Resources Through the Five College Consortium

Five College Cooperation

More than 50 years ago, a tradition of cooperation gradually began evolving among the educational institutions in the Valley which was formalized in 1957 with the appointment of the first Five College Coordinator and the establishment of the Five College Center. Under the auspices of Five College cooperation, students at any institution may take courses or use equipment at any other institution without additional cost. Faculty members from one College may teach courses at another College for a semester or a year, and the Colleges jointly support a number of faculty positions yearly. Academic coordination is facilitated through Five College departments (Dance and Astronomy), interdisciplinary study programs, cooperative M.A. and Ph.D. programs, faculty seminars and coordinated academic calendars.

In addition to the academic interaction and exchanges among the five institutions, there is also an expanding program of cooperation in libraries, public radio, exhibits, concerts, and dramatic productions which has proved beneficial to students, faculty, and staff of all five institutions.

Many academic, social, and cultural activities at all institutions are open to members of the Five College community. Of special interest to employees is the Five College Calendar, published and distributed to all five campuses monthly. The calendar lists numerous lectures, films, art exhibits, theatre productions, concerts, and special programs occurring that month at each of the campuses. For more information on the programs and services (both formal and informal) offered through Five College cooperation, a descriptive brochure entitled "Five College Cooperation" is available from the Registrar's Office, the Office of Communications, or the Five College Center at 97 Spring Street, Amherst.

Five College Bus Service

When College is in session, Five Colleges, Inc. provides free bus service to members of the five College communities on a regular schedule from early in the morning until late in the evening. Regular bus stops at Mount Holyoke are across from Pearsons Hall on College Street and at the Blanchard Campus Center.

Copies of the bus schedule are available at the Information Desk in the Blanchard Campus Center.

U-Mass Five College Federal Credit Union

Mount Holyoke College is a member of the UMass Five College Federal Credit Union, along with Amherst, Hampshire, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts.

Membership is limited to regular full-time, or at least half-time, faculty and staff of Five Colleges, or persons who work on the premises of the Five Colleges for other employers or organizations with a common bond, such as our Alumnae Association.

You become eligible for enrollment immediately upon employment. After an initial deposit, you receive dividends on savings, and you can apply for loans.

The option of payroll deduction is available if you wish to make deposits or payments on loans on a regular basis. Otherwise, deposits or payments on loans may be made directly to the Credit Union.

Some other Credit Union services you may wish to investigate are:

  • Share drafts (checking accounts)
  • ATM (Automated Teller Machines)
  • Regular Share Accounts
  • Share Certificates
  • Money Fund Share Accounts
  • Club Accounts
  • Second Mortgage Equity Loans
  • Personal Loans
  • Revolving Credit Loans
  • Home Improvement Loans

The Credit Union is located at 200 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035. The lobby hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to noon on Saturday. Drive up hours are Monday to Wednesday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Thursday to Friday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to noon. They can be reached by telephone 256-5500 or 800-852-5886 or the UMass Five College Federal Credit Union Web site.

Educational Opportunities in the Valley

Evening class educational opportunities, some free and others at a modest fee are available at the following institutions in the area:

  • University of Massachusetts/Amherst: Division of Continuing Education
  • Holyoke Community College
  • South Hadley High School Adult Education
  • Everywoman Center at the University of Massachusetts

Check the benefits section of this handbook for information on taking courses free of charge at Mount Holyoke. Enrollment of Mount Holyoke employees without cost pertains to Mount Holyoke courses only; there is no Five College reciprocity in this area.