisler described the decision as painful but necessary, as the college lacks resources to sustain full operations or meet regulatory responsibilities. The administration plans to support current undergraduates in completing their degrees either at Hampshire or through partner institutions. Founded in 1965, the college had previously struggled with long-term enrollment declines and launched a fundraising campaign in 2020. Its closure reflects a broader trend affecting small private colleges in New England and across the United States, driven by shrinking demographics, decreased birth rates, and lower college attendance post-pandemic. The school, known for its progressive ethos and notable alumni like filmmaker Ken Burns, joins a growing list of higher education institutions forced to cease operations amid an oversupply of colleges and diminishing student demand.
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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 permanently after the fall semester of 2026. The Board of Trustees voted to shut down operations due to increasingly complex financial pressures, citing failed efforts to boost enrollment, refinance debt, and generate revenue through land sales. President Jennifer Chrisler described the decision as painful but necessary, as the college lacks resources to sustain full operations or meet regulatory responsibilities. The administration plans to support current undergraduates in completing their degrees either at Hampshire or through partner institutions. Founded in 1965, the college had previously struggled with long-term enrollment declines and launched a fundraising campaign in 2020. Its closure reflects a broader trend affecting small private colleges in New England and across the United States, driven by shrinking demographics, decreased birth rates, and lower college attendance post-pandemic. The school, known for its progressive ethos and notable alumni like filmmaker Ken Burns, joins a growing list of higher education institutions forced to cease operations amid an oversupply of colleges and diminishing student demand.
chicagotribune