Spiegelman said the University has sold 13 ofthese buildings to date. She said the Universitysold several of the buildings to the city ofCambridge--a move that has created 100 units ofadditional low income housing for city residents.

"This is an effort to say that the money theUniversity has in these real estate assets mightbe used in better ways toward furthering theeducational purposes of the institution,"Spiegelman said.

She characterized the University's actions as a"recycling" of Harvard properties, as it firstoffers them to current tenants, then to Universityfaculty members, and finally to buyers on the openmarket. She said many faculty members haveindicated their interest in purchasing residentialproperty in Cambridge.

Although Spiegelman acknowledged that Harvardcannot be equally as generous to everyneighborhood organization, she said thetransaction reflects the University's attempts atbeing a good neighbor.

"This sale is an acknowledgement of ourresponsibility in the community," Spiegelman said.

DeLancey said she appreciated the University'sefforts.

"Harvard has made an effort wherever possibleto make something like this possible," she said."It's a real asset for the community and theneighborhood to know that we'll always have this[building].