AMHERST, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Hampshire College’s board of trustees has announced that the college will be closing at the end of the year.

Since 2019, the college has been working to address financial headwinds, declining enrollment, rising costs, and unstable funding environment. A financial stability plan was enacted, which included raising more than $55 million. In a statement, they said that the closure comes “after years of sustained effort to secure the college’s financial future through enrollment growth, debt refinancing, and land development,” but those efforts did not produce a “viable path forward.”

“Since its founding in 1965, Hampshire College has been home to deeply curious, creative people who have radically reimagined what a liberal arts education can be. We have kept our commitment to one another - leaving no stone unturned, no solution unexplored, and making many sacrifices along the way. The timing of this decision assures that we can carefully steward the institution’s limited financial resources to facilitate a transition that allows our current students to complete their undergraduate education (either here or at a partner institution), is respectful of our faculty and staff, maintains the value of a Hampshire College degree, and honors the lasting legacy of Hampshire and its alumni,” said Hampshire College President Jennifer Chrisler in a statement.

The closure will take effect at the end of the upcoming fall semester. Those currently enrolled at Hampshire will continue to receive provide academic, student life, and transitional services. However, the college will not admit a new class and all deposits for admitted students will be refunded.

“Nearly every trustee is an alum, and we share in the community’s heartbreak. The financial realities we face: declining enrollment, the weight of long-standing debt, and stalled progress on land development left us no other responsible path. Our commitment now is to ensure that every student, employee, and member of this community is treated with the care and respect they deserve,” said board chair Jose Fuentes in a statement.

Final year, or Division III, students will be eligible to complete their degrees at Hampshire through the end of the fall semester. First through third year, or Division I and II, students will receiving advising services and access to transfers pathways at partner colleges and universities, including:

Faculty and staff will also receive assistance with information, resources, and support as the closure nears. A website has been launched to help answer questions and provide information for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

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