coed

By the people, for the people: CSG weekly update

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More changes are in store for Chatham University’s 2015-2016 academic year, with administration’s decision to “refresh” the color pallet to coincide with the University’s new identity as a coeducational institution, explained Bill Campbell, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and Krista Terpack, Senior Graphic Designer, in a presentation to the Chatham Student Government at their meeting on Thursday, April 2.

The transition, “creates the opportunity to create a fresh look,” Campbell said, explaining that the graphic design company Ologie, which specializes in higher education, was brought in from Columbus, Ohio for the University’s rebranding.

The main question throughout the process, he said, was, “When you take away the Chatham College for Women, what do you do with purple?”

The answer that they came up with was to make purple the official color of the University.

“We modernized it a bit,” Campbell said, while passing around a print out of the new colors.  He further explained that the color gray would be added as an accent a color, in addition to a brighter, more complementary shade of green.

He also added that the class colors would remain, but that the different colors for the various schools within Chatham University would be eliminated, saying, “We want to be one University.”

Terpack went on to add that the University logo would also be changing, but only slightly.  The new logo will keep the same font, but it will be in purple, and they will tighten the letter spacing and implement a “heavier” typeface for the word “University.”

In response to a question from Skylar Wilcha, Class of 2015 President, about changing the signage across campus, Campbell said, “Over the summer we’ll be looking at refreshing things,” explaining that the process would be carried out in phases.

Additionally Alex Waasdorp, Class of 2018 President, inquired about uniforms for University athletics, to which Terpack replied, “Purple has stayed the primary color for athletics throughout,” adding that the athletic colors moving forward will be purple and gray.

The meeting then moved on to the topic of the relocation of several resources on campus, discussed extensively at a meeting with the space planners, President Esther Barazzone, and the President’s council the previous Thursday.

Sam Elbaz, CSG Vice President of Finance, explained that in response to the news, the CSG executive board drafted a letter to the President’s council and to President Barazzone outlining their concerns about the changes.

“This is a direct follow-up,” Wilcha added, explaining that everything in the letter was brought up at the meeting, but that they wanted their points to be put in writing.

Elbaz further explained that the letter had to be issued quickly given the short timeline for the changes, pointing out that work on the Carriage House is expected to start by the end of May.

The letter, which Elbaz read to the CSG, requested that they consider leaving the PCW Room as it is, updating the student lounges that already exist, adding more food options—including a convenience store in the new bookstore—expanding the athletics areas and adding more weight machines, creating a 24-hour library space with a restroom, and creating a student space implementation committee to oversee future changes.

As it stands, the decisions that were made, “did not leave much room for student input and suggested modification,” Elbaz said, pointing out that, “these spaces are, after all, for students.”

The discussion then shifted to the topic of the CSG code of conduct, which outlines the attendance policy, dress-code, and required attendance for campus traditions for CSG members, as well as asserting that the CSG in an “advocacy focused organization.”

After much argument over small details of the document, Phoebe Armstrong, Class of 2016 President, reminded everyone that the code of conduct is a “flexible document” and that it exists solely as an “outline on how you should be acting.”

Other points of note from the meeting included the announcement of a summer internship discount, which will lower the fees for student’s participating in summer internships from $700-$800 per credit, to $150 per credit for the first three credits, and $300 per credit after that, plus an additional $24 processing fee per credit. It was recommended that students with summer internships follow up with Crystal Vietmeier, Assistant Director of Career Development, about the discount.

The meeting also included an update from Elbaz on the Undergraduate Budget Committee (UBC), which granted two requests at its last meeting. Elbaz explained that Chabad on Chatham requested $2,100 and was given $1,300, and the Class of 2015 requested and was granted $980, leaving $7,254.01 in the budget. She further explained that the UBC would discuss next year’s budget at their next meeting.

The CSG meets every Thursday and all meetings are open to the student body.

Chatham reimagines Woodland campus for Fall 2015

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On Thursday, March 26, students, faculty, and administrators alike met to discuss changing Chatham’s Woodland campus.

The meeting began with an introduction by Chatham’s President Esther Barazzone. Barazzone introduced Charles Craig—the architect heading the project—and started off with a disclaimer, stating the changes have to be, “done on a fast track basis because it’s a fast track job.”

However, Barazzone assured the Chatham Student Government (CSG) members in attendance that, “this plan is focused on our students,” and although they are doing their best to accommodate students’ needs,  “nobody will love every piece of it.”

