Family & Friends

Now more than ever, family and friends are involved in the life of students. Chatham university recognizes the desire of this larger community to connect with the academic, social, and co-curricular life of the campus. There are many ways in which family and friends learn about the institution and contribute to the educational experience of students. Participating in organizations such at the Chatham Family and Friends Association, and attending campus events such as Family and Friends Weekend, athletic events, performances, and lectures that are open to the public are just a few of the opportunities available to family and friends to connect with the institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do parents routinely receive copies of student grades?

No.  The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits the sharing of grades without a signed waiver from the student.

Is class attendance mandatory?

Chatham University does not have a universal policy regarding class attendance.  Each instructor may set his/her own standards for attendance.

Can students change classes?

Students may make adjustments to their schedules when they meet with their advisors during orientation. They may make further changes any time during the add-drop period. After the add/drop period students are permitted to withdraw from a course, but they may not add courses because they will have missed too much of the course content. There is a deadline to withdraw and students should discuss the implications of a withdrawal with their academic advisor. These dates are posted each semester on the academic calendar on the Chatham Website.

How does the advising system work at Chatham?

Each first-year student is assigned to a first-year advisor.  We use the student’s academic/major interests as a guide in determining who the first-year advisor will be.  Students may declare a major at any time after the first semester.  When she declares a major, the student may change advisors to a faculty member specifically connected to her discipline.  Transfer students often declare their majors immediately, and are assigned to a faculty member in their discipline.  Students may request a change of advisor at any time by consulting with the director of academic advising and career counseling.

Where do students buy their textbooks and other school supplies?

The Chatham University Bookstore is located on campus in the Carriage House and stocks textbooks for all courses, as well as other books, school supplies, and Chatham University sportswear and memorabilia.  Online purchases may be made on their website, http://www.chatham.bkstr.com . 

My student is receiving financial aid from Chatham University.  Do we need to apply every year?

Students receiving scholarship only from Chatham University do not need to apply every year.  This award is renewed annually provided the student has met the cumulative GPA requirements.  Students who receive all other types of financial aid (e.g. Stafford Loan, work-study) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 15, each year.

Is continuing financial aid contingent on academic performance?

Students receiving merit scholarship from Chatham University must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 in order for the scholarship to be renewed.  Grades are reviewed for continued scholarship eligibility once a student has completed two terms of full-time study.  All types of Chatham aid are available for eight terms of full-time study.

Based on the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, full-time students who receive financial aid must complete at least 12 credits each semester and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0 in order to continue receiving funding.  Part-time students must complete at least 75% of the credits attempted and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.  The academic progress of financial aid recipients will be monitored at least once per academic year.  Students will be notified in writing of their status.

• Students failing to meet the standards set forth will be permitted to receive financial aid for up to two probationary terms to re-establish progress.
• At the end of the first probationary term the student’s academic record will be reviewed.  If progress has not been re-established, the student will be placed on her second and final financial aid probationary term.
• At the end of the final probationary term, the student’s academic record will again be reviewed.  Failure to re-establish progress will result in financial aid suspension.  During this time students are not permitted to receive financial aid.
• A student whose aid has been terminated may appeal the decision by: (1) providing a statement explaining the basis for the appeal – outlining the extenuating circumstances that let to the failure of meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress; and (2) providing a statement regarding how she will be able to re-establish progress. 

Letters of appeal are submitted to:

Director of Financial Aid/Appeal Committee
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA  15232

Is work-study income taxable?

Yes

Should Chatham University students carry health insurance coverage?

All full-time students are required to present proof of health insurance.  Students who do not have current health insurance may purchase the Chatham University Sickness and Accident insurance plan.  It is available to all registered students (both full-time and part-time) and will help insure that they are able to receive adequate medical treatment when necessary.  This insurance policy will also offer them the flexibility to utilize both the local health systems as well as Chatham Health Services.

How are students with disabilities accommodated?

Chatham University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and services for students with diagnosed disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.  The Chatham University PACE Center, located on the third floor of the Jennie King Mellon Library (412-365-1523), coordinates all academic accommodations for student with disabilities at Chatham.

Students interested in registering for academic accommodations must be prepared to provide appropriate documentation of their disabilities so that reasonable accommodations may be determined.  It is the responsibility of each student requesting accommodations to initiate that process at the beginning of each new term by contacting the Assistant Dean of the PACE Center at (412) 365-1611.  The process must be repeated at the beginning or each new term.

Academic accommodations for students with disabilities include, but are no limited to, the following;

• Adapted testing, including extended time, distraction-limited environment, oral exam administration, and/or testing on a computer;
• Readers;
• Note-takers;
• Tape-recorded textbooks;
• Sign-language interpreters
• Adaptive computer technology;
• Permission to tape lectures;
• Accessible classroom assignments.

The Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Office, (412) 365-1286, is able to proved general information.  They are also able to refer family and friends to other appropriate offices that can discuss specific concerns.

What happens if there is an emergency and I need to reach my student when campus offices are closed?

The Public Safety Office operates 24 hours, 7 days a week and can assist you in an emergency.  They can be reached at (412) 365-1111.

What happens if students have problems with their room or roommates?

Students who have a physical problem with their room (e.g. light bulb, broken shelf) should contact their Resident Advisor who will submit a request to the Facilities Office.  If a student is having problems with her roommate, the Resident Advisor and Graduate Resident Director are trained to facilitate communication.  For more information, visit the Residence Life website at http://www.chatham.edu/studentlife_v2/resident_family.cfm.

What about laundry?

All residence halls have at least one laundry facility.  The fee for laundry is included with the cost of housing so students do not need money to operate the machines.

Where can I find information about crime on campus?

The Public Safety Office publishes an annual report of all crimes reported to their office, http://www.chatham.edu/campusservices/publicsafety_crimestats.cfm.

Can students living on campus have a car?

Only seniors and commuters are permitted to have cars on campus.  The Public Safety Office provides complete information about registering vehicles, http://www.chatham.edu/campusservices/publicsafety_parking.cfm.