Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, now has another challenge on its hands: it could lose its accreditation.
With financial problems, Hampshire announced earlier this year it would not be taking a regular freshman class this fall, and would lay off some faculty and staff.
Two weeks ago, the college's president abruptly resigned.
The New England Commission on Higher Education has announced it wants Hampshire to show why it should not be placed on probation or have its accreditation withdrawn.
The organization's president, Barbara Brittingham, said they're concerned about the college's leadership turnover and its finances.
"It's made some decisions that make it difficult for the commission to know how many students will be attending next fall — next year — and of course, it relies on student tuition for a significant amount of its funding," she said.
In a statement, Hampshire's new president, Ken Rosenthal, said the college welcomes the opportunity to tell the commission about its plans to restructure and prove it's in compliance.
We responded to NECHE today, "We welcome this opportunity to come before the Commission to present our plans as we restructure and financially reinvigorate the College, and to demonstrate that we remain in full compliance with the Commission's standards." https://t.co/n97XboqVlW
— Hampshire College (@hampshirecolg) April 19, 2019
The accreditors will consider Hampshire's pitch in late May.