Once Barazzone had finished, Craig came forward and began explaining the changes soon to come. He opened by agreeing with Barazzone, using a quote from Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s “The Brothers Karamazov:” “If all things were perfect, nothing would happen.”

He then moved forward by listing the criteria Chatham is keeping in mind during construction: long-term viability, function appropriate, cost, and time frame. Next Craig explained the goal amenities Chatham has in mind, and the existing structures that can house them.

Craig began by covering the changes to the Carriage House. Currently the Carriage House holds Student Activities, Student Affairs, the Post Office, and the Bookstore. The plan for next year will empty out the Carriage House so that it will only be used for Student Activities. The structure will then house student lounges, student offices, and spaces for student organizations to meet. For the time being, the second floor will stay the same. However, the plan for the lower level involves entirely knocking down the wall that separates the TV room from the Office of the Dean of Students.

The Post Office will be moved to where the Weathervane used to be. This will be partly due to efficiency. The Weathervane space is near a service drive where mail comes in. This creates a more direct route to the mailroom. Changes to the Post Office involve vending and a seating area where students can sit, wait, and open packages.

The Bookstore will be moved to the basement of Woodland in place of Bikeworks and Bikeworks will be moved back further into the basement. The offices from the Carriage House will be moved to Woodland in available space upstairs. Other changes to Woodland include expanding Café Rachel by knocking out the wall that connects it to the Woodland Art Gallery. Instead of the wall, there will be a glass sliding door. Security to protect art on exhibition is being considered. An elevator will also be added to Woodland for wheelchair access to the Bookstore.

Faculty of the Falk School of Sustainability will be moved to Eden Hall Lodge to activate the program. They will share offices, with two people to an office. Moving into their space in Dilworth is Career Development. However, space on the lower level will be still be reserved for the counseling and psychotherapy department.

Finally, renovations will be made to Anderson. Smaller tables will be implemented to conserve space and accommodate more students, McGrady Café will be used more often, and the PCW Room will be renovated for regular dining.

The floor was then opened to any questions or comments. Senior Eir Rovira started by bringing up the fact that Woodland has a history of flooding problems. Walt Fowler, Vice President of Finance and Administration assured her that the flooding problem is caused by a faulty drain that will be replaced.

Senior Sam Elbaz commented that many student lounges are informal and so the PCW should be kept formal as making it a lounge takes away from student meeting places.

Senior Sarah Jugovic asked after the Athletic and Fitness Center (AFC), wondering if any renovations for the weight room were planned to accommodate the incoming increase in student athletes. Craig explained that at this time, it is not an immediate concern as the facilities should be able to accommodate the female students as well as the 60 prospective male students. However, if more space is needed, they may move out the classrooms in the AFC.

Rovira then asked about the use of the third floor of the library—assuming Career Development is moved to Dilworth. Craig answered that the floor will be used for more study space, seminar rooms, and PACE.

Next Elbaz suggested that Chatham focus on renovating current student lounges first, before making new ones. Fowler admitted it was a good suggestion that would be taken into consideration. Barazzone joined in and explained that the goal is to make many, highlighting a goal of comfortable spaces.

Senior Jenny Schollaert asked about the plans for the Women’s Institute. Fowler assured her that while it will have a temporary home in the Braun Executive Suite, the goal for the future is to give it its own home.

Senior Phoebe Armstrong brought up the PCW Room again by adding that additional furniture in the room could take away from space needed for events like Mocktails.

In line with food, Craig added that they had considered adding a juice bar to the Carriage House. In response, many of the students chimed in that they would much rather have food establishments added to the upper campus. Rovira suggested moving the On-the-Go snack area from Anderson to Woodland. Fowler then brought up that the expanded Bookstore included plans to carry more food items.

Barazzone then asked the students why they would not prefer to use McGrady instead—as it has a full kitchen. Armstrong explained that it was too far from the classrooms for students in a rush. Senior Margery Deane explained that it would be used mostly by athletes and Rovira suggested that students in the Art and Design Center might use it too. Sophomore Megan Cooper put it simply by saying, “Why would you walk past Anderson to get food?”

Armstrong suggested that Bikeworks be moved to the Carriage House to make more room for more food in the Bookstore and Sophomore Tahmina Tursonzadah suggested food trucks on the quad.

