Hampshire College now says it will remain open through the end of the year after securing enough funding to continue operations through the fall semester.
The announcement marks another reversal for the liberal arts college in Amherst, which in April said it would close at the end of the fall semester. Last week, Hampshire President Jennifer Chrisler warned that ongoing financial challenges could force the school to shut down even sooner.
In a new message to the campus community, Chrisler said the college has now obtained sufficient funding to remain open through the fall.
Hampshire has struggled financially for years, facing declining enrollment and rising operational costs. The college has repeatedly sought new sources of revenue and partnerships to remain viable. A plan to find a merger partner failed in 2019.
The latest funding provides a temporary reprieve as Hampshire moves forward with plans to wind down operations and support students through the transition.
David Chard, the former president of Wheelock College, which later merged with Boston University, and author of “When Colleges Close,” said Hampshire’s shifting plans may appear chaotic, but leaders are prioritizing students.
“What you don’t want to do is then find out that you don’t have enough cash flow to actually keep the college open and have had students who are left in the lurch,” Chard said.
Research shows students attending closing colleges are less likely to graduate, but Chard said strong transfer support can significantly improve their outcomes.
“In some instances, there have been high percentages of graduation,” he said. “So it’s not a foregone conclusion that students won’t succeed.”
