Tips for Touring Chatham
Our campus’ storybook charm is incomparable in the college city that is Pittsburgh. But we’re going to let you in on a secret: touring Chatham isn’t just about exploring the old mansion residence halls or strolling through our wooded campus…
Whether you’re visiting with fresh eyes or you’re familiar with some of the popular spots on campus, touring Chatham is about you. It’s an opportunity to imagine your life here as a student— where you’ll study, spend time after class, and meet new friends!
Read on for some tips from a current student about visiting Chatham, and envision what type of student you could be:
Imagine your daily routine on campus
Whether you prefer staying in or going out, studying alone or in a group, waking up early or sleeping in, look to campus as a place to expand on your hobbies and day-to-day routines.
As you pass the upper campus dorms and the 5th Avenue apartments, notice your proximity to bus lines. The residential area where Chatham is located is perfect for jogging, or, if that isn’t really your thing, riding a Healthy Ride bike, which you can find and rent close by. Mellon Park is just a couple minutes away by foot - do you see yourself packing a hammock and heading to study within its gardens, or would you rather read and snack on the quad?
The library is the obvious study choice, but if you work better with music or lively chatter, take a seat at Café Rachel to work on assignments between classes. A group hangout can be planned in the bright solarium in the Mellon Building or in its main room, surrounded by vintage bookcases and stained glass windows amid the inviting atmosphere of whimsical academia.
Students riding Pittsburgh’s Party Pedaler in the city as part of an activity organized by the Office of Student Affairs.
Consider walkability (and livability!)
Plenty of students and faculty bike to campus each day. Some close-by commuters take the bus, while others walk. When I lived off-campus, I’d head to my morning class with a closed mug of mint tea from my apartment, or walk with the occasional latte from Coffee Tree Roasters, located just a few blocks over on Walnut Street. Study breaks would be done by a bench outside the Mellon Building or at the string of cafés on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. During my time as both a commuter and campus resident, I’d walk to neighborhoods like Shadyside, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, and Oakland regularly.
Campus is beautiful in all seasons. A walk to or from class is scenic, and it’s always exciting to come across a new bookstore, museum, or park as you wander. You could grab your friends and get on the bus to explore the Pittsburgh view from Mount Washington, see a band play at Mr. Roboto Project in the East End, or stay close and enjoy an outdoor concert and the bustling neighborhood fun in Shadyside at the Jam On Walnut block party. Wherever you find yourself on campus, there’s plenty of structured activities nearby and opportunities to make your own fun.
Ask current students about campus
Get a sense of what daily life is like by talking to students on the quad, or the undergraduate ambassador guiding a campus tour. An advantage of living in a close-knit community is that everyone is approachable and willing to share tips about campus living. You might make a friend, hear about a campus life hack, or learn about our different student organizations this way.
Check out Eden Hall’s bucolic campus and residence hall
Located in Gibsonia, Chatham’s Eden Hall campus is chock-full of wildlife and is a hub of sustainable living and research. While the Shadyside campus is certified as a 32-acre arboretum, Eden Hall is a sprawling 388 acres of farmland, gardens, trails, and lab facilities. You don’t have to be a sustainability major to visit, and if you’re mesmerized by the idea of living on innovative farmland, check out Orchard Hall, its residence hall.
Activities like movie nights, pool parties, and cooking classes are sometimes organized for students, and the meals are delicious. Learn about Eden Hall’s interesting history here. Fun fact: there are goats.
Visit the Office of Student Affairs
For more resources on campus buildings, transportation, community events, and things to do on campus, pop into the Office of Student Affairs before you leave.
On your tour, don’t miss…
The Mellon Building
If you ever want to feel like you belong somewhere between the pages of an old book, this is the place. Once the home of Andrew Mellon, the Mellon Building houses events like the annual winter tradition of drinking eggnog amidst beautiful holiday decorations. Make sure to wave at Andrew Mellon’s portrait before you leave for good luck.
Did you know? The Mellon Building made appearances in the Netflix production of The Chair, starring Sandra Oh!
Mellon Pond
This is the perfect spot to unwind, study, observe our campus wildlife or practice your downward dog. You might find yoga classes being held here while it’s warm and sunny.
The Art and Design Center
Check out the art created by current and past students, and facilities for ceramic-making and video editing, housed in Chatham’s former gymnasium (you can even see our former logo on the old gym floor!). Events showcasing student work and art markets are organized a couple times a year.
Rea Coffeehouse
Colorful notes, art, and graffiti from past decades cover the walls of this little spot where poetry readings, open mics, dances, and other creative events take place.
The Broadcast Studio
Located in the lower level of the Mellon Building, this is where many photography, film, and communications students get equipment, take classes, record podcasts, and practice filming. It’s a small space, but worth checking out if you study communications, want to find out about departmental opportunities, internships, or student events.
Chapel Hill
Whether you’re by foot or in your car, you can’t miss this view!
While we’re sure that you’ll appreciate the history and sylvan charm of our campus as much as we do, touring Chatham is about finding community. We hope that you’ll continue to explore parts of Chatham and Pittsburgh in the fall, future Coug!
For more underrated and stunning spots on campus, check out student writer Abigail Kneuss’ Top Ten Spots for Fall Photo Fun. Click here to check out tour opportunities and schedule your own today!