Photo by Grace Mercer ’22
After significant financial trouble, Hampshire College decides to admit a new, full-size class for the Spring 2020 semester.
BY ANNABELLE SHEA ’23
Earlier this spring, amid staff layoffs and the resignation of former College President Miriam E. Nelson, the closing of Hampshire College appeared inevitable. Now, the promise of new students brings hope to Hampshire as the College plans to accept a new class of first-years in spring 2020.
For Alison Smith ’18F, a Hampshire student and school government representative, the future is bright.
“We’re all really excited. It was a long journey to get the new class [enrolled]. Smith said. “People really wanted [new students], especially after the faculty and staff layoffs.”
“I think there’s a lot of positive things to look forward to,” Smith added. “[Hampshire] was founded with the concept of shared governance. Students and staff and faculty were the ones designing the school and deciding how it would function. Returning to that in the future and making [shared governance] a core value in the community is really important.”
Amidst all the change, Hampshire’s vision of education has had to adapt.
“It’s [kind of] changing with the times,” Smith said.
“The school [was] founded to be an experimental college, so we’re hoping we can continue to experiment moving forward and find new ways of taking the academic system and altering it or adjusting it so it fits what the students need and what the students want and also what we need from higher ed right now,” Smith said.
Ben Grady ’18F, a current Hampshire student, shared similar feelings.
“Last year was kinda terrible with everything and Mim [former college president Miriam Nelson]. But now [that] we’re [admitting a new] class, I see tours walking around — it’s crazy,” Grady said.
Students’ optimism stems in part from Hampshire’s change in leadership. Many feel that Edward Wingenbach, Hampshire’s new president, is committed to hearing student voices.
“I think Ed [is] pretty cool. He’s doing a lot based on student governance — which is something we were kinda lacking in the spring. We like [what] he’s been doing. He’s had these, like, envisioning meetings, where students can go and give their ideas. He [seems to be] making the academic plan ... based entirely on what the students and faculty and staff are saying,” Smith said.
Some students feel that the events of last spring lacked the honesty required to facilitate a bond of trust between the Hampshire administration and its students.
“Students were really demanding more transparency [from the administration],” Smith explained.
However, Wingenbach’s new “envisioning meetings” appear to be a step in the right direction.
“Having students feel heard and [attending] a college where your opinion is validated can create change. It’s really exciting to be there in that space, especially with such a small student body,” Smith added.