General Information

Chapman University is a 147-year-old independent institution of liberal arts and professional education dedicated to providing a solid foundation of knowledge that enables its graduates to become fully educated persons. The university is comprised of the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics, the School of Education, the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, the School of Law, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Performing Arts, the College of Science and University College. Additional course offerings developed specifically for adult learners are available through Chapman's University College, with locations in California and Washington.

Chapman is recognized for its liberal arts core, distinguished faculty, innovative programs and personalized attention to students. The university strives to develop in students the ability to think clearly, communicate effectively, explore issues from contrasting points of view, value human and cultural diversity, and make informed ethical judgments in an increasingly complex world.

Key Elements

Graduate Studies

Chapman's graduate curricula are designed to provide advanced study in specific disciplines to broaden and deepen knowledge of the subject studied. In addition, our master's degree programs give the students practical training and skills for advancement in selected professional careers.

Small classes and close personal supervision by the faculty are hallmarks of Chapman. Graduate students are expected to show persistence, maturity, the capacity for growth, and an interest far beyond the attainment of the minimum requirements for degrees.

Faculty

The more than 320 full–time and 250 part–time faculty on the Orange campus represent an outstanding range of intellectual interests, research endeavors, and creative activities. They include noted researchers in the sciences and social sciences, gifted artists, prolific writers, talented film makers and widely published and recognized scholars.

As a community, the faculty is comprised of people who connect active scholarship and creative activity with teaching and learning as a bridge between research and practice. Their research and creative work informs both their teaching and their lives in ways that enable students to see the value of a commitment to lifelong learning. Some 89% hold terminal degrees; 47% are tenured. Full–time faculty teach two to three courses a semester.

Enrollment

Chapman's student body on the Orange campus is approximately 6,151, including undergraduate and graduate students. Almost half of the undergraduate live in university housing. Most of the out-of-state students come from the Western United States, though 40 states and 51 foreign countries are represented in the student population.

Calendar

Chapman's academic year is on a 4–1–4 calendar. Fall classes begin in late August and end just prior to Christmas. An interterm session is held in January, offering special opportunities for students to participate in travel courses or take experimental courses. The course offerings in interterm, however, are limited. The spring semester begins at the end of January and ends in May. Four summer sessions are scheduled from the end of May through mid–August. Evening classes are also offered for working professionals. A special emphasis is made to meet the requirements of public school credentials.

Campus Life

Learning takes place both within and outside of the classroom. Chapman fosters an environment in which it is expected that students will take responsibility for their learning and living. Through its various offices, the staff provides guidance, support, and opportunities for student growth and development. Chapman believes in creating programs and services tailored to the individual needs of students.

Career Development Center

The mission of the Career Development Center is to assist students at Chapman University with identifying, developing and implementing their career goals through self-direction and personal responsibility. To that end, the Center is committed to providing quality services to students including individual career counseling, career assessment, resume and cover letter writing and critiques, interview coaching, internship opportunities, job postings, career fairs, career related workshops and panels, graduate school advising and a career and graduate school resource library. Located in Argyros Forum 303, the center may be contacted by phone (714) 997-6942 or e-mail, career@chapman.edu.

Educational Placement Files

The Career Development Center will assist teachers and school personnel to establish a "Self-Managed Educational Placement File." Handouts are available in the Career Development Center. These materials can be accessed as well through their website at www.chapman.edu/cdc/students/teacher.asp.

Career Counseling and Assessment

Individual career counseling is available by appointment to assist students in developing career goals, determining methods of obtaining these goals, and implementing a viable plan for an effective job search or additional education. Career counselors work with students to help them assess their interests, skills, and values and make connections to appropriate jobs, and career fields. In addition, a collection of career, graduate school, and employer information is available for student use.

The Internship Program

Internships give students the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining practical work experience in the field of their choice. Positions are available in various disciplines and are offered year round (fall semester, intersession, spring semester, and summer). The Career Development Center administers the domestic internship program while international internships are now handled by the Center for Global Education. A specific number of hours for each credit earned plus regular contact with an internship faculty advisor are required. Up to three credits per employer per semester may be earned through internship courses. To register for internships, students must submit an Internship Learning Agreement Form (ILAF), Intern Responsibilities Form, and Academic Integrity Policy Form to the Career Development Center. More information is available on the Career Development Center web site at www.chapman.edu/cdc/students/intern/default.asp.

