On the eve of its 50th anniversary, everything changed for Hampshire College. To a stunned college community, then president Miriam “Mim” Nelson announced that, amid financial struggles, the school needed a long term partner to save it. On Feb. 1, Hampshire’s trustees voted not to accept a first-year class in 2019 — a remarkable decision at a college that receives almost 90 percent of its revenue from tuition and fees.

Turmoil followed at the iconoclastic school known for its student-led educational model and radical politics. Students staged a 75-day occupation of the president’s office and a coalition across campus rushed to create an alternative “re-envisioning” plan to save the school. The crisis sharply divided the Hampshire community, eventually leading to the resignation of Nelson and nine trustees in early April. Hampshire’s board then voted to pursue maintaining independence through an unprecedented fundraising campaign.

However, with a first-year class of just 13 — and with some 150 students transferring out amid the chaos — the school shrunk in half by the time classes started in September. That loss of revenue led to sweeping layoffs of staff and deep job cuts for faculty. The effects of the crisis sent ripples across the local economy.

Throughout the crisis, Daily Hampshire Gazette investigative journalist Dusty Christensen’s reporting exposed behind-the-scenes negotiations and the human impact of the college’s financial struggles. That work was eventually chronicled in a theatrically released documentary about the saga.

Beyond just beat reporting, Christensen dug deep, using investigative work to document Hampshire’s failed attempts to partner with a nearby university, UMass Amherst. He fought a six-month public records battle with that university to obtain emails that called into question the reason Hampshire’s leadership decided not to admit a full 2019 class. And he used creative internet sleuthing to learn that 9 trustees resigned together with the college president — a far larger number than the college had publicly announced.

Below you’ll find highlights of that exhaustive work, followed by the entirety of the “Hampshire in Transition” series — a body of 60 stories:

Highlights

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Complete series

SEPTEMBER
“Hampshire College salutes tiny incoming class.” Sept. 3, 2019.
“Hampshire College brings former Smith officer on as development chief.” Sept. 3, 2019.

AUGUST
“Emails show UMass set ‘draconian’ conditions for Hampshire College merger.” Aug. 30, 2019.
“Hampshire College retains more students than expected for school year.” Aug. 26, 2019.
“Dining workers mark end of Hampshire College contract, era.” Aug. 14, 2019.
“New Hampshire College leader bringing future into focus.” Aug. 9, 2019.

JULY
“New Hampshire College president: ‘We have a really good story to tell.'” July 18, 2019.
“Hampshire College names Edward Wingenbach eighth president.” July 17, 2019.
“Hampshire College names interim CFO, director of operations.” July 17, 2019.
“Massachusetts education chief to talk college closures in Amherst.” July 5, 2019.
“Hampshire College bringing finalists for president to campus.” July 4, 2019.

JUNE
“Hampshire College plans to admit full class in 2020.” June 25, 2019.
“Hampshire College ‘in danger’ of having accreditation withdrawn.” June 7, 2019.
“Nervous but optimistic: Incoming Hampshire College students on why they’re attending this fall.” June 3, 2019.

MAY
“10 Hampshire College trustees resigned in April.” May 29, 2019.
“Who will be the next leader of Hampshire College? Trustees announce presidential search committee.” May 21, 2019.
“Hampshire seniors showcase signature final projects.” May 17, 2019.
“Massachusetts lawmakers mull oversight of ailing colleges.” May 13, 2019.
“Hampshire College announces incoming fall class of 15 students.” May 8, 2019.
“Burns upbeat on Hampshire College’s fundraising effort.” May 7, 2019.
“‘Grieving mode’: Hampshire College community reacts to staff, faculty losses.” May 3, 2019.

APRIL
“Hampshire College cutting 24 staffers, reducing faculty contracts.” April 30, 2019.
“Pizza, books and snacks: Small businesses near Hampshire College bracing for fewer students.” April 19, 2019.
“Hampshire College’s accreditation in jeopardy.” April 19, 2019.
“Hampshire College students end sit-in at president’s office.” April 17, 2019.
“Working on Plan A: Hampshire College’s new interim president to focus on fundraising, path to independence.” April 12, 2019.
“Mixed reactions in wake of resignation.” April 6, 2019.
“UMass President Meehan opens up about talks with Hampshire College.” April 5, 2019.
“Hampshire College President Miriam ‘Mim’ Nelson, trustee resign.” April 5, 2019.
“Captive insurance company eyes dropping Hampshire College.” April 4, 2019.
“34 food service workers at Hampshire College to lose jobs by August.” April 3, 2019.
“Second Hampshire College trustee resigns.” April 2, 2019.
“Chairwoman of Hampshire College’s board of trustees resigns.” April 1, 2019.

MARCH
“Working group finds Hampshire College’s fiscal state ‘worrisome.'” March 26, 2019.
“A different path: Hampshire community to unveil plan to trustees Sunday.” March 22, 2019.
“Ken Burns, other famous alumni join new Hampshire College committee.” March 21, 2019.
“Hampshire College president removes belongings from office amid sit-in.” March 21, 2019.
“Lawmakers raise concerns over Hampshire College crisis.” March 21, 2019.
“Crafting a message: The powerhouse PR and lobbying firm behind Hampshire’s media strategy.” March 10, 2019.
“Crisis and collaboration: Hampshire College faculty propose alternative vision for school’s future.” March 7, 2019.
“Hampshire College students warned of readmission, graduation limits.” March 6, 2019.

FEBRUARY
“Five College Consortium ‘eager as anybody’ to know where Hampshire is headed.” Feb. 28, 2019.
“Hampshire faculty table vote of no confidence.” Feb. 27, 2019.
“Emails show talks between Hampshire and UMass about possible partnership.” Feb. 22, 2019.
“Hampshire College professors push vote of no confidence in college leaders.” Feb. 21, 2019.
“Legislators speak to how Hampshire news impacts constituents, cultural village.” Feb. 20, 2019.
“Hampshire College to lay off 9 staff members.” Feb. 19, 2019.
“‘Pain, anger and mistrust’ prompts response from former Hampshire president Jonathan Lash.” Feb. 18, 2019.
“Hampshire College future explored as trustees support president.” Feb. 18, 2019.
“Alums call on Hampshire College to reverse decision to not enroll first-year class.” Feb. 16, 2019.
“Hampshire College announces layoffs coming Tuesday.” Feb. 14, 2019.
“Hampshire College leaders explain decision to not admit a full class.” Feb. 9, 2019.
“The ripple effect of Hampshire’s decision to not admit a fall class.” Feb. 9, 2019.
“Amherst keeping close eye on changes at Hampshire College.” Feb. 6, 2019.
“Hampshire College won’t accept an incoming class this fall; gap, early admission students will be admitted.” Feb. 1, 2019.

JANUARY
“Tensions on campus as Hampshire College board votes on incoming class.” Jan. 31, 2019.
“Massachusetts eyes new office to protect students at cash-strapped colleges.” Jan. 25, 2019.
“Higher ed mergers offer insights for Hampshire College’s future.” Jan. 17, 2019.
“Alumni uncertain what partnership means for Hampshire College.” Jan. 16, 2019.
“Facing fiscal challenges, Hampshire College seeks long-term partner.” Jan. 15, 2019.