At CHC, we know and value the unique partnership between CHC, our students, and their families. As we work to identify and address the challenges associated with COVID-19, we know communication with you is critically important. Consequently, and in an effort to enhance current and future communications with parents and families throughout your student's experience at CHC, we are excited to announce our new Parent & Family Association.

We hope the CHC Parent & Family Association will be a valuable part of your experience while your student is studying with us. We hope you will find answers to important questions, as well as opportunities to become more engaged in our College community. Look for information about upcoming events, as well as helpful articles written by members of our community about the experience of our students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni.

CHC Updates!

We're spotlighting different departments on campus, who will provide a special note of welcome. You'll also find the latest news regarding plans for the Fall semester here. So make sure to check back often to learn about CHC's various departments, offices, campus resources and stay up-to-date with all things Chestnut Hill!

7.13.20 - President's Message on Returning to Campus

Dear Members of the Chestnut Hill College Community,

I wish to share my continued prayers for you and your families during these challenging times. While there are many worries and concerns among us, there is also hope given the progress we have made within our state and local communities. I hope and pray that the many efforts made by individuals will collectively help our communities stay safe. As infection rates continue to rise in other areas of the country, we must all do our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings.

I would like to communicate with you about some recent developments regarding our return to campus in late August. We continue to monitor federal, state, and local guidelines regarding the opening of campus and the necessary plans we must make in the fall. We also continue to work with our colleagues from around the country in sharing practices for a return to campus that creates a safer environment for students, staff, and faculty during these difficult times. As you know, the uncertainty of the times we live in can often cause stress and anxiety, complicating the choices we must make as individuals, families, and communities. I am hopeful that the information that follows will provide you a better understanding of the steps we are taking to ensure your safety this fall at CHC.

COVID-19 Planning and Prevention

We continue to meet regularly with state and local officials to plan for a number of new activities and services which will be part of our campus community experience this fall. Among them:

1. Masks - Until further notice, CHC is requiring all students, staff, and faculty, as well as all visitors to campus, to wear a face covering. Everyone is expected to provide their own mask and to wear it at all times. Exceptions to this policy would require medical documentation on record with either Health Services or Human Resources.

2. Social distancing - Similarly, CHC is requiring all students, staff, and faculty, as well as all visitors to campus, to practice social distancing wherever possible. While this is not possible at all times, we expect everyone to make conscious efforts to keep themselves distanced from others when possible.

3. Social gatherings and other CDC-recommendations - Based on guidance currently available, there will be no gatherings of 25 or more individuals. Also, additional custodial services will be provided throughout the day, particularly in public spaces, to provide additional cleaning of these higher traffic areas.

4. We are working with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office on additional guidance related to testing, contact tracing, and self-quarantining prior to arrival on campus. Additional details will be shared with our community as they are finalized.

5. No Visitors will be permitted on campus with the exception of essential workers required for the operation of the College who must comply with College regulations on face masks/coverings and social distancing.

Academics

The Academic Chairs, Coordinators, Directors, and Deans, along with the COVID-19 Task Force, have been working on the development of a low-density, hybrid model for instruction for the fall semester of 2020. This model will allow for classes and coursework to be offered online while also allowing smaller classes for faculty offering face-to-face instruction, promoting more social distancing while on-campus. Academic leadership is currently in communication with all faculty members to develop a course schedule that will list each course as face-to-face, hybrid, or online. We expect this schedule to be available by July 27th. Additionally, and with the help of the Registrar’s Office, classes are being relocated to larger spaces on campus that allow for greater social distancing between students and faculty.

Student Life

Student Life, in collaboration with Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, and Admissions, has converted the traditional Griffin Days to Griffins Go a fully on-line experience for our new Griffins:

Academic placement tests are fully on-line;
Faculty/staff virtual presentations are scheduled for our new Griffins with the active involvement of our Orientation Leaders;
Departmental Resource videos are being created for Griffins to access online 24/7;
On-going outreach to our Griffins by our Orientation Leaders are happening consistently throughout the Summer;
Fall Orientation is also being redesigned to welcome Griffins to the Hill with special attention to health safety precautions.

Residence Life has confirmed Fall housing assignments and information has been sent to resident students regarding guidelines and newly instituted “belonging drop-off” days to reduce the concentration of students and families on move-in day.

Career Development launched the College’s annual Career Development survey for the Class of 2020. Newly minted alums are encouraged to complete this survey in order to share your success, learn from your experience in order to support other Griffins, and help us stay connected with you. Once a Griffin, always a Griffin!

