An overhead view of the R.W. Kern Center on the Hampshire College campus. Photo: Courtesy Hampshire College
AMHERST, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A progressive Liberal Arts college in Amherst is courting students from Florida whose school took a sudden right turn.
Hampshire College said last week that any students from the New College of Florida were welcome to enroll, and that they'd even match tuition costs.
New College in Sarasota is a public state college which had a progressive reputation. It was taken over by Florida's state Department of Education on Jan 6. Board members were quickly replaced by conservatives hand-picked by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and disbanded the college's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office.
In response, Hampshire College is offering admission to any New College students in good standing. Hampshire doesn't have majors, but instead has students pick and choose their classes to create their own area of study, called a "Division III." It's a very similar academic and campus culture to New College.
Hampshire College President Ed Wingenbach told WBZ NewsRadio that the similarity between the schools was a big part of why it started this program. Another big reason is that both colleges are intensely pro-LGBTQ, with LGBTQ students making up more than half of Hampshire College.
At about $55,000 for 2023-2024, tuition at Hampshire is significantly more expensive than New College, but administration officials are willing to match tuition costs to bring New College students aboard.
Wingenbach said the school could take a financial hit, but it was worth it. "We wanted to make sure that no student at New College was financially burdened by trying to escape the position they've been put in by Florida," he said.
"This is not going to stop with New College," he said, "and those of us who care about freedom and free thought, and democratic education should be doing what we can to push back."
A New College spokesperson called the program "invitations and stunts...for media attention," and said it is "not truly meant in the best interest of the students."
"We are not sure how the Northeast colleges intend to lure away students," they said.
Hampshire College confirmed the school had 19 inquiries from New College students, four active applications and one student that transferred before the program was announced but still got tuition matching.
Updated 3/17 6:20 a.m.
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