Amidst Financial Struggles, Hampshire College To Accept Partial Freshman Class

After stating in January it would seek a "strategic partner" to ensure the school's viability amidst financial struggles, Hampshire College in Amherst announced Friday it will accept a partial freshman class for the fall.

About 60 first-year students — all of whom had either been granted admission through early decision this year or deferred admission last year — will be admitted, the Hampshire College Board of Trustees said in a statement.

No other applicants will be enrolled for fall 2019 or spring 2020, the statement said.

The Jan. 15 announcement about the school's search for a long-term partnership sparked surprise among alumni and students currently enrolled at the school.

Uncertainty remains still over what institution the school will partner with. Hampshire College President Miriam Nelson Nelson has given sparing details, previously stating there are a range of opportunities and “different types of strategic partnerships, but it’s hard to tell at this time."

Last week, UMass Amherst told New England Public Radio it's in talks with Hampshire about closer collaboration. John Courtmanche, a spokesperson for Hampshire, said the college "can't name" any of the schools it is considering "at this stage," though.

The school hopes to have a partner identified by June, he said.