Athletics

The health and safety of our student-athletes is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) just recently announced its decision to cancel all fall athletic competitions. We understand this was a very difficult decision for the Conference to make given its commitment to our student-athletes and knowing the impact athletic involvement has on a student’s collegiate experience. Similar to other collegiate athletic conferences, we believe this decision is a necessary action to limit high-risk activities given the continued spread of the virus at this time. Individual team meetings have occurred, a FAQ resource sheet is being developed and a student-athlete Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15th. In the Fall, student-athletes will participate in conditioning, team practices, and inter-squad competitions – as well as on academics and co-curricular opportunities. Fall athletic competitions will be moved to Spring 2021. It is important to note that the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) and the East Coast Conference (ECC) have not yet announced decisions for Fall competition in sprint football and bowling. These decisions will be forthcoming.

Student, Staff, and Faculty Concerns

As mentioned previously, I am aware that it might not be possible for some individuals to return to campus at this time. Respectful of these situations, students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the Office of Academic Advising at advising@chc.edu. We believe that we will be able to accommodate most students’ needs to continue their academic programs remotely. Staff and faculty who have concerns should contact the Office of Human Resources.

I continue to be grateful and impressed by the agility and commitment of our students, faculty, and staff as we have navigated a very fluid and stress-filled situation since March. We are in daily communication with other educators, institutions, and agencies who are contributing to our plan and our efforts to continue to take the necessary steps to keep our community as safe as possible. Please know that the health and safety of all members of our College community is our most important responsibility and considered above all else as we finalize our plan. The City of Philadelphia required that a draft be submitted today of re-opening plans from each college and university. These plans will be thoroughly reviewed by City agencies. Once we receive feedback from the City on our re-opening plan we will make any necessary revisions and share it with the College community.

I continue to pray for you, your families, our country, those struggling with this pandemic and those taking positive steps to engage the social unrest in our communities. As we have done in the past, we unite as Griffins, knowing from experience that we are Better Together.

God’s peace and blessings,

Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D.

President

7.9.20 - Chestnut Hill College Stands with Our International Students

Dear Members of the Chestnut Hill College Community,

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well.

Yesterday, the Department of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement altered the guidelines of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for the 2020 fall semester. The most significant and troubling modification is the automatic loss of visas for international students who are enrolled only in online courses. The new rule, which overrides a temporary exemption put into place at the beginning of the pandemic, states that international students must take in-person or hybrid-model classes to retain their visas. If they do not comply, international students currently studying in the U.S. on F-1 visas will be required to depart the U.S., and international students presently living abroad will be prohibited from reentering the country.

As an institution whose mission is to serve our Dear Neighbors with love and without distinction, Chestnut Hill College stands against ICE’s decision and stands with our international student community. Amidst this global pandemic, it is reprehensible that our government leaders would choose to play politics and knowingly deprive international students of their education. Moreover, this decision is antithetical to the principles upon which this country was built; a country whose foundation was laid by immigrants who sought an opportunity to better themselves here in America.

Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have filed lawsuits hoping to reverse the guidelines. Other institutions of higher education will be joining with them to support their endeavor.

To all our international students: Chestnut Hill College supports you and stands with you. We take pride in your membership in our campus community and we are grateful for your many contributions. The richness you add to the student life experience at Chestnut Hill is invaluable. We pledge to be in touch with our SEVP representatives and with our Senators and Congressional Representatives with the goal of offering a compelling narrative that will encourage the administration to reverse this irresponsible decision. Please know that our campus is and will always be your second home, and our community will always welcome you as family.

God’s peace and blessings,

Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D.

6.23.20 - President's Message to Parents and Families on Fall Re-Opening

Dear Families, Friends, and Supporters of Chestnut Hill College Students, It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I share news regarding our return to campus this fall. Given the State’s re-opening process, we are excited to announce our decision to welcome your student back ‘to the Hill’ this August and to begin the process of our own re-opening over the next several weeks.

