Hampshire College President Quits Amid Rift Over School's Future

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — The president of Hampshire College has quit her post amid mounting turmoil over the future of the small private school.

College officials announced Friday that Miriam Nelson submitted a letter of resignation Wednesday and left effective Friday afternoon. A statement from Nelson says she's confident a new leader will "find a path to daylight that has eluded me."

The college announced this year it was seeking a merger and would not admit a full class for next year amid financial strain. Enrollment has dropped 20 percent in the past five years, resulting in deep budget deficits.

But some alumni criticized Nelson, saying she should have pursued less drastic options. The school's interim president is Ken Rosenthal, who helped found the school in the 1960s and later served as a trustee.

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