3 Questions with Shadyside Campus
Interested in living and learning on the Shadyside Campus? Schedule a visit to campus, or apply today!
As students prepare to arrive at Chatham this fall, we wanted to take the time to highlight each of our locations: Shadyside Campus, Eden Hall Campus, and Chatham Eastside. Each location is designed specifically to facilitate hands-on learning, research opportunities, and student experience, while catering to different fields of study. And now, it’s time for our Shadyside Campus, the home of Chatham since our inception in 1869. Shadyside is well known for its stunning architecture, thriving plant life, and extra-friendly squirrels; join us for an in-depth exploration of the place so many Chatham students call home—
What can I find at Shadyside Campus that’s hard to find anywhere else?
Most aspects of our Shadyside Campus are unparalleled. Many of our residence halls double as historic Pittsburgh mansions and our 32-acre tree-lined wonderland is a certified arboretum. Here you’ll find historic architecture, a relaxing pond (and several duck families), a labyrinth, plenty of room for peaceful walks, a massive hill for sled-riding, and so much more. Shadyside is the rare gem that remains mesmerizing during all four seasons. Students often fall in love with the Rea Coffeehouse, a venue and hangout spot in the basement of Rea House covered in wall-to-wall graffiti, and the Mellon Building—Andrew Mellon’s former home—which boasts the Mellon solarium, a stunning, window-filled study spot.
But beyond what you can find on campus, Shadyside is just a brief walk to Walnut Street and Murray Avenue, two popular shopping and restaurant districts in Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, two miles to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, five miles to river kayaking and riverside trails; and six miles to PNC Park and Heinz Field. Shadyside Campus is closely located to other Pittsburgh schools like Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne. And, with your student ID, you can hop on the bus and head to any of these locations for free!
What’s it like to live & study at Shadyside Campus?
Shadyside has a wide range of housing options for undergraduate students. It’s home to two Living and Learning Communities (LLCs)—the Women’s Leadership LLC in Laughlin Hall and the Honors LLC in Rea House, both of which are converted mansions. Many of our dorm rooms are spacious and have features like exposed brick, retired fireplaces, and personal bathrooms. Beyond the LLCs, on-campus housing options include Fickes Hall, Woodland Hall, Dilworth Hall, and a variety of apartment-style housing options along Fifth Avenue. All of our residence halls have secure ID swipe access doors, common areas for studying and socializing, and on-site laundry. Students can eat in our Anderson Dining Hall and enjoy lattes, smoothies, and snacks at our beloved Cafe Rachel.
Activity is rich at Shadyside. As the home base of countless clubs and organizations and a wide variety of historic traditions, students are never short on events, gatherings, lectures, movies, concerts, dances, and more. If you’re looking for a great place to work out, swim, play squash, or watch a live game, the Athletic Fitness Center has all that and more. Sharpen your competitive edge by joining one of eighteen athletics teams that compete at the NCAA Division III level or some of our club sports and intramurals. We also offer fitness classes ranging from yoga and barre to scuba and step-bench aerobics. Or, if you’re in a more relaxed state of mind, check out the Carriage House for ample video games and room to lounge.
What kind of opportunities can I find at Shadyside?
The majority of our undergraduate programs and many of our graduate programs are hosted at Shadyside. It has long been a home to the liberal arts and sciences, thanks to stunning study enclaves like the Buhl Science Complex, the Jennie King Mellon Library, Lindsay House—home to our English and Creative Writing Programs—and the Art and Design Center. You’ll also find the Women’s Institute, which seeks to continue Chatham’s historic commitment to women’s leadership and gender equity through community initiatives and academic programs, and the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, which runs a number of political education programs, including the annual NEW Leadership training.
The Office of Student Engagement offers a number of leadership retreats, civic engagement institutes, and community service opportunities throughout each school year while the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion engages students in workshops and courses designed to promote and improve intergroup dialogue and relations. Via the Office of Career Development, students can find internship and shadowing opportunities, resume help, and networking events. No matter what you’re looking to study, where you’re hoping to live, or what you’re hoping to do after college, we’re confident that Shadyside has all that you need and more.
Shadyside Campus has so much more to offer than what we’ve listed here. If you’re looking to learn more, schedule a visit so that you can explore for yourself.