The conversation then shifted as Rovira brought up student concerns with broken post office boxes. Fowler answered that Chatham will be purchasing 1,000 new mailboxes. However, when Tursonzadah explained that students are fond of the look, Fowler and Barazzone agreed that they would be preserved somehow.

Rovira then asked if the construction would be sustainable. Fowler replied that sustainable materials such as carpets and lighting would be used, but there was no goal to be LEED certified.

More on the library, Deane expressed concerns with the cramped cubicle computer stations in the library and the lack of a bathroom, and Tursonzadah suggested IT be moved to the library if there will be extra space.

Finally, Elbaz requested a timeline. The Carriage House is set to be cleared out in May and ready by August. Sustainability faculty will be moved to Eden Hall in July and Career Development will be moved into Dilworth by late July. All plans are expected to be completed by the time classes begin in the fall.

Dr. Jessie B. Ramey announced as inaugural director of the Women’s Institute

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Last May, University administration announced the development of a Women’s Institute to preserve Chatham’s dedication to women after the decision that it would admit men beginning in the fall of 2015, and on March 19, they announced that Dr. Jessie B. Ramey would serve as the Institute’s inaugural director.

As inaugural director, Ramey will be responsible for focusing on the Institute’s mission, which is, she said, “to help overcome and eradicate the social injustices facing women.”

“That’s a tall order, but one that we will continue working on as a campus community in three main ways: through education, research, and outreach,” she said. “Chatham has a long history of excellence in these areas and the Women’s Institute will build on those traditions.”

Ramey has ample academic and professional experience with women and gender issues, as well as history and social justice.

Ramey earned a BA in Social History and an MA and a Ph.D. in History from Carnegie Mellon University and an MA in Women’s History from Sarah Lawrence College.

She currently serves as a Visiting Scholar in Women’s Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and she is an adjunct professor of History in the Humanities Scholars Program at Carnegie Mellon. She also serves on Mayor Bill Peduto’s Task Force on Education.

Ramey is no stranger to Pittsburgh nor to Chatham.

She has been a guest lecturer in a few of Chatham’s history classes, but, “most of my relationship to the University has been as a member of the Pittsburgh community,” she said.

At around age 13, Ramey saw her first play at Chatham’s Eddy Theater—“’The Dollhouse,’ of course,” by Henrik Ibsen.

“I caught the theater bug and went on to run my own theater company specializing in new plays by women,” she said.

Additionally, Ramey’s children have spent summers at Chatham’s Music and Arts Day Camp, and they have piano recitals each spring in Laughlin Music Hall.

“The sense of connection between Chatham and the broader community is an important part of its legacy,” she said.

Ramey has high hopes that the Women’s Institute will be beneficial to a wide range of people.

“One of my goals for the Women’s Institute is to help everyone in our campus community to feel [that they are] a part of its mission of advancing gender equity. I’m really excited about that focus, because it acknowledges that we still have deep and abiding gender inequality—politically, economically, culturally, socially,” she said. “We are making a bold statement with the Women’s Institute by acknowledging that our gender work is not done and that a co-educational university should play a central role in addressing inequality.”

Ramey also hopes the Institute will, “help people, especially those outside the University, understand this commitment that Chatham has made—and to help them see why that is so distinctive and so significant.”

Additionally, Ramey hopes, the Institute, “will play a role in bolstering Chatham’s national, and even international, reputation, in fields where it is already well known and highly regarded, as well as in some new dimensions.”

The Institute will be particularly relevant in Chatham’s time of transformation.

“There’s a sense that when an institution ‘goes co-ed’ that they no longer exist as a women’s college. They lose that unique identity. Yet, when historically black colleges and universities accept white students, they still retain their identity as HBCUs; or when religious universities accept students from other faiths, they don’t lose their religious identity,” she said.  “Perhaps we need a new acronym for ‘Colleges that Historically Enrolled Women’—CHEW?  Yuck—But seriously, I imagine we could have a robust conversation about the gender dynamics at work that so quickly make women’s education invisible­—and why labels matter and what they reveal or obscure.”

Ramey is optimistic about the Institute’s future.

“I hope that [the Institute] becomes a place where we can ask these questions together, have these conversations about gender—and race and class and other systems of power—and promote pedagogies, programs, and scholarship that move us towards equity and justice. That’s not only relevant but exciting work for all of us to be a part of.”

Chatham makes changes to general education and graduation requirements

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During Chapel Hour on Thursday, February 26, students, staff, and faculty gathered in Eddy Theatre for a Town Hall Meeting with Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jenna Templeton and Dean of Undergraduate Innovation Dr. William Lenz.

