Final Year Students at Hampshire College Might Not Even Get Degrees
“I recognize that this update comes at an already difficult time.”
The school is running out of money before their final closing date. This is so bad.
Boston.com reports:
Hampshire College warns final-year students may not be able to receive their degrees after all
Weeks after announcing it would close following the fall 2026 semester, Hampshire College is warning that its planned teach-out may not be financially feasible, raising the possibility that some students may not be able to complete their degrees as planned.
Hampshire College, which enrolls roughly 700 students and is a member of the Five College Consortium, announced in April that it would cease operations after the fall 2026 semester. Under that plan, current students would be able to complete their coursework through a teach-out process, allowing students in their final year to earn their degrees.
But, in an email sent Saturday to the Hampshire community, President Jennifer Chrisler said the college may not have enough money to carry out that plan.
“Our financial modeling shows that presently the college does not have enough available funds to cover the expected expenses for the teach-out,” Chrisler wrote. “I can assure you, we are actively exploring options to secure the necessary financial resources in time for the teach-out, and we remain optimistic.”
That update came just two days before the June 1 transfer deadline for students to apply to different schools.
The teach-out remains “contingent” on the college securing additional funding and working with financial partners to ensure it can meet its commitments to students, according to Chrisler.
The college is continuing to plan for the teach-out, she wrote, but faces several financial challenges. Those include determining what assets could be sold to generate operating funds, meeting demands from some vendors for upfront payment, and ensuring projected revenue from fundraising and enrollment aligns with anticipated expenses.
“I recognize that this update comes at an already difficult time. I am deeply sorry for that,” the email concludes. “Nonetheless, I believe sharing this information now is the responsible course of action.”
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Comments
If you think your budget is cratering now, wait until the lawsuits for breach of contract.
Perhaps if they spent less time contorting the language (Final year Students Vs. Seniors) and offered documented educational value rather than tripe (“known for its innovative, self-directed curriculum where students design their own programs of study, focusing on portfolios and narrative evaluations instead of traditional grades”) they might have remained viable…
Apparently, few staff, faculty and perhaps students with expertise in accounting, finance and ethics.
Wishful thinking instead of forward thinking and thorough analysis, especially when the projected results are less rosy than what are desired?
Since they are part of a consortium, the students can get their remaining courses from the other members and they count as though taken at their home institution.