Not only does Chatham open its doors for people from various nationalities, it also embraces students from different religions.

Throughout the years, Chatham has offered a solid platform for students who wish to practice their religion freely and without restrictions. Dr. Sean McGreevey, assistant dean of students at Chatham and the advisor of the Chatham Multi-Faith Council, said in an interview that coming to Chatham was incredibly educational for him.

He said that people usually don’t know much about other religions and cultures, especially if they are not used to living with others who affiliate with a religion different from their own. The Multi-Faith Council is composed of people who represent different religious organizations in Pittsburgh but have committed to being on the council.

“We meet once a month; I tell them what’s going on at Chatham, and we talk about programming,” Dr. McGreevey said. “For example, we’re planning to do an event for Women’s History

Month, and it’s going to be about women and leadership in the Torah, Bible and Quran.”

Since Chatham is not a religious institution, the multitude of different religions has been noticeable on campus.

“Chabad on Chatham” is a Jewish student organization that “tries to offer an environment that the whole Chatham community will be able to learn about and celebrate Jewish life,” said Sara Weinstein during an interview at a Chanukah celebration held in Café Rachel.

Mrs. Weinstein is one of the organization’s directors, along with her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Weinstein. Mrs. Weinstein considers bringing holiday celebrations to campus as an opportunity for both Jewish students and for those who would like to learn more about the Jewish culture.

She also expressed her gratitude towards Chatham administration and student government for being supportive. “I really have to say that we feel that Chatham is a very good base to build communication, networking and connecting between student organizations and between the student bodies. We definitely feel very positively reinforced,” she said.

Nancy Clark, the upcoming Chabad student president said that Chatham University and faculty have “established an environment where a network of student and multi-faith organizations, mutually supportive of each other provide a place where people of all faiths and beliefs are free to express their individual ideas.”

Clark is expected to take over Leiba Estrin’s position as student president of Chabad after Estrin’s graduation in December.

“When it comes to how much freedom we have [to practice our religion], I’d say as much as we want,” said Sarah Alkayed, a sophomore and president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA). “To this point I’ve never personally, as a student and the president [of the MSA] felt that I can’t practice how I choose on the campus. In general, Chatham is very tolerant and open to different religions, ideologies and so forth.”

The MSA at Chatham has access to a prayer room in Buhl Hall for any Muslim who needs their own space to pray.

The MSA holds an annual dinner for the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha. The Eid Dinner started three years ago and has been growing ever since, according to Alkayed. “We want the Muslim students to have the opportunity to celebrate holidays, and our purpose is to be a voice for the Muslim students and voice any concerns they may have.”

Another religious organization on campus is the Chatham Christian Fellowship. The group meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at 10 Woodland Road behind the AFC for Bible study.

Danielle Marcano, a Pagan student at Chatham is part of the All-Faith Gathering on campus. “We like to explore the different meanings of what religion means to people. There’s always some sort of misconceptions about what certain religions are,” she said.

Last semester All Faith had some Muslim presenters talk about their religion, and Marcano said they really opened her eyes to the realities of the Islam. She also considers Chatham an open campus where everyone seems to be understanding, and people have the mindset of being willing to learn.

Chatham events for the year are not over yet. On December 6 at 8:00 p.m., there will be a Candlelight celebration at which there will be Christmas music, Jewish songs and different cultures represented.