After an introduction from Templeton, Lenz introduced the new “Lego Block Model” for Undergraduate General Education designed to “simplify [general education] requirements and create clear pathways to graduation,” as was stated in his PowerPoint presentation.

The model’s name comes from “The Lego Movie” and its song—which Templeton played before the meeting commenced and is Lenz’s self-proclaimed mantra—“Everything is Awesome.”

Lenz and the administration have been brainstorming ways to improve the undergraduate experience in Chatham’s upcoming “new era” because Lenz said they did not want the fall of 2015 to be, “the year where we took the College for Women, threw in some men, and stirred them together with a big ladle.”

Their goal was to create a smooth and streamlined curriculum that is easy to construct and will serve each student individually.

The proposed program will allow students to switch majors or schools if their interests change without the fear that classes they have already taken will not towards their graduation requirements.

The first change regarding undergraduate education that Lenz discussed was that of the mission statement.

The new statement reads, “Chatham University prepares women and men to be world ready: to build lives of purpose and value and fulfilling work. In addition to appropriate professional skills and liberal arts learning, Chatham believes that world readiness means being an informed and engaged citizen in one’s communities; recognizing and respecting diversity of culture, identity, and opinion; and living sustainably on the planet.”

Next Lenz discussed the new proposed general education curriculum. Students will still be required to take 40 credits of general education; however, the proposed plan is meant to be more flexible for students.

Students would be required to take the one-credit SDE101 course that is already required.

The ENG105 writing seminar and the IND108 Gender and Contemporary Social Issues course would be combined into a three-credit Communication Seminar, taken in a student’s first fall term.

Students would need to take one three-credit course in each of the departments—Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics, and Science (along with a one-credit science lab)—as is the present requirement.

In addition, students would have to take three additional three-credit upper-level elective courses in an area outside of their majors.

Students would be required to take two credits of PED or leadership classes, instead of the current four credits.

Finally, students would complete three mission courses, instead of the current seven, in the areas of International and Global Understanding, Sustainability and the Environment, and Engagement and Responsibility.

Next, Lenz discussed the Chatham Plan Professional Edge Certificate, which would require students to take four credits of job skills and career preparation, as well as the three-credit internship that is already required.

In order to graduate, students would still need to complete a minimum of 120 credits, six of which would be writing intensive courses in their major.

Instead of the current two-semester system of tutorial, students would be expected to complete an Integrative Capstone Seminar within their major.  Over one semester, a student would complete a paper, an internship, or some other sort of project defined within his or her major that would help to prepare for work or further education after graduation.

Lenz was unconcerned about tutorial’s abridgement. Although a student would “lose time,” Lenz said the new system would, “make perhaps for a more intensive semester.”

Lenz was unable to answer many specific questions about the Capstone because, as he stressed, the requirements would be defined within a department, instead of by the administration.

Students would also need to complete a one-credit Eden Hall Field Practicum, designed to give students hands-on experience at the new campus. There is currently talk of having a shuttle between Eden Hall and Shadyside, leaving four times per day.  Students could complete their 15 contact hours in one-hour increments weekly for a semester, or they could spend fewer but longer sessions at the sustainability campus.

Finally, students would be required to complete an online or hybrid course and at least one Maymester or Chatham Abroad Experience, and students would be required to have a passport, for which the university might pay.

Rising juniors and seniors (with more than 60 credits already completed) will finish their time at Chatham under the current requirements. However, rising sophomores will be asked to complete the new requirements that will be defined in the 2015-2016 catalogue. Exceptions may be made for students competing 3/2 programs or inflexible professional majors.

The proposed new model is still under consideration by the faculty. Although it has not yet been completely approved, Lenz said, “we expect that to be completed next week, but we did want to give students a chance to see what is being proposed.”

“This is very student centered,” said Lenz. “It’s all about your ability to succeed in [the real world].”

Chatham chooses to make coed dorms for the 2015 transition into coeducation

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After much speculation by students about how Chatham University would handle the housing of its incoming male population, questions were answered on Thursday, November 20, when Heather Black, Director of Student Affairs & Residence Life, sent out a campus wide email addressing the issue.

The email, after explaining the decision making process and the results of a campus wide survey sent out earlier in the semester, said that Fickes Hall will be all women; Rea, Laughlin, and Woodland will be coed by floor; and the Chatham Apartments will be coed buildings with individual apartments being single gender.

