Is Hampshire College in perpetual crisis or merely navigating a turbulent chapter? Students have witnessed firsthand the impact of painful cuts: 9% of non-academic staff laid off, a staggering 25% reduction in library personnel, retirement contributions suspended, and work-study hours slashed. This article dives deep into these pressing issues, offering a fresh perspective, thoughtful critique, and innovative solutions to help Hampshire move beyond its current state of precarity and austerity. Drawing from my experiences as an alum, activist, and journalist, along with on-the-ground and online research, I aim to shed light on Hampshire’s challenges within the historical and broader higher education context.

I have been unafraid to criticize Hampshire College, my alma mater, as shown by articles I have written in the past. But I feel that a recent story lacked a grounding in Hampshire’s history, financial recovery path and place in today’s higher education landscape.

Why did Hampshire College, an iconic progressive institution saved from closure in 2019, outsource Information Technology (IT) service to a national for-profit and lay off dedicated employees, some of whom had been there for decades?

Hampshire's president, Ed Wingenbach, says there will be financial savings and improved nimbleness. Many in the community claim benefits will be elusive and the harm to the community all too real. This article goes on a journey deep into outsourcing - because this is not just a one-time issue but a high-stakes example of a story we must learn from - if we want Hampshire to thrive over the long run.