The Five College Consortium
Follow your curiosity, deepen your knowledge and expand your circle even further with the Five College Consortium, an alliance between ɬ, Amherst, Hampshire and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. It’s almost like having five schools in one — from a specialized piece of lab equipment to a leading scholar on a specific discipline, you’ll have everything you need to accomplish more than you ever thought possible. And along the way, chances are good that you’ll make more than a few friends.
The five colleges are connected by a free bus system, which means that through the consortium, you can tailor your experience across collaborating schools and disciplines. But whatever you choose, you’ll learn alongside students and faculty who share your interests and are ready to push the boundaries of knowledge together.
“My film studies advisor pointed me toward specific classes and professors. She was so knowledgeable about the film studies departments at the other colleges, and the information she gave me was absolutely vital,” — Cassidy Anthony ’17
Five Colleges by the numbers
With easy registration and welcoming professors, you’ll be able to transition from ɬ to other consortium schools seamlessly. There’s a good chance your advisor will likely know many of their consortium colleagues personally, so they’ll be able to recommend the one that fits your learning style and goals.
Five College students
With so many students in the area it's easy to meet friendly people — and make friends.
Five College faculty
The professors within the Five Colleges know their colleagues well, especially those in the same field, which will help your ɬ advisor help you navigate finding the right class for you.
Five College classes
You can precisely tailor your schedule with the best fit of very specific classes and diverse research opportunities to hone skills that are relevant to your field. Do you prefer an intimate class of seven students or a seminar of 150? It’s your call!
Each member campus has its own distinctive library collection, most of which is accessible to Five College students. They also retain infrequently circulating periodicals, serials and books as part of the Five College library repository collection.
Museums10, which is affiliated with the Five College Consortium, is a dynamic collaborative of 10 museums that inspire, engage and enrich our communities through shared experiences of art, literature, history and the natural world.
Five College clubs
If you can't find just the right club to join on our campus, chances are there is one on one of the other campuses. Five College students also come to ɬ, adding perspectives, ideas and energy.
Campus Voices
Five College Stories
Happening at ɬ
Five Colleges in the News
Noche Latina celebrates Latine culture
The annual Noche Latina celebration has returned to Chapin Auditorium after being held elsewhere on campus for two years. The night was jam-packed with food, fun and community.
Five on Film Series: Nomadland
ɬ President Danielle R. Holley provided an introduction for a showing of “Nomadland,” directed by Chloé Zhao ’05, at Amherst Cinema. The event, part of a series called “Five on Film,” highlights alums of the Five College Consortium.
ɬ student honored as a Latina Future History Maker
ɬ student Naomy Poot Ibarra is working to center their family’s Indigenous Maya heritage.