Haverford College is a coeducational, undergraduate liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
Haverford is known for its academic excellence, which places it in the top ranks of private liberal arts colleges. Although the college is hardly large, cooperative agreements with Bryn Mawr College, Swarthmore College, and the University of Pennsylvania give Haverford's roughly 1,100 students a wide range of educational and social opportunities. In 2004, college president Tom Tritton announced plans to consider increasing the number of students attending the school. Such a change should also necessitate the expansion of student housing and of other campus buildings.
The college was founded in 1833 by Philadelphia Quakers to provide their sons with higher education. Although Haverford is no longer affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends, the Quaker philosophy, including the tenets of peace and tolerance, still influences campus life.
Orignially an all-male institution, Haverford admitted its first female students in 1980. Today, a little over half of the student body is female.
Rufus Jones and Dave Barry are famous alumni.
The Honor Code
In 1986, the students of Haverford voted to adopt an Honor Code to govern both academic and social affairs. The code does not list specific rules of behavior, but rather outlines a philosophy of respect, integrity, and concern for others that students are expected to follow in both academic and personal matters. The high standards laid out by the Honor Code have contributed to an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect between the students and faculty. The student body convenes an annual Spring Plenary to amend and ratify the Honor Code.
Athletics
Haverford competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Centennial Conference.
The track and field and cross country teams have often been among the best in the division. In 1997, then-senior Karl Paranya became the first (and, as of spring 2005, the only) Division III runner to run a 4:00 mile, running 3:57.6.
The men's soccer team is the nation's oldest and won the first intercollegiate soccer match, over Harvard College in 1905.
The College's football team disbanded after the 1971 season.
The Campus
Haverford is located on the Main Line about 10 miles west of Philadelphia. The school is connected to downtown by the commuter rail system and the highspeed subway extension.
The campus is also an arboretum complete with nature walk, duck pond, and zen garden.
Student Life
Major student social events on campus include Screw Your Roommate, Snowball, La Fiesta, Sundance, and Haverfest.
Admissions
In 2003, Haverford accepted 29% of first-year applicants.
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