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Hampshire College on Tuesday told nine employees in its admissions and advancement offices that they will be laid off as of April 19.
Job cuts have been expected after the private liberal arts college in Amherst, Mass., decided at the beginning of February to stop admitting new students for the fall semester, citing economic challenges. Hampshire’s fall 2019 class will only include students who had already decided to enroll under early decision this cycle and those who had accepted admission last year but deferred entry.
Employees are still left in the admissions and advancement offices, according to a college spokesman. Hampshire employed about 250 staff members and 150 faculty members before the cuts.
The college is “pausing any further recruitment efforts” and evaluating how to structure its advancement operations “until Hampshire’s future becomes clearer,” President Miriam Nelson said in a letter.
Hampshire’s decision not to admit a full class and to re-evaluate its future sparked pushback from alumni who do not want the college to close or merge. Some are attempting to raise money to strengthen the college’s position and are asking state regulators to investigate.
