With Chatham University’s coeducational transition gradually moving forwards, Zauyah Waite, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, took most of the Chatham Student Government (CSG) meeting on Thursday, November 13, to discuss the various changes that will occur.

As she pointed out, the university will be, “welcoming a whole new demographic.”  However, she reminded the senate that, “without the current [students] we won’t have a future.”

One of the first changes that Waite discussed was the Eden Hall campus.

In addition to the increased faculty that they plan to hire for it, the campus will have a residence hall with suite style housing and will officially begin housing students in the fall of 2015.

She also discussed the housing on the Shadyside campus, however when asked which residence halls will become coed, she said that residence life staff will find out that information first, then the senate will be informed.

In regards to prospective students for next year, Waite said that currently there is a 200 percent increase in applications, with 20 percent of them being male.

While Waite explained that only 10 percent of applicants who are admitted to Chatham will choose to attend, she added that if Chatham has 30 male students next year it will be comparable to other women’s colleges that have gone coeducational.

Erin Smith, Vice-President of Communications, then added that, “at least one male student has deposited for next year.”

The meeting then proceeded to a discussion of health and safety measures that will be taken on campus next year regarding alcohol and drug awareness, sexual harassment, and sexual health. These measures will include more programs and information.

Waite said that they plan to take a “proactive approach,” adding, “we’re not your moms and dads, and we don’t want to be your moms and dads, but we want to provide you with sufficient information to make educated decisions.”

Additionally, Waite said that they would increase late night activities on campus, so that students have somewhere to go.

She then went on to say that all policies regarding students and student conduct will be gathered into one place, and hard copies will be given to all students sometime next semester.

At the end of her talk Waite handed out notecards and asked the members of the senate to anonymously write down the, “top three things that we [the university] absolutely need to have done come Fall 2015.”

While they were writing, she added that a campus planner has come in to look at ways of changing Anderson, and a marketing team is currently collecting research on ways to rebrand the University.

After Waite’s advisor report the meeting proceeded as usual with Officers’ reports.

Sam Elbaz, Vice-President of Finance, gave an overview of the most recent Undergraduate Budget Committee meeting, in which the Creative Writing Club, Chabad on Chatham, and Vira Heinz were all awarded money, leaving $4875.91 left in the budget for the rest of the semester.

In class reports, Skylar Wilcha, Class of 2015 President, reminded everyone that there will be a 50/50 raffle at Thanksgiving dinner to raise funds for the class gift–redoing the patio outside of the Carriage House.

The meeting ended with final announcements, in which Wilcha reminded the senate to attend More Than Me’s screening of “Pray the Devil Back to Hell” in Sanger on November 18.

Waite also told students to look out for Chatham Happening’s redesign, which is now smartphone friendly.

The CSG meets every Thursday on the PCW room, and all meetings are open to the student body.