Additionally, graduate students will no longer be housed in Woodland, but will still have the option to live in the Chatham Apartments.

Black later added that students will have a say as to whether they live in single-sex or coed accommodations, saying, “All incoming students will complete a preference sheet along with their roommate questionnaire.”

When asked, Black said that before making any decisions they did a great deal of research, saying, “we connected with approximately eight institutions that went coed in this past ten years such as Wells College, Regis College, Randolph College, Hood College, and Chestnut Hill College.”

Black was not able to provide any information about the housing situation at the Eden Hall campus for the 2015/2016 school year, instead saying, “I am unable to speak adequately on this subject at this time as we are in the planning stages.”

The email, did, however, include information about Chatham’s Living Learning Communities (LLC), saying that Fickes will house the Women’s Leadership LLC, and that Rea and Laughlin will house LLCs that are yet to be determined.

“We plan to do [the Women’s Leadership LLC] by floor unless there is overwhelming response,” she said, pointing out that, “All of our LLC events are open to the entire campus – commuters and residents. Students can choose to participate in an LLC event even if they do not live in the specific residence hall.”

Students’ reactions to the new living arrangements were mixed.

Sophomore Maryann Fix spoke for many students when she said, “I think it would have been nice if we were involved in the conversation.”

Senior Margery Deane and Sophomore Mary Ellen Watt-Morse, on the other hand, felt that the University made a good compromise.

“That is what most colleges have, where they divide floors by gender,” Watt-Morse said.

“I think it’s good that the guys aren’t completely isolated…[this arrangement] includes them, but still keeps the genders separate,” Deane added.

“At traditional colleges usually apartments can be coed,” Deane continued, “but I understand why the University didn’t switch directly to that.”

In response to this opinion, which was expressed by many, Black said, “students expressed interest in housing by floor, and having the apartments by gender still meets this need.”

Black also allayed fears of overpopulation of the residence halls, saying, “Our current undergraduate residence halls occupancy rate is 88 percent. With the adjustment made there should be sufficient housing for the increase in undergraduate students.”

However she went on to say that, “It is impossible to predict exact numbers and student interest so we will make appropriate adjustments in late spring based on students’ needs.”

Not all students were convinced, however, like Senior Sarah Ellis who said, “I think they’re preparing for too many men, especially because it is the first year.”

“They should stick with one [residence hall for men] and keep it that way,” she continued, pointing out that it would be a way to, “honor our history.”

Coach Profile: Kevin Wanichko

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Coach Kevin Wanichko joined the Chatham community earlier this year as Head Cross Country Coach, as well as Chatham University’s Sports Information Director—a particularly integral role as the school transitions into a coed institution after a long history of being an all-female college.

During his high school years, Wanichko attended Southern Nash High School in Bailey, North Carolina. During his time at Southern Nash, he was a five-time All-State runner and won a state championship in the 2007 North Carolina indoor mile.

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Wanichko graduated from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in 2012. During his time at Saint Vincent, he was a four-year member of the cross country and track teams, leading the Bearcats to back-to-back Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships in cross country in 2010 and 2011.

Wanichko also received the honor of being a first-team all-PAC (Pennsylvania Athletic Conference) runner for all four of his years at Saint Vincent, receiving the league’s individual title during his 2011 season.

Wanichko also earned great praise for his time on the track team at Saint Vincent. He was a three-time Eastern College Athletic Conference medalist as well as a three-time PAC champion in track. He currently holds the school’s 5K record–a time of 14:51.

Coach Wanichko earned his undergraduate degree in Communications and earned a Masters of Science in Sports Medicine from California University of Pennsylvania in August 2014.

During his two years at California University, Wanichko served as an Assistant Coach to his alma mater, Saint Vincent, helping the Bearcats continue their cross country success, leading them to win two PAC titles.

Wanichko will not begin his role as Cross Country Coach until the season begins during the Spring semester. However, he has already begun his role as Sports Information Director through recruiting potential students to build the 2015 Men’s Cross Country team.

Wanichko is a member of College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), an organization that began in 1952 and looks to recognize Division I, II, and III athletes in the NCAA.

Dr. William Lenz discusses new position as Dean of Undergraduate Innovation

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The first thing anyone notices as they walk through the doors of the Lindsay House would have to be the animated office of Dr. William E. Lenz, adorned with pink walls and flamingos.

