Haverford College

Haverford College is a coeducational, undergraduate liberal arts college in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Student life

While the workload is generally considered heavy, students usually manage to find time to relax and have fun, especially on weekends. Weekend activities range from the usual college options of a cappella singing groups, indie bands, student films, and improv comedy, to more unusual adventures, such as tag or sardines in the INSC (Integrated Natural Sciences Center). Of the nation's 357 "best" colleges, the Princeton Review ranks Haverford as #6 for Best Overall Undergraduate Experience.

Related Topics:
A cappella - Improv comedy - Sardines

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In 2002, a group of students founded a computing club called FIG (a recursive acronym for FIG Is Good). Services provided by FIG include the college's first student portal, Go!, and server space for students. In 2003 FIG created discussion boards as a part of Go!, called the Go! Boards. Amid controversy, the boards have come to constitute much of the discussion on campus as well as providing a place for procrastination. Future FIG plans include online photo albums for students, kiosks, and possibly a more customizable Go! including Go! Sports.

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Free music events are often presented in the basement of Lunt (a student dorm), adjacent to the always-popular Lunt Cafe. Professional funk, rock, blues, and jazz bands are brought in by the Federation of United Concert Series, a student organization. Student musicians have created a vibrant musical community on campus, forming (in 2005) at least ten bands whose styles include jam rock, hardcore punk, folk, and jazz. Haverford boasts excellent practice facilities. In 2005, students created a recording studio and a record label, Black Squirrel Records, which in April released a compilation album that featured Haverford student bands.

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Many students are involved in volunteering, either on their own or through Haverford's volunteer coordination organization, Eighth Dimension. Volunteer opportunities are especially plentiful due to Haverford's proximity to Philadelphia. Activism is also a part of student life, and groups such as the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), Students Toward a New Democracy (STAND), Amnesty International, College Republicans, and College Democrats have a presence on campus. The student body tends to be politically liberal.

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Major student social events on campus also include Screw Your Roommate, Snowball, La Fiesta, Sundance, and Haverfest (a weekend-long party at the end of the year).

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In 2004, college president Tom Tritton said the school was considering increasing the number of students. This would require the expansion of student housing and other campus buildings.

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