Family & Friends
Research has shown that involvement in your student’s college experience directly affects their academic and personal success. The information on this page has been designed to provide you with helpful hints and to show how you can be involved as a Chatham University parent. We have made an attempt to identify some of the common areas of concern expressed by parents and families over the years, and to provide straightforward answers and additional campus resources. We hope you will bookmark this page and refer to it often during the time your student is at Chatham.
The college years are never easy; they are a time of new friendships, new responsibilities, and new academic and social opportunities. There will be times of joy, sadness, anxiety, frustration and celebration. We are engaged in a partnership— you, your student and the University.
Our common goal is to create a self-assured, productive individual who is prepared to lead and to face an ever-changing world. The fact that you are visiting this page speaks to your commitment to your student’s experience at Chatham. Take every opportunity to visit the campus, especially during Family & Friends Weekend in the fall.
Please let us know if there is anything with which we can assist. Once again, welcome to Chatham University!
Meet the Staff
The Office of Student Affairs oversees Family & Friends services and programs. The staff members below are your points of contact and can assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
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Julianne Dunphy |
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Sherri Scott |
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Zauyah Waite, Ph.D. |
Your New Student
Click on the links below to go to the direct section or scroll down the page:
Orientation
During the Undergraduate New & Transfer Student Orientation, there is a Family & Friends Session and Reception specifically designed for parents and families of new and transfer students.
» Visit the New Student Orientation page
Parenting a College Student
Parenting a College Student
1. Support you student's changing values
2. Adjust to changes in students during their first year at college
3. Parents should still be mentors by:
- Offering advice and encouragement
- Promoting independence and responsibility
- Trusting your student
- Managing life in and out of the classroom
- Personal & financial responsibility (living within a budget, using credit cards, paying bills)
- Discuss expectations in advance
- Doing own laundry (practice at home in advance)
- Sharing a room - respecting personal space, communication skills, setting ground rules
- Scheduling health appointments/managing prescriptions
- Public transportation
- Working with faculty and staff - student should feel comfortable seeking assistance if needed
- Making smart choices about alcohol and drugs
- Personal and property saftey - walk in groups, keep valuable items locked up, keep rooms locked, never get into a car with someone under the influence,etc...
- Fire saftey - find evacuation routes, don't place objects on extension cords, etc...
Stay Connected
Phone, Email and Snail Mail:
- Student will not respond to all contacts
- Be sure to visit...but not too often
- Friends & Family Weekend
Checking-In With Your Student
- Allow your student to explore new ideas and beliefs without being judgmental
- Refer your student to counseling services if you see signs of bigger problems
Be Knowledgeable About Campus Resources
- Allow your student to explore new ideas and beliefs without being judgemental
- Refer your student to the appropiate campus resources when they have issues
Continue to Have Difficult Conversations
- Parents still have a great deal of influence in their child's life so have an open relationship with your student making them comfortable coming to you with issues
- Respect your student as an adult
Ask Questions - But Not Too Many
- Show your student that you are interested in their life without being intrusive
- Don't make conversations feel like a lecture or test
- Ask about what they're getting invloved in
Expect Changes
- Your student will change intellectually, socially, and personally.
- This can be stressful on the parent/child relationship - you can't stop change - this is normal
What Should I Bring to Campus?
Via the link below are a list of the items necessary for your stay in the residence halls and/or items you may wish to bring to make your residential living experience more comfortable. With this checklist, we hope that your packing for the start of college life will be easier. Be sure to check with your roommate to avoid duplication of items such as a television, a small refrigerator, etc... What to Bring Checklist
Do NOT Bring:
You should NOT bring the following items, which are banned form the residence halls for saftey reasons:
- pets (excluding aquarium fish)
- candles, incense & burner
- hot plate, toaster oven,or any other appliance with an exposed heating coil (permitted only in the Chatham Apartments)
- halogen lamps of any wattage
- space heater (unless provided by the College)
- air conditioner (unless approved for use)
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact the Office of Residence Life at 412-365-1518
Additional Resources for Parents
New Student Life
- Student Life
- Residential Life
- Campus Dining
- Parking
- Campus Transportation
- Events & Activities
- Student Organizations
- Religious Life
- International Students
- Health
- Tuition
- Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Awards
- Chatham Family & Friends Association
- Family & Friends Weekend
- Care Packages
Student Employment Program
There are many opportunities for part-time, avademic-year employment. The largest is the Federal Student Employment Program, which provides many employment opportunities for students on campus as well as in the community. These positions are posted throught the NACElink Network Database. To be eligible for the Federal Student Employment Program, your student must recieve a student employment award as part of your financial aid package. For additional information about the Financial Aid process, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 412-365-1777.
Career Development also post part-time positions that do not require financial aid awards. These positions are listed on the NACElink Network Database and advertised through the weekly Career Development E-news.
Insurance
Chatham University requires all students to carry health insurance. The Health Insurance Enrollment deadlins is in July. Coverage can be provided by the university sponsored accident and sickness insurance plan or through your own comparable health insurance. If you plan to be a full-time student and have alternative coverage, you must waive enrollment in the Chatham University plan by completing an online wavier. Any student who does not complete the waiver will automatically be enrolled in the Chatham University Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan and the premium billed to their student account. Information about the health insurance requirement, the accident and sickness insurance plan, and the waiver process is mailed to all students upon registration. Information can also be obtained by contacting Sharon Lewis in the Office of Student Accounts at 412-365-2797 or slewis@chatham.edu.
Visiting Chatham University & Pittsburgh
Info on Chatham
- History of Chatham
- Campus Tours & Open Houses
- Hours of Operation
- Visitors Bureau
- Shopping & Dining
- Squirrel Hill
- Shadyside
- Waterfront
- South Side
- Hotels
- Airport
- Entertainment
- Sports Teams, Music, Theatre, Movies
- Around Town
- Churches, Banks, Hair Salons, Parks, Theatres, Museums, Grocery,etc...
- Weather
| Admissions: | 9am - 5pm |
| Financial Aid: | 8am - 5pm |
| Bookstore: | Mon - Thurs 9am - 6pm |
| Friday 9am - 4pm | |
| Saturday 10am - 2pm | |
| Registrar: | 8am - 5pm |
| Student Affairs: | 9am - 5pm |
| Student Activities: | 9am - 5pm |
| Student Accounts: | 8am - 5pm |
| Pace Center: | Mon - Thurs 9am - 7pm |
| Friday 9am - 5pm | |
| Sunday 6pm - 8pm | |
| Library: | Mon - Thurs 7:45am - 12am |
| Friday 7:45am - 5pm | |
| Saturday 8am - 7pm | |
| Sunday 12pm - 12am | |
| Residence Life: | |
| Athletic & Fitness Center: | |
| IT: | |
| Health Services: | |
| Counseling Services: | |
| Anderson Dining Hall: | |
| Weathervane Cafe: | |
| Cafe Rachel: | |
| McCrady Cafe: |
