Town Hall Explores Possibilities for Continuing Hampshire College’s Mission

Hampshire Next, a grassroots organization founded by members of the Hampshire community in the wake of the college’s announced closure, has recently incorporated. The group held a town hall meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, May 20, focused on organizing around the future of Hampshire College’s campus and mission following the announcement of closure and a real estate offering.

Dean Hubbard, a Hampshire Next board member and attorney, explained that the organization emerged rapidly in response to a shock to the community. Alumni, parents, faculty, and students quickly began organizing on Discord. Hampshire Next has formed a temporary board and is designing a governance framework that will evolve into an elected, participant-representative body. The organization will now move forward with its 501(c)(3) filing.

Eighty-five people attended the meeting, including Hampshire alumni, Hampshire Next board members, team leaders, retired Hampshire professors, journalists, local residents, recent graduates, parents of current students, and an alumnus who was a member of Hampshire’s first graduating class. Board member Mia Pan served as moderator. The meeting included updates, a Q&A session, and breakout sessions.

Hampshire Next Proposal
Board member Ericka Jennings updated the group on the Hampshire Next proposal, which envisions raising enough money to halt the sale of the campus and creatively and collectively repurposing the campus in a way that is consistent with Hampshire’s vision. An up-to-date version of the proposal was sent to the college before commencement. The initial document emphasized strategic vision, purpose, and potential ways to partner with the college. A revised proposal will build on — and respond to — the college’s broker submission process, which has recently been made public.

Educational models under consideration align with Hampshire’s mission, ethos, and values. These would serve as the center of a hub-and-spoke model — such as an applied liberal arts and trade work-college — while acknowledging that Hampshire will complete its teach-out process. The hub would function as a “village center,” the core for lifelong, self-directed learning.

The proposal emphasizes preserving important programs, partnerships, and places associated with Hampshire, including the Hampshire College Farm, the college’s relationship with the Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, the James Baldwin Program, the Robert Crown Center, the Multisport Center, the Hitchcock Center, the Kern Center, surrounding woodlands, and cultural village partners.

Proposed new “spokes” may include a Five College Center for the Future of Higher Education, a Socially Responsible Business Incubator, a Regenerative Agriculture Institute, and a Center for the Study of Science in the Public Interest. Each initiative is designed to be mission-aligned, adaptable, and financially self-sustaining. The proposal includes programs spanning a wide range of ages — from the Early Learning Center and a possible new K-12 program to higher education open to lifelong learners — along with multigenerational housing.

Government
The Town of Amherst has environmental and zoning oversight of the campus. The town is especially interested in housing and public access to facilities such as the pool, the Robert Crown Center, the Multisport Center, and trails.

Proposals by Others
Hampshire Next is not aware of all proposals that have been submitted but has learned of several through news reports. Entities known to have submitted proposals include the Trustees of Reservations, Kestrel Land Trust, and Philosopher Jerome Segal, who incorporated the Peace and Plain Living Institute and proposed to establish the Advanced Hampshire Institute for Peace, Plain Living and Conflict Resolution Training on the Hampshire campus. Also submitting a proposal was Renewable Nations Institute, an organization hired by the United Nations to help reduce global carbon emissions by 2 degrees Celsius, primarily through education and partnerships with schools.

Margaret Cerullo, Hampshire professor emerita, shared an ideas document in the meeting chat. A few other proposals were mentioned but not discussed in depth.

Ronit Ben-Shir, director of Hampshire College’s Early Learning Center, stressed that staff and parents are committed to saving the ELC and want it included in any future plans, including the possible development of new early childhood facilities.

Gwen Nabad, a Hampshire alumna and Northampton City Council member, highlighted the severe impact of losing the childcare center in a region with scarce childcare options. She noted she has been raising the issue with officials and reminded attendees that, with the state budget season underway, responses from representatives may be slow.

An attendee asked about the impact of faculty unionization mentioned in a recent communication. Board member Bera Dunau, a professional union organizer, explained that Hampshire faculty have unionized through AAUP/UAW and that Hampshire Next will continue outreach with their leadership.

Board member Stephan Cohen said Hampshire Next is reviewing inquiries from potential partners and renters, including a Springfield organization called Give Music, which is interested in summer programming for at-risk youth, as well as smaller proposals from groups of about 20 people. Hampshire Next maintains a programming document listing initiatives that could be launched, such as an applied liberal arts and trade school combining certifications in fields such as electrical work and welding with creative pursuits like sculpture. The group also discussed alumni resource programs and the revival of past programs, including Carrington tennis and band camp, as well as regenerative agriculture. Cohen invited interested parties to reach out at collaborate@hampshirenext.org.

Board member Katelyn Baker spoke about Hampshire Next’s new mutual aid working group, which launched Hampshire Now and is highlighting fundraisers for Hampshire College Workers’ Emergency Relief Fund and an ELC bridge fund. A forthcoming alumni-run merchandise store will also direct proceeds to help Hampshire workers. For more information, email mutualaid@hampshirenext.org.

Attendees were encouraged to join the Hampshire Next Discord server, where welcome documents and volunteer coordinators are available to help newcomers find ways to contribute.

In a dramatic moment near the close of the meeting, Jerome Segal — who has proposed establishing the Advanced Hampshire Institute for Peace, Plain Living and Conflict Resolution Training on the Hampshire campus joined the call and asked to meet with Hampshire Next leadership. The two parties had previously met.