I had two reactions — one professional and one personal — to the announcement that Hampshire, my alma mater, is seeking a strategic partner. Professionally (as a nonprofit organizational development consultant since 1982), I know that nonprofits rarely seek to merge when they are strong. They wait until they are weak, ignoring Hemingway’s counsel on how one goes bankrupt: “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” A weak merger partner has little leverage to negotiate respectable terms. If Hampshire is on a declining glide path and needs a merger partner, then starting soon, from a position of relative strength, is wise. Doing so, if warranted by economics, is both courageous and smart. But it is never popular. Sacrificing short-term gain for long-term gain never is.
The biggest obstacle to mergers can be an organization’s commitment to its current form. I’ve seen many organizations make self-destructive choices — to the sustainability of their mission and institution — rather than change form. The president and trustees seem properly aligned in their commitment to preserve the mission and values of Hampshire, if not its current form.
My other reaction was personal. Just sadness, like with the loss of a loved one. As President Nelson said in her announcement letter, I too believe Hampshire can emerge stronger from this, but it will be different. The chaotic purity of what the Hampshire community has both struggled with and enjoyed over these 50 years will transition to something else. This can be disorienting and painful when we hold on. But exciting and momentous when we flow with what is emerging. This is our community’s next great collective act of “creative floundering.” Hampshire was designed as an experimenting institution because higher education needed radical innovation, and we forever changed it.
Now higher education, with its small colleges fearing the specter of declining enrollments, increasing competition and higher costs, once again needs innovation. The positive response Hampshire has received from the higher-education community shows its hunger for someone to show a path forward. Hampshire once again can lead and, by experimenting with a new form, show the way.
Jay W. Vogt
Concord