Hampshire College in Massachusetts is closing its doors. The board announced Thursday the small liberal arts college cannot survive. The school faced years of money problems it could not solve.

Hampshire was known as one of America's most welcoming places for LGBTQ+ students. The college had its own queer student centre. It offered strong support programmes. Last year, Hampshire made news welcoming students from closing New College of Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis transformed that college with anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Hampshire also hosted a national conference on queer issues in higher education.

But the college could not overcome its financial troubles. Student numbers dropped below 750. The board states the college faced 'years of growing financial problems' it could not fix. 'We face the heartbreaking reality that our hopes were not realised', the board said.

Hampshire is part of the Five College Consortium. This partnership includes five nearby colleges in Amherst. It remains unclear when the college will finally close. Plans for students and staff support are not yet announced.