2009 Statement to Executive Cabinet

Re-Rad Statement to the Executive Cabinet, March 2010

As students concerned about the future of Hampshire College and the continued commitment to its unique pedagogy, we are here to express our dismay at the current plans to increase the size of the class of 2011. Hampshire College provides students an opportunity to create a rigorous academic program with an emphasis on a relationship between students and professors. Close collaboration with professors, and detailed personal evaluations written by these professors, depend upon our small size.

To increase the size of the incoming class would compromise the integrity of Hampshire’s educational philosophy and harm the Hampshire community as a whole.

An increased class size would place undue strain on professors and staff, who are already burdened beyond their limits.

An increased class size would lead to larger classes, which would detract from classroom discussions and limit the quality of feedback on students’ work.

An increased class size would further strain support services such as Health Services, HCEMS, Public Safety, the Writing Center and CASA.

An increased class size will damage Hampshire's diversity, with housing policies that disadvantage low-income students and force students who consider Hampshire a safe space out of their home.

An increased class size would fragment the community, increasing social isolation and student dissatisfaction.

In order to address the above concerns:

1. We demand a commitment from the administration to accept no more students than would yield a projected incoming first-year class of 400 students.

2. We demand guaranteed on-campus housing for four years, as is promised to all students in the Hampshire College admissions literature.

3. We demand a concrete and meaningful role for students, staff and faculty in the process of crafting both long-term and immediate budget priorities, with information provided in a timely and complete manner. All members of the Hampshire community must have the opportunity to participate in these decision-making processes. Instead of attempting to increase the size of Hampshire College without a commensurate increase in resources, we should be considering innovative solutions to our financial situation.

Instead of attempting to increase the size of Hampshire College without a commensurate increase in resources, we should be considering innovative solutions to our financial situation.