In discussing his new role as the Dean of Undergraduate Innovation, he reminds us of the importance of the undergraduate experience, the legacy of the Chatham College for Women, and that the walls of his office are not painted with any shade of pink, but rather that of ‘Blackberry Mist.’

Communique: What does your new title as Dean of Undergraduate Innovation mean?

Dr. Lenz: President Barazzone and I started talking about this in June. As we are moving forward in so many ways, this would be a good time to think about what really matters for a Chatham College student. She asked me to think what I considered meaningful change that could occur so we could take this opportunity being at a crossroads and think about the things we do well, the values we want to preserve from the CCW (Chatham College for Women) and what we want to modify. And so that has been my challenge; is to see what we do well, what we can improve, what we have never thought about.

C: What are the functions of your new position?

L: I have been working with different groups of faculty, different staff and administrators. By the end of this first of semester [my goal is to], develop at least one or maybe two conceptual models which will result in a revision of general education, which is a top to bottom concept–from my point of view; to make it [general education] simpler and to make it more meaningful. I have heard people say it is too cumbersome. As I talk to different groups of people, those are the kinds of questions I have been asking: What do we want to retain? What do we want to preserve? What is meaningful? What are the things that you think would be beneficial to our undergraduates once they graduate?

I have been meeting with a senior faculty group of about fifteen faculty members. I have met with junior faculty, also of about fifteen people. I have been meeting with the President, Vice President, and the four other deans–as well as others as needed: Students Affairs, IT, etc. You might ask, “what about students?” And I think at this point, it is a little preliminary. We are working towards a concept, rather than articulation. My second semester is going to, I hope, look at how we implement these new conceptual ideas. That’s when I would like to bring in students, alumni, and experts from outside.

C: Would students have a say or impact in these changes?

L: Absolutely.  It is very exciting. It is very challenging. I had no idea that so much planning went on at each level, and that has been a real eye-opener for me. Sometimes we think that no one knows what is going on. I speak truly to this, that is not the case. There is a lot of planning that goes on from the top all the way down. I had to opportunity to speak with the Board of Trustees. They are very engaged, exciting, and supportive.

C: A position as a Dean of Undergraduate Innovation is the first of its kind. How do you navigate this?

L: As opposed to being the Dean of a school, I report to Vice President of Academic Affairs; and as Special Assistant to the President, I report directly to President Barazzone. The downside, of course, is that I do not have a staff. It does mean that I am more independent and more flexible and adaptable. Therefore, part of what my job is is looking at the bigger picture. I see my job as mediating between, or among, the different constituencies who will implement whatever vision we finally decide upon.

There is a lot of engagement work that goes on underneath the surface of the institution. There really is an intense amount of planning going into not just coeducation, but the school reorganization, the different ways in which we are going to be better next year. That is the key. How can we be better?

C: What you looking to specifically focus on during this time of transition?

L: Making the general education model more efficient and effective, a more powerful learning tool. The mission initiatives, as I see them at the moment will remain as global awareness, sustainability and environmental understanding, and leadership and civic engagement. The new general education model will encompass those in interesting and meaningful ways for students. The danger is to create a checklist. In my thinking, and the thinking of different teams that I have set to work on this, which is my managerial model. I meet with larger groups, and then we find smaller work teams to develop position papers on each of these different threads. Part of what we have been trying to do is make it a model that will be interesting for students to connect to their own objectives. The way I often talk about the general education model is a Lego block model. There may different colors of Lego blocks, but they all fit together.

We have been looking at the tutorial. Is the tutorial something we want to maintain in exactly the form it has been for all my life at Chatham, or is it something we want to reconceptualize? If so, what are the possible iterations it might take? We are all thinking of some culminating academic experience.

We have also been talking, at the suggestion of the President, about professionalizing student experiences. A series of experiences, courses, workshops, and opportunities to help every student become more professional and able to either go directly to graduate school or the workforce and be comfortable in a very professional environment.

This is an opportunity to not lose our 145 year focus on women’s values, pedagogy, [and] women’s sense of the world, which a very important thing. The Women’s Institute gives us an opportunity to foreground women in a way that is new and different for us. How we can use this new institute to create very special set of opportunities for women and men? I do think that as we move to coeducation, men that chose Chatham will be men who will be interested in gender, women, and the larger picture of society and culture.

One of the reasons I took this job is I thought I could help ensure that we did not lose those values of the women’s college that have made Chatham so distinct.

