The New England Commission of Higher Education has voted to continue the Hampshire College accreditation after reviewing its progress report and five-year plans.
Commissioners lifted their notation on the Massachusetts-based college for complying with the standard of Organization and Governance citing significant progress in this area.
The college had been experiencing declining enrollments and financial crunch. It received its first show cause notice from the commission for not meeting various standards in April.
Also in April, President Miriam “Mim” Nelson quit her post over growing concerns regarding the future of the college.
“We thank the Commissioners for their careful review and affirmation of our compliance with the Commission’s standards for accreditation,” said President Ed Wingenbach, who made accreditation a priority when he began his tenure in August.
“Upholding our accreditation is a critical step toward securing a long future for Hampshire College. As we told NECHE, we see our path forward as ambitious, data-driven, and achievable.”
The college is now working on long-term financial sustainability and rebuilding to full enrollment and attracting a diverse population of students. It is also launching a campaign to raise $60 million in funding by 2024.
Currently, the college is recruiting new students for 2020 and has conducted a rapid, community-wide process to reinvent its curriculum and student experience.