Off-Campus Employment

The Career Development Center promotes part-time employment as an excellent way for students to gain valuable workplace skills, supplement their academic experience and earn spending money. Students can access these job postings using Panther Connect, the online "one-stop shop" for internships and jobs at www.chapman.edu/cdc/students/pantherConnect.asp. Computers are available for student use in the Career Development Center. In addition, students can receive assistance in résumé writing and interviewing.

Center for Academic Success

The goal of the Center for Academic Success is to help students achieve their own greatest academic success and to realize a personally rewarding college experience. General advising and placement testing services help students meet university requirements as they move to achieving their educational goals. Tutoring services help students personalize learning and get a good start on their college careers. Study techniques and services help individuals reap the greatest benefits from their investment of study time and effort. The Center for Academic Success also provides accommodations for students with disabilities. In addition, it provides general information and referrals to other university programs and services to help students grow and develop to their fullest potential.

Children’s Center

The Children's Center provides daily (M-F) full-time and part-time care for children ages two to five, as well as a traditional half-day preschool experience. Children need not be potty trained. Chapman students from the psychology department observe the development and behavior of the children to fulfill lab requirements for their course work. Students from other departments also utilize the center for additional class requirements or as a place of employment during the academic year. The center is open to students, faculty, and staff at reduced prices and is located at the First United Methodist Church of Orange, 161 South Orange Street.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Chapman University is committed to making its educational opportunities accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. By providing access to qualified students with disabilities, the university demonstrates its belief that the community will benefit from the skills and talents of these individuals. In this regard, Chapman University has implemented the following policies:

• Chapman University strictly prohibits any form of discrimination on the basis of an individual's disability.
• Chapman University offers reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified individuals.

The director of the Center for Academic Success administers these policies. Information concerning these policies is maintained in the Center for Academic Success. Summaries and references to these policies are provided in the university's application and admissions materials, and its student handbook. Individuals can also obtain information about these policies, services, documentation requirements, etc. from the Director of the Center for Academic Success at (714) 997-6828.

The Center for Academic Success serves as the clearing house for all requested accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student requesting accommodations to make these needs known in a timely fashion and to provide recent documentation and medical evaluations as required. It is recommended that the student provide these materials prior to the beginning of the academic year or semester so that the university may better serve the student's needs and the student may avoid any irreversible academic consequences. Once notification has been made the university will engage in an interactive process in order to identify our obligation to provide reasonable accommodations. Services provided will be based on the individual needs of the student, and may include extended test time, notetakers, readers, etc.

Any student with significant learning disabilities, manifested in the learning of foreign language and/or mathematics and has a documented failure in the subject, will be encouraged to attempt the class with accommodations before a petition for substitution is considered. However, if the student has a history of failure to succeed in these areas, based on a documented disability, he/she may request an immediate review of their documentation by the ADA Committee.

The ADA Committee determines the appropriate identification of significant learning disability in the area of foreign language and/or mathematics and is the final authority in the decision to grant a course substitution.

The university, through the Center for Academic Success, will work with the appropriate faculty member who is asked to provide the accommodations for a student in determining what accommodations are appropriate based on the documentation and the individual student needs. The granting of any accommodation will not be retroactive and cannot jeopardize the academic standards or integrity of the course.

Student Psychological Counseling Services

A range of confidential psychological counseling services is provided to students on an as-available basis. Referral for psychiatric evaluation or to other appropriate outside agencies is available for students with additional therapy needs. All full-time undergraduates are eligible for services; part-time and graduate students must opt to pay a Health and Counseling fee at the time of registration.

Library Services

The Chapman University Leatherby Libraries contain over 260,000 volumes and provides access to over 34,000 full text electronic journals, over 10,000 electronic books, 1,900 print journal titles as well as DVDs, videos, CDs and other media. The library's Web page — http://www.chapman.edu/library — is the starting point for accessing the book holdings and journal indexes, including over 55 full text databases and extensive online resource sources. Library users may also renew books online via the library web page. The ILLIAD Interlibrary Loan program enhances the hard-copy and electronic holdings, enabling the library staff to further support the research needs of students and faculty. A multi–format library instruction program, including computer assisted instruction, is an important part of the freshman through the senior year experience. Library instruction and information literacy promoting life long learning skills occurs throughout the curriculum, ensuring that students are connected to the information resources they need to succeed academically.

