Chatham University
PA-3: Governance

The purpose of the Chatham Student Government (CSG) is to provide an orderly method of government that is representative of all undergraduate students and to advocate for the concerns, interests, needs, and welfare of the undergraduate student body at Chatham University. Activities and programs sponsored by this organization will keep with the organization’s stated objectives. The purpose of the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is to improve graduate student life at Chatham University; to promote interaction among all graduate students; to bring graduate students into a more active participation within their departments; to act as the representative body for the graduate students and to present their views to the administration, faculty, and undergraduates; and to enhance the quality of education available at Chatham University by helping to program campus-wide events and activities which enrich our community through creating on-campus programming of lectures, workshops, and seminars from professionals outside of our University and by helping to enable graduate students to seek professional development through the help of our professional development fund. GSA is made up of two representatives from each Graduate Program, but all graduate students are welcome to attend GSA meetings or are encouraged to share their thoughts/ideas/concerns with the GSA representative. Chatham Activities Board (CAB) is the student programming body for the entire campus. CAB is responsible for planning major campus traditions such as Harvest Fun Fest, Halloween Dinner, Holiday Ball, Battle of the Classes, Spring Fling and much more.

Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: Undergraduate students from the Rea House Environmental Living and Learning Community were responsible for bringing back the historic Rea House Coffee Series, which are cultural events, such as music and art shows, for the Chatham community and beyond. Strategic and long-term planning: Undergraduate and graduate students were involved in the Eden Hall Master Plan and the designing of the Falk School degree programs. Existing or prospective physical resources: Undergraduate designed Orchard Hall at the Eden Hall Campus, the first residence hall at Eden Hall campus. Students were also responsible for planning the Eden Hall Organic Student Garden and the Rain Garden on the Shadyside campus. Communications processes and transparency practices: The Dean of the Falk School of Sustainability, Dr. Peter Walker, has been engaging undergraduate and graduate students from the Falk School of Sustainability in Town Hall-style meetings and discussions about the Eden Hall Master plan and the involvement of students in growing the Eden Hall campus.

Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: The Falk School of Sustainability faculty and the Health Sciences faculty have been collaborating to create a new Wellness Concentration as part of a dual program between food studies and health sciences. Second, the faculty involved with the Climate Committee were responsible for the successful roll out of the Chatham Green Fund, officially launched in Fall 2014. Strategic and long-term planning: Falk School of Sustainability faculty were involved in the creation of the Eden Hall Campus Master Plan and continue to be involved as the plans for the campus evolve. Existing or prospective physical resources: As part of the Eden Hall Campus Master Plan, Falk School of Sustainability faculty have been involved in the planning of campus buildings and land use. For example, Falk School faculty provided feedback on the construction and management of the solar high tunnel, and the Director of Sustainable Agriculture is responsible for the location and planning for the movable high tunnels and hoop houses. Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: Chatham faculty are invited to attend lectures by prospective faculty candidates and offer feedback, and faculty from the specific department are able to meet with candidates both formally and informally before a choice is made by the department director. For example, faculty were involved in the selection of the Agroecology and Water Resource professors for the Falk School of Sustainability in Spring 2015. Communications processes and transparency practices: Faculty are highly encouraged to attend the Eden Hall Campus Town Hall meetings held by the Dean of the Falk School of Sustainability, Dr. Peter Walker, on the progression made on the campus and to contribute ideas and feedback. Prioritization of programs and projects: Faculty are instrumental in the prioritization of programs and projects that align with Chatham's mission, particularly sustainability. With the newly launched Chatham Green Fund, faculty on the Climate Committee are responsible for voting on student-created sustainability projects that would receive funding based on applications and the project's alignment with the university's mission of sustainability.