Hampshire College in Massachusetts is closing. The board announced Thursday the small liberal arts college cannot survive. The school has faced money problems for years.

Hampshire was known as welcoming for LGBTQ+ students in America. The school had a centre for queer students and offered support. Last year Hampshire welcomed students from closing New College of Florida. That college was changed by Governor Ron DeSantis with anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Hampshire also organised a national queer conference in higher education.

Yet the school could not overcome financial problems. Student numbers fell below 750. The board says the school could not solve 'years of growing financial problems.' 'We face the heartbreaking reality that our hope did not come true,' the board states.

Hampshire is part of the Five College Consortium. This is cooperation of five nearby colleges in Amherst. It is unclear when the school will close or how students will be helped.