C: What are you looking forward to in the future of Chatham, now that the coeducation decision has been made?

L: I was part of the faculty and administration reading group last year that spent all fall and a good part of the winter talking about these issues. The large question was, “Is it possible in a changing world to preserve the women’s college.” What I discovered over the course of all those conversations was that we have come to a historic moment in Chatham history. It is time to make a big change. My thirty-five years at Chatham have always been about change. When I first came, we were going through a reinvention of core curriculum. I have been here when we considered coeducation in the 80s and decided not to go that direction. I have been here in the 90s when we decided to have graduate programs. This is another opportunity. We are all saddened to see the end of Chatham College for Women as it existed. My hope is that we can preserve what is most valuable and take that forward in a reconceptualization.

C: What does your role in the classroom look like now?

L: At the moment, I am teaching one course each semester. I am passionate about teaching and I think it is important to stay connected. Students are the heart of the institution, and if you are not connected to them, then we lose touch.

C: Why Chatham?

L: I’ll start with the students. I have always been challenged and energized by my students. I learn something new every time I teach a work. Second, I have great colleagues. It gives you something completely different than you would normally get at a larger institution. The ability to walk down the hall and talk to Dr. Wister about Darwin, to go down the hall the other way to talk to Dr. MacNeil and about chemistry theory, and then figure out how it connects back to what I am researching or teaching at the moment–that collegiality and compatibility is important. Third, this is in a place of constant change. I have the great privilege to be able to design programs throughout my career. Every opportunity has given me the chance to do something that has a direct impact. I love having a stamp upon the institution and getting the feedback as someone who can create things.

Alison Bernstein visits Chatham to discuss successfully transitioning to a coed university

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Most know by now that there will be great change coming to Chatham University as the institution prepares to welcome coeducation within all the Chatham University Colleges and Schools in the fall of 2015.

Alison Bernstein, Director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership Consortium at Rutgers University, visited Chatham with faculty, staff, and students in the midst of the fall semester to discuss the transition of women’s colleges to coeducation.

As an institution, Chatham is using the fall semester to gain perspectives in areas regarding coeducation, commitment to women’s leadership, and vertically integrated colleges and schools.

Bernstein brings relevant experience to this conversation through her position as Vice President of the Ford Foundation’s program on Knowledge, Creativity, and Free Expression. In her current role at Rutgers University, Bernstein is also a professor in the Department of Women and Gender studies. Most recently, Bernstein is editing an eight-volume series called “Junctures: Case Studies in Women’s Leadership.”

To begin the session, Bernstein introduced four features to focus on when transitioning to coeducation. The first feature centered around space. In her opinion, a welcoming, nonexclusive space for students needs to be created.

“Do not privilege the new over the old. Social conditions cannot be ignored,” Bernstein said.

The second key element is diversity in leadership. During her time teaching at Princeton University, Bernstein noticed that even years after Princeton’s transition to coeducation, the diversity in faculty leadership positions was sparse.

Next, the curriculum is an important piece to study during a time of transition.  Bernstein made note that the legacy embracing women’s education and commitment to a gendered analysis here at Chatham should remain.

Finally, a new way of thinking about co-curricular activities will make the coeducational transition more effective. Intramural sports came to the forefront of the discussion.

In the open dialogue, Bernstein shared that she was a part of the last all female undergraduate class to graduate at Vassar College before the institution became fully coeducational in 1969. Her own experiences connect closely with many current Chatham students.

In the 1970s, there were approximately 300 single sex colleges in the United States. Today, that number has dwindled to about 50.

“There was a bold experiment in women’s education that spanned over a 50 year period. What is the bold experiment now?,” Bernstein said.

As Chatham University transitions, Bernstein reminded her audience to be self-reflective and not chose the old path of coeducation. Leadership and professional development can create an enterprise where men are partners.

“Do something bold with coeducation, because now is the moment to take risks. No one has figured how to do coeducation the right way, so do it,” Bernstein said.

Chatham University issues cease and desist to Independent Alumni Association

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On Monday, June 9, 2014, a law firm representing Chatham University issued a cease and desist letter to the Chatham College Independent Alumnae Association (CIAA), requesting that they stop using the name “Chatham” in the title of their organization.

The organization, formerly known as “Save Chatham,” began as a movement against the University’s proposed shift to coed.