The new Leatherby Libraries opened in fall 2004. With 16 group study rooms, hundreds of user workstations and capacity for 350,000 books, it provides exemplary library services and resources to the Chapman community.

International Student Services

International Student Services was established to serve the special needs of international students on the Chapman University campus. The office acts primarily as a source of information and assistance with the goal of helping to make the international students' experience at Chapman as productive and meaningful as possible.

The office provides the following services: issuance of required immigration documents; F–1 visa student tracking and reporting as required by USICE; fall and spring orientation programs; counseling for academic, financial and personal matters; assistance with health insurance, internships, on-campus employment, tax and immigration matters; certificates of enrollment and official letters for foreign administration offices; information on social and cultural events; and liaison with campus and community programs.

Student Health Services

Physical well-being has a tremendous impact on academic performance. The goal of medical services is to provide the opportunity for academic success, while the focus is to provide students with easy access to health care and disease prevention.

Chapman University Student Health (CUSH) is staffed with nurse practitioners, nurses and physicians to promote good health and to assess and treat a variety of physical ailments that typically affect college-age students. Services include first aid treatment and triage, primary medicine, gynecological services, immunizations, and health screening. Some medications are provided for a modest fee, and some prescriptions are called into the students' pharmacy of choice. When a student's condition is beyond the scope of CUSH, the student may be referred off campus for health care to a physician or clinic in the community.

The Chapman Student Health Center is located at 402 N. Glassell Street (corner of Glassell and Sycamore), Orange, CA 92866. The phone number for the Health Center is (714) 997-6851. The center is available to students Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on a walk-in basis. It is recommended that appointments be made for afternoon hours.

Restaurant Services

Chapman University Restaurant Services consist of a multitude of interrelated service programs all designed to meet the needs of students as well as the entire campus. Restaurant Services is committed to providing flexibility, quality, and variety to all of their customers.

Residential students find meal plan options that serve their diverse backgrounds, tastes and schedules. Restaurant Services embraces personalized services and seeks to accommodate diets that are health related as well as preference related, e.g. they go to great lengths to accommodate physician prescribed diets as well as vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Additionally, look for lavish holiday buffets, community dinners, outside barbecues, and both early and late meals. Commuter students may also purchase meal plans associated with the residential restaurant and are encouraged to do so.

On-campus restaurants include the Betty Hutton Williams Dining Colonnade in Argyros Forum. The all-you-can-eat format is open to the entire campus community. Also located in Argyros Forum is the Hungry Panther, a collection of quick service restaurants designed for any palate. Salsa Rico™ presents authentic Mexican food with fresh salsas. Sky Ranch Grill™ offers 1/3 pound Angus burgers and great portabella mushroom sandwiches. Pantera's™ is Italian cuisine prepared just in time for consumption; gourmet hand tossed pizzas, freshly prepared salads, fresh baked pastas and Freshen's Smoothie Company, freshly made fruit and yogurt smoothies, frozen yogurt desserts and shakes. Cyber Café, located in Beckman Hall, hosts Jazzman's Café™, a coffee house with exceptional baked goods and grab and go salads; and Subversions™, a fresh made-to-order deli sandwich and wraps restaurant. Located within the new Leatherby Libraries, The Rotunda Café features Starbucks™ Speciality Coffee drinks and salads, sandwiches and quick bites, perfect for a late night study break. Please visit our Cheverton Commons Café and Market located in Henley Hall featuring Starbucks™ Coffee, assorted beverages and a selection of convenience items. Hours of operations vary from restaurant to restaurant. For more information please visit the website at www.chapman.edu/restaurants.

