Local News

The update came just two days before the June 1 transfer deadline for students to apply to different schools.

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.” 

Additional information about plans for the summer and fall semesters is expected in the coming days, Chrisler said. 

When Hampshire announced its closure in April, the college cited persistent financial challenges including stagnant enrollment, an inability to refinance debt, and the failure to generate anticipated revenue from the sale of a portion of its land, according to a statement updated May 21 from Chrisler and the Board of Trustees. 

“We have long known that addressing these issues is essential to establishing a stable financial foundation, supporting long-term operations, and meeting regulatory requirements,” the statement reads. “We are faced with the clear, heartbreaking reality that progress on each of these three key factors has fallen far short of what we had hoped.” 

College leaders said Hampshire no longer has the resources needed to sustain full operations while meeting regulatory obligations. They also warned that continued enrollment declines would require budget cuts that could affect the educational experience, according to the statement. 

The college’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, show net revenue was $36.4 million, while total expenses were $40.39 million. 

The college’s financial condition has also drawn scrutiny from accreditors. 

On March 24, the New England Commission of Higher Education ordered Hampshire to “show cause” at its June 2026 meeting why it should not be placed on probation or lose its accreditation. 

The commission cited concerns including declining enrollment — from 842 students in fall 2024 to 747 in fall 2025 — as well as the college’s failure to complete a planned land sale, refinance approximately $21 million in bond debt, and maintain its unrestricted endowment.