HAMILTON — Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has been the subject of some controversy in recent years, yet it's likely many residents have never set foot on its grounds. From the classroom to the great outdoors, that looks like it will soon change.
The school is evaluating its campus to identify space for two soccer fields for use by the town's children at no charge. School spokeswoman Anne Doll said that while there's still work to do, "we're thinking it's a great idea."
Doll said the school was also approached by the selectmen about opening courses to townspeople. Doll said Friday that the school has already begun preparing for that to happen during the coming spring semester.
The courses would be audited, so there won't be any credit, but on the other hand, there won't be any tests to take. Doll said there will probably also be no charge.
Doll noted that some courses require knowledge of Greek or Hebrew, so would probably not be suitable for the average resident. She anticipates survey courses of such things as the New and Old Testaments and church history will likely be the ones offered.
"We want to identify classes that would be helpful for the community," Doll said.
Some residents have complained for years that the school, which pays no property taxes, wasn't giving the town enough money every year in lieu of taxes to pay for the cost of educating the children of seminary students who attend the regional schools.
At the recent Special Town Meeting, David Carey, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, announced the school is donating $100,000 this year. The school sends about 40 children to the district each year.
Seminary officials have said they have a very small enrollment and a tiny endowment fund, and rely heavily on tuition to pay for operating expenses. And they say the economy has been tough on them, too, and they've had to take budget-tightening measures such as freezing wages and not filling staff positions.
As both a religious and educational institution, the seminary is constitutionally exempt from taxation and is not required to make any payments in lieu of taxes.
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