Hampshire College, a liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, is set to close permanently following the fall semester due to persistent low enrollment and financial difficulties. Founded in 1965, the college's board of trustees acknowledged that efforts to increase enrollment and stabilize finances have not met expectations. As a result, the institution will cease operations, impacting its student body significantly. Final-year students will be allowed to complete their degrees with access to campus housing and support, while first- through third-year students will have transfer agreements with several partner colleges, including Amherst College and UMass Amherst. The college will also refund deposits for accepted students. Joan Priester, a sophomore, noted that the closure reflects a broader trend of nearly 300 higher education institutions closing across the U.S. from 2008 to 2023. Filmmaker Ken Burns, an alumnus, lamented the loss, emphasizing the college's impact on his life and the importance of its liberal arts ethos.