Last week, I sent an email to your student letting him/her know of our plan to resume classes on campus on Monday, August 31, 2020, and then continuing with on-campus instruction through November 20, 2020, the Friday before Thanksgiving. We plan to close for Thanksgiving that evening and resume all classes online through final exams. Through the course of the semester, we will be using a low-density, hybrid model for course delivery so as to accomplish social distancing. We continue to work with faculty and staff to determine the best combination of online and face-to-face instruction that promotes student learning while maintaining the health and safety of the campus. With the help of the COVID-19 Task Force, other recommendations and decisions are being made regarding health and safety, academic instruction, campus life, and student accounts. These decisions include, but are not limited to: Course delivery in face-to-face, hybrid, and online environments; Residence hall move-in; New policies regarding campus public health; Adjustment to Fall room and board charges for residential students. As news of our state’s re-opening continues to evolve, please be advised that the College’s COVID-19 Task Force and senior leadership team continue to plan for your student’s return to campus. Our Task Force and sub-committees meet weekly to examine the current situation in our region as well as on-going changes to federal and state guidelines. Reporting to the Task Force are five sub-committees comprised of students, staff, and faculty who meet to discuss issues and best practices which have been established regarding on-campus health and safety, instructional delivery, classroom capacity, employee workspaces, residence halls, and common use facilities such as the dining hall, lounges, and restrooms. We are hard at work making plans for our fall semester, one which we know will be unlike any other in our 97-year history. New policies and practices to safeguard the community are in the process of development, review, and approval. A comprehensive campus plan will be published by mid-July when official guidance from state legislators and health officials is confirmed. Additional information about the College’s plan to re-open will be available on a specially designated page on the website and on our social media platforms. I am aware that it might not be possible for some students to be on campus for their classes. Underlying conditions, concerns about the transmission of COVID to a family member with compromised health, issues with transportation, or other possible concerns may affect a student’s decision to participate in campus-based learning. Respectful of these situations, faculty and advisors are prepared to work with each student to balance their needs for remote learning. If you have a student who cannot return to campus for the fall semester but does not want to lose the fall semester, please have your student contact their academic advisor or the Office of Academic Advising at advising@chc.edu to schedule a conversation. While we still confront a very fluid situation, I assure you that we will continue to communicate campus updates and provide support and resources whenever and wherever possible. Chestnut Hill College is committed to providing a high-quality academic experience in an inclusive, welcoming Catholic community. We are excited about the semester to come, and we look forward to welcoming you and your student back to campus. In the meantime, we thank our College Community for coming together to persevere through these uncertain times. I continue to pray for you and for our country. Together, we will work to effect the necessary changes in ourselves and in our nation. God’s peace and blessings, Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D. President

6.10.20 - Get to Know the Admissions Office

Hello Parents! Welcome to our parent page! My name is John Solewin, and I am the Director of Admissions at Chestnut Hill College. For more than 95 years, Chestnut Hill College has been providing students with a holistic education that readies them for successful careers and meaningful lives. As a result, the college has been continuously recognized for offering innovative, high-quality academic programs and learning experiences that transcend the boundaries of the classroom.

In August, the college was selected by The Princeton Review as one of the “Best in the Northeast” and was recognized among the top 20 percent of four-year colleges and universities in the nation. The college was also included on College Magazine’s most recent list of the “Top 10 Colleges in Philadelphia.” As a parent, your guidance and support through the college search process is invaluable to your child. More than a decade later, I continue to be grateful for my parents love and support in helping me through the college search along every step of the way. Though this experience is about your child’s education, in many ways it is about you. You have raised them and guided them along the way, and now you are trusting us to continue to shape the person they’ll become. We commend you for the excellent parenting and assure you that your child will accomplish great feats over their next four years here. Over the summer months, we believe that you will continue to play a crucial role in making sure your child is ready for the fall! Whether that consists of dorm shopping, finishing up financial aid paperwork, or helping them move in, we know you’ll be by their side to make sure things go smoothly! To ensure our students meet the ever-changing demands of society, Chestnut Hill College is committed to developing new academic programs, renovating its campus, and evolving our NCAA Division II athletics program. With new majors such as Cybersecurity and Law and Legal Studies, and new additions to campus like the Beatlab, our brand-new, state-of-the-art music studio, there truly has never been a better time to be a Griffin. If your child has chosen Chestnut Hill as their “Home away from Home,” congrats! If they haven’t started the application process yet, they can apply via our online application at chc.edu/apply or by competing the Common Application (FEE WAIVER: Griffin). Once their high school transcripts and official test scores have been received, we’ll quickly review there completed application for an admissions decision. If, at any point, you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me! I am available any time! You can contact me at solewinj@chc.edu or (215) 248-7134. John Solewin, M.S. Director of Admissions

6.4.20 - COVID-19 Task Force Update #1

To facilitate the development of a comprehensive response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus, Chestnut Hill College recently established a COVID-19 Task Force, which is currently designing plans to welcome students, faculty, and staff back to campus in the fall. As the task force finalizes plans for on-campus instruction in the fall, the health and safety of all community members are of paramount importance.

The task force has four subcommittees comprising faculty and staff members with relevant expertise that will each address a specific area related to the College’s response. The four groups include the Health and Safety Subcommittee, the Technology Subcommittee, the Academic Programs and Planning Subcommittee, and the Student Engagement and Success Subcommittee. The College has also created a Student Impact Subcommittee composed of students from all three schools. The voice of students is essential in the implementation of a plan that is mission grounded and sensitive to the diverse needs of the many students who call Chestnut Hill College home.

