Chatham Student Government held its semi-annual town hall on March 26, where questions related to food, facilities and student life were posed to a panel that included Dean of Students Chris Purcell, Assistant Dean of Residence Life and Student Conduct Natty Burfield, Assistant Dean of Student Success and Engagement Simmone Bell, Director of Facilities Mike Kukawa and Parkhurst Dining General Manager Mike Logesky.
Below are some key points from the panel.
Q: Are there any updates on possible changes to Chatham’s Title IX policy?
Purcell responded that each presidential administration has its own set of policies for Title IX. The University is currently operating under the 2020-2024 regulations with some slight technical changes. Though previous regulations provided more protections for transgender students, pregnant students and others, the University still aims to address discrimination with a zero-tolerance policy through the honor code.
Q: Is there a plan to reopen Orchard Hall in the future?
Purcell answered that there is a goal to foster a thriving Eden Hall campus, but the opening of Orchard Hall is not part of that plan. He stated Chatham does not provide the services that would make residency at Orchard Hall a “great college experience.” The current focus is on meeting academic needs first, growing the school and making sure that these programs are thriving to provide support for larger campus initiatives.
Q: What led to the decision to change student meal plans?
Upper campus meal plans are currently on a weekly reset program to aid in balancing meal swipe spending across the entire semester, as stated by Logesky. He explained that this theoretically encourages everybody to assess their dining on a weekly basis instead of “not being aware, hoarding or picking and choosing when to spend those meals.” He encouraged students to utilize all dining options on campus, such as Anderson Dining Hall orders and Café Rachel meal swipes.
Q: Why was generative AI used by student engagement to promote the Spring Formal?
A: Bell responded that the Office of Student Engagement was trying new things with its use of generative AI in an Instagram post to advertise the upcoming dance at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Comments on the post noted frustrations that Student Engagement would use generative AI rather than student artists. Student Engagement said they noted this feedback and will incorporate it into future decisions.
All panelists echoed the importance of students reaching out to their respective departments with concerns they may have.
To contact these departments for further questions, students can reach them here:
Student Affairs: [email protected], [email protected] or Cougar Care program
Residence Life: [email protected]
Facilities: [email protected] or direct number (available on my.chatham) for emergencies
Parkhurst: [email protected] or QR code in Anderson Dining Hall for feedback
