710 College Avenue’s days as a home for eleven Haverford students may be numbered.
Martha Denney, Dean of the College, confirmed this week that the College is considering the sale of 710 as part of a long-term plan. Unoccupied faculty housing may also be sold.
“As part of our long-term strategic plan, the College is considering the utility of all properties,” Dean Denney said in an exclusive Clerk interview. “We have to ask, ‘Is this a property the College wants to continue to invest in?’”
710 has been removed from the list of available housing for the Spring 2015 Room Draw, according to Marianne “Smitty” Smith, Associate Dean of the College and Director of Residential Life.
710 is one of at least ten Haverford-owned homes located along College Avenue or in the neighborhood just to the west of the College, according to the Delaware County property records. 710 was constructed in 1899 and was last assessed by Haverford Township in 2000 to have a value of $285,390. Adjusted for inflation, this would indicate a value of about $389,000.
710 was embroiled in controversy during the Fall 2014 Semester, when members of the men’s lacrosse team were evicted because of disruptive behavior that offended neighbors. Colin Bathory, Head Coach of the men’s lacrosse team, was reached for a statement.
“While I am not going to detail what happened,” said Bathory, “I do not think the potential sale has anything to do with [the incidents in the fall].”
“While we feel absolutely justified in evicting those members of the community from 710, the decision about what to do with the house will ultimately be of a long-term strategic nature,” Dean Denney confirmed.
The College is considering a wide range of issues in its potential decision to sell 710 including maintenance costs, the property’s contribution to the community and operational costs.
One issue that has repeatedly arisen is the fact that 710 is not on the College’s power generator. When the College loses power, a large generator kicks on and provides temporary power for Haverford’s campus. 710 residents must be moved to housing on campus in the event of an extended power loss.
Some students expressed concern about the potential sale of 710. Dylan Verner-Crist ’16, a current resident of 710, expressed mixed feelings about the prospective decision.
“I understand their need to do a cost-benefit analysis,” said Verner-Crist. “But it’s such a nice property. I’ve really enjoyed living there and I know many others have, too. I hope they fully understand the benefit.”
Disclosure: The author’s father, Mark Anderson ’84, lived in 710 College Avenue during his senior year at Haverford.
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