Together, the task force and its four subcommittees are following protocols and guidance from local and national healthcare organizations to develop a plan to bring the community back to campus in the fall. The College remains committed to providing students with an inclusive, holistic, and highly attentive experience that reflects its mission and history of academic excellence.

The ever-evolving nature of the pandemic requires agility and creativity from the College in how it operates and educates, and it is currently preparing for a wide range of scenarios the institution might face over the course of the fall semester. As always, the health and safety of the community are the primary considerations guiding all of the College’s decisions. Striking an accord between educational delivery and safety, therefore, remains the top priority for the College at this time.

More information is forthcoming and will be communicated to the community when it is made available.

5.27.20 - Get to Know Logue Library

Welcome to Logue Library! We are here to support and help enhance the learning and research efforts of your student throughout their time at CHC. Logue librarians specialize in helping students locate the resources they need efficiently and effectively. Reach us by phone, text message, chat, email, and via virtual research appointment. We look forward to helping our newest Griffin!

5.20.20 - Get to Know Transfer Admissions

Hello from the Office of Transfer Admissions at Chestnut Hill College!

My name is Darian Leader and I am the Director Of Transfer Admissions here at beautiful CHC! My Assistant Director, Iris Lieberman, and I are dedicated to serving and advocating for our talented Transfer population- which accounts for 1/3 of the entire Griffin Community! We understand that transitioning to a new college can be stressful, so our office works personally and individually with each student; guiding them step by step during the application and enrollment process, through registration, and on to graduation!

Chestnut Hill College, and specifically our office, truly values the diversity and personal experience that is so rich within our Transfer Student population! We are thrilled to honor the hard work of our Transfer Students by accepted up to 75 transfer credits towards their CHC degree and by offering competitive scholarships of up to $21,000 per year! To learn more about our prestigious college and our seamless transfer experience, please contact us at 215-248-7001 today!

5.13.20 - Get to Know the Health Services Center

Welcome to the Chestnut Hill College Family!

Chestnut Hill College (CHC) has a Student Health Center that is located on campus on the 1st floor of one of our dormitories-Fitzsimmons Hall. The Health Center is for all undergraduate students. Care is provided by a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) and Registered Nurse (RN) in the office with the availability of a physician consultant by phone as needed. This staff provides acute and episodic care for all undergraduate students, as well as, compilation, review and monitoring of student health histories, vaccinations and immunity status. We also provide proactive health and wellness counseling.

CHC does not provide health insurance coverage to students. It is strongly recommended that all students have health insurance, however, it is not required. If a student does have health insurance, we recommend carrying the card or a photo of card in phone to ease the need for prescriptions and visits to Urgent Cares and/or Emergency Rooms.

As the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, I assure you that Chestnut Hill College is closely monitoring and strategizing how to best to protect our students, faculty and staff in the upcoming months.

Keep in mind that all undergraduate students are required to complete a “Health Packet” that is available on the “New Student Guide”. I have included it here as well. I understand that there will be challenges with getting some of the required information on these forms in the next few months due to the significant restrictions placed on our health care systems. I would encourage you to get started as soon as possible. There are 9 pages that need to be completed, 5 of them can be filled out by the student and/or parent/guardian. In most cases, if immunizations are up to date, your Primary Care Provider’s office can send to you a copy or you may even be able to download from your online medical record. Physical Exams will be excepted within a year prior to the start of the school year.

Please reach out with any questions and more information is available on our website, CHC Student Health Center.

Click here to download the health packet for new students.

Fondly,

DEIRDRE HORAN, MSN, CRNP

Director of Health Center
Nurse Practitioner

Fitzsimmons Hall 103
215-248-7111
HoranD@chc.edu

5.6.20 - Get to Know the Office of Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry focuses on student formation through pastoral accompaniment, advocacy and outreach, spiritual exploration and leadership development. We talk with students as they discern big questions: Who I am? Who am I called to become? How can I use my gifts in service to the world?

Inspired by the unifying mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, we walk with students as they engage in service opportunities and process the justice issues in our local city and wider world. We work to empower the giftedness of those around us to build campus community with a rich sense of belonging. By providing vibrant opportunities of engagement, we hope to serve and celebrate people of all faiths.

4.30.20 - Get to Know the Office of Alumni Relations

Welcome to Chestnut Hill College, International Students! Alumni Relations is here for all current students as well as alumni. Our mission is to engage all alumni in meaningful ways. Alumni are the foundation of this school, and we are proud of all of you! Our motto is “once a griffin, always a griffin” - wherever you are in the world, we are here for you! To contact the our office, email alumni@chc.edu.