ORANGE - A 48-year-old South Hadley art professor is charged with attempted murder after police say she attacked and beat an elderly Leverett resident with a number of objects including a fire poker just before Christmas.

Rie Hachiyanagi pleaded not guilty in Orange District Court on Friday to a charge of armed assault with intent to murder a person over the age of 60. She is also charged with three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, one count of mayhem and one count of armed assault in a dwelling.

Hachiyanagi is a professor of art and chair of the art studio at Mount Holyoke College. She has been with the college since 2004. She is now on administrative leave and is not allowed on the South Hadley campus.

The victim, who was not identified to the press by police, is also a faculty member at Mount Holyoke, according to a college spokeswoman.

Christian Feuerstein, the college’s director of news and media information, issued a statement that described the assault as “a serious incident involving two Mount Holyoke College faculty members.” She noted that it occurred off-campus and during the winter recess.

The statement in full reads:

“During the winter recess, there was a serious incident involving two Mount Holyoke faculty members. The incident occurred off-campus and resulted in the hospitalization of one faculty member who is receiving care. We understand that the other faculty member involved is in custody and facing criminal charges. This individual has been placed on administrative leave from the College and is not permitted on our campus pending further review of the incident. We will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies in support of their ongoing investigations. We take very seriously the safety and well-being of every member of our community, and the College is providing support to impacted parties as appropriate.”

Hachiyanagi was ordered held without the right to bail at the Franklin County House of Correction pending a dangerousness hearing, which will determine under what conditions she may be released before trial. The heading is scheduled for Feb. 4 in Orange District Court.

Police charge that Hachiyanagi attacked the victim at the person’s home in Leverett between Dec. 23 and 24. She is accused of using a rock, fire poker and gardening shears in the assault.

The victim was severely injured but is expected to survive, according to Mary Carey, communications director for Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan.