colleges shutting down this year: Anna Marie College (80 years old, Catholic), Hampshire (60 yrs old, liberal private}

https://atholdailynews.com/2026/04/27/take-us-in-hampshire-college-community-demands-support-from-five-college-consortium/



‘Take us in’: Hampshire College community demands support from Five College Consortium

AMHERST — Even before Hampshire College closes at the end of the calendar year, the Five College Consortium and the three remaining private colleges and the University of Massachusetts need to make sure Hampshire’s students, faculty and staff have new places to study and work.

That’s one of the resounding messages delivered by many of those gathered at a “Support Hampshire Students, Faculty and Staff” protest on the North Common Thursday afternoon.

“Take us in,” Sarah E. Jenkins, a professor of animation at Hampshire, said, explaining the community’s basic demand.


Jenkins served as emcee for the event that drew much of the Hampshire campus to downtown Amherst. She pointed to an estimated $7 billion to $8 billion in combined endowments across the other campuses, arguing that these resources should allow all Hampshire students to remain part of the Five College community and provide faculty and staff with one-year bridge positions until they find new employment.

The event followed the April 14 announcement that the campus would close at the end of 2026, completing a teach-out with a bare-bones faculty and staff.


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Nearly 350 layoffs coming to 2 Massachusetts colleges that announced plans to close
By Neal Riley
April 27, 2026 / 11:41 AM EDT / CBS Boston

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Two Massachusetts colleges that recently announced plans to close this year will be laying off nearly 350 workers combined, according to state filings.

Anna Maria College in Paxton, which announced last week it will close after the spring semester, said layoffs will affect 150 workers. Hampshire College in Amherst is expecting 199 layoffs once it closes at the end of the Fall 2026 semester.

Hampshire College's website says employees began to find out last week about their job status.

"The staff and faculty reductions will happen in waves, with the majority of employees ending their employment on June 15," the college said. "Every employee will receive at least 60 days notice."

Anna Maria said some staff will be retained to help students "through degree completion." Layoffs there will take place between June 22 and June 30.



https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/anna-maria-hampshire-college-layoffs/