In the letter, attorney Christiane Campbell of Duane Morris Law Firm said that “the University’s Board is concerned with the CIAA’s use of ‘Chatham’ as part of the name for an organization that is raising funds contrary to Chatham’s mission and interests.”

The letter, which explained Chatham University’s ownership of the name and trademark “CHATHAM,” also requested that the CIAA respond with written agreement to the terms no later than June 20, 2014.

Two days after the initial contact, another email was sent to the organization from Jennifer Potter, the chair of the Chatham University Board of Trustees, explaining the rationale behind the decision to issue the cease and desist letter. “While it is the right of all to associate freely for whatever purpose is chosen,” she wrote, “our duty is to prevent any harm that could come to the institution through any illegitimate use of our name.”

Alexa New, Sarah Stulga, Rachel Lunsford and Kelly McKown–the four organizers of the CIAA to whom the letters sent–chose to suspend activity on the organization’s website for a short time, while they met with legal counsel regarding the matter. They did, however, stress the fact that, contrary to the arguments in the cease and desist letter, the CIAA never made any fundraising efforts.

On June 20, 2014, Nicholas Roumel of Nacht Law, the legal council for the CIAA, responded to the cease and desist letter. His letter stated that the CIAA had a legal right to use the name “Chatham” in their title.

Furthermore he stated that, “your concern is that there is a likelihood of confusion, and/or that third parties will mistakenly believe there to be some ‘sponsorship, affiliation, or connection’ between your client and mine. This argument is misplaced…the CIAA is stressing its independence, [therefore] there can be no such confusion.”

Despite this assertion, the CIAA made the decision, on June 28, 2014 to fully disassociate with the ‘Chatham’ name. “It is you that has pursued us,” they stated in their final correspondence with the university. “You have threatened legal action not once, but twice. You threw us off campus and threatened us with arrest when we were protesting peacefully. Then when we exercised our First Amendment Rights to accurately identify our group, you threatened to sue us…so take the family name. Chatham, as both an institution and a brand, no longer holds real value. Your daughters are breaking ties.”

The CIAA has since reorganized as the Filiae Nostrae Society. According to their website, the name was taken from Psalm 144:12, “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace.”

This quote was chosen because it is “well-cited one in the history of women’s education” the group explains on their website. The website further says that the new organization is dedicated to “honor[ing] and preserv[ing] the spirit of women’s education.”

“Save Chatham” group organizes protest

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An unusual sight greeted Chatham University students on Wednesday, April 23, as a group of about 15 Chatham students and alumnae protested, in continued efforts to halt Chatham’s possible coed future.

Cars honked at the group, which stood on 5th Avenue at the bottom of Woodland Road after being kicked off of campus by the administration.

Armed with signs and banners showing support for the women’s college, the participants showed clear dedication to their cause, despite the unseasonably cold weather.

The protest was organized through the “Save Chatham” Facebook page, which had over 1000 members within a day of the coed announcement being made, and currently has over 2000”, explained Kelly McKown, Class of 2002. ‘The ultimate goal of the page is to protect the [Chatham] college for women forever, but the reason we are out here today is to [convince the board members to] delay the vote for at least a year.”

She, and the rest of the protesters, want the board to work with them to look at financial options, think about the impact that going coed could have on the University, and put in the work that they “haven’t put in so far.” “The alumnae have been the backbone of this institution,” said McKown, “and to dismiss them and kick them off of campus shows a huge lack of respect.”

The administration, according to Christina Griffin, Class of 2007, told them to leave because the school was “private property” and they did not want protestors. They were told that they could protest on May 1st (the day of the vote), but Griffin did not feel that they could organize another protest in such a short time span.

Despite the setback, the protesters were still determined, and when asked why she felt so passionate about the topic, Jessica McMeyer, Class of 2000, said, “coming to Chatham gave me gifts far beyond an education. It normalized women in positions of leadership.” She then went on to explain that she drove here from Chicago with her father–who originally did not even want her to go to Chatham–in order to attend the protest.

In addition to Chicago, there were also protestors from Atlanta and Kentucky, as well as local alumnae, and current students.

The was also a wide age range among the group, which Nancy Chubb, Class of 1973, joked about. According to her, if Chatham went coed, the world would be loosing something special and unique. “I love Chatham. I love the spirit of Chatham, and I think going coed would destroy its soul,” she said. However, she seemed optimistic about their efforts, saying, “We can turn this around–I know we can–with the right passion and effort.”