Housing reservation fees are $150 for any room type and due before the student can be assigned. This $150 is directly applied to the students account.

The tentative standard room rate for 2008-09 is $2100 per semester; single rooms are $2520 per semester. Spring semester housing includes Maymester, where applicable.

Housing applications are due, via my.Chatham, on May 31st. Housing assignments for new first year students will be sent out on or about July 1st. Applications for housing received after the May 31st deadline will be processed on a rolling basis, and assignments made to what is available.

Returning student room draw is held in early April every year.

What comes with the room?
All student bedrooms come furnished with a single bed, desk and desk chair, dresser and either a closet or a wardrobe. Apartments also come with one set of common area furniture: coffee table, couch, chair, and dinette set. All students have access to the campus network and phone systems. Students living in the apartments may contract for cable through Comcast, however residence hall rooms are not cable-ready.

Students pay a $50 per semester laundry fee for access to free laundry facilities in each building.

What size are the beds? Where can I find information about the rooms?

We have both standard and extra long beds on campus. We suggest that you bring extra long sheets, since it’s better to have sheets that are too long, than not long enough.

Room information is available linked from http://www.chatham.edu/studentlife/resident_wheretolive.cfm. Please note that occupancy (how many students live in each room) information may be out of date, and that this information is best used to determine room dimensions.

Can a student live in single room?
First year students are eligible for a single room only through the Medical Accommodations Process.

What if a student is having roommate problems?
Most roommate problems are the result of poor communication. All students living in a multiple occupancy space are required to fill out roommate contracts to ease the transition of living together for the first time. There are many situations in which the roommate contract has to be amended and updated throughout the year as the students grow into their new lives as college students.

Most students will, at one point or another, have a disagreement with a roommate. This is part of being in college, and the experience of working it out, either on their own or with staff help, can be a major learning and growth experience. We will always first defer to the students themselves to sort out any problems, next bringing in an RA to facilitate a discussion, and lastly a professional staff person to assess the situation, and in many cases provide additional mediation.

If, after a sincere effort, things aren’t working and there is space available we may talk with one or more roommates about a move to another space.

My student called and is upset – what can I do to help?
If your student is sick or injured or is having a mental health crisis they, or you, should immediately call Health Services (412-365-1238) or Counseling Services (412-365-1282) during the day, or Public Safety (412-365-1111) after 5pm.

If your student is having a rough day, the best you can do for them is listen. Help them keep perspective, make a plan, and utilize the resources available to them; the academic advisor, faculty, RAs and professional Student Affairs staff. Give them time to address the situation themselves, and check in on their progress.

My student lived on campus for a semester, but now wants to commute. Can we do that?
All students who contract for housing do so for the entire academic year. In rare, significant circumstances, a year lease may be broken. These circumstances may be, but are not limited to: medical accommodations (requires documentation), a significant change in financial status (must be documented) that is aided by the student moving in with a parent or legal guardian or if a student leaves Chatham or falls below full-time status.

What is an RA?
An RA is, first and foremost, a fellow student. These are particularly talented students who have undergone an intensive application and selection process to serve the institution and their fellow students. They receive intensive training in the fall and on-going training during the academic year to build community, provide hall activities, help direct students to campus resources, mediate conflict and help with administrative processes in the residence halls and apartments. There are RAs on duty every night.

What is my students mailing address?
All residential students are assigned a mailbox in the campus post office when they arrive on campus. Your student should go to the post office to obtain this number. The address will be:

Student Name
Woodland Road
Box ###
Pittsburgh, PA 15232