Public Safety

The primary role of the Public Safety office is to provide a safe working and learning environment for students, faculty and staff. The department operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and provides a variety of services: safety and emergency preparedness consultation, lost and found, operation safe-ride, property identification, vehicle registration, and bicycle registration. The Public Safety Department requires that all vehicles and bicycles on campus be registered. All registrations are processed through the Public Safety department Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, please stop by the office, call (714) 997-6763, or log onto the website at www.chapman.edu/publicsafety. The Public Safety Office is located at 415 North Glassell.

Chapman University Bookstore

The Chapman University Bookstore has two locations on campus. The Textbook Store, located in Bhathal Student Services Building, is the main source for textbooks. A large inventory of used books is available, which sell for 25% less than the new prices. Refunds are accepted with a receipt up to one week from the beginning of the semester or within 2 days if purchased after the refund deadline. Textbooks are non-returnable if purchased during midterms or finals. Basic reference material and supplies are also available at the Textbook Store. Used textbooks are bought back every day. During the final week of each semester a "Buyback" is hosted where 50% of the new price is offered on any title needed in the Bookstore in limited quantities. Students may reserve or purchase textbooks early at www.efollett.com.

The Agora Gift Shop is located in Argyros Forum. A wide assortment of collegiate clothing and gift items, school supplies and sundries are available. Titles not currently in stock may be special ordered. The merchandise catalog is available online at www.chapman.bkstr.com.

The Chapman University Bookstore can be contacted by phone at (714) 997-6718, or by email at chapman@bkstr.com.

Regular Semester Hours:

Textbook Store

Agora Gift Shop

Extended hours are offered during the first two weeks of each semester.

Summer/Holiday Hours:

Nondiscrimination Policy

Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, age, disability, national origin, or ethnicity in any of its policies or practices, including, but not limited to: admissions, academic requirements, financial aid, employment, housing, athletics, or any other school-administered program or service.

Grievance Procedures

Students who have complaints or concerns about campus academic policies, procedures, other polices, treatment by faculty or other campus employees, or concerns about college operations are encouraged to bring those concerns or complaints to the attention of the appropriate campus personnel.

For academic matters, the process normally begins with the faculty member involved. Appeals typically go to the department chair, the academic dean, and then the Chancellor. For non-academic matters (issues related to departments such as residence life, facilities management, business office, etc.), students should first discuss the matter with the head of the appropriate department with appeals to the appropriate supervisor. Students unsure of whom to contact should consult with the office of the vice president and dean of students for appropriate referral.

Student Life Policies and Student Conduct Code

At Chapman, students are expected to adhere to the policies that govern student behavior outlined in the Student Conduct Code. The university is specifically concerned when individual student and organizational behavior directly interfere with the university's primary educational objectives and functions, or the rights and safety of other members of the university community. Chapman believes that the disciplinary process has a role in developing a sense of responsibility and accountability in students. To that end, the university uses education and counseling, in addition to formal disciplinary proceedings to bring about these outcomes. Every Chapman student is presumed to have sufficient maturity, intelligence, and concern for the rights of others and the rights of the institution to help maintain the established standards of the academic community. When a student or organization's behavior demonstrates otherwise, the university will consider disciplinary proceedings as deemed necessary. For details regarding institutional policies governing student conduct or the disciplinary process, see the Chapman University Student Conduct Code, or the Student Handbook. For students residing in university-owned housing, see also the Chapman University Guide to Residential Living. Refer to the Office of Student Conduct website at www.chapman.edu/studentlife/conduct/ to find the code and other relevant policies.

Alcohol and Drugs

Chapman University students and their guests are expected to abide by all federal, state, and local laws, as well as Chapman policies governing use of alcohol and drugs. This requires that students and their guests not only have knowledge of these various laws and policies, but also are responsible and mature decision makers. Chapman seeks to impart this knowledge and these values first and foremost through educational means relying heavily on positive staff and faculty role modeling, the formation and use of a peer education network, and curriculum infusion whenever possible. Factual information and knowledge regarding alcohol and drugs, skills and strategies for achieving and maintaining healthy behaviors, creation of a cooperative and consistent campus peer environment, and compliance with all local and federal regulations are components of this educational agenda. Illegal and abusive use of alcohol and other drugs by any member of the campus community constitutes an untenable threat to the community and signals a need for intervention on the part of the university.(For further details, refer to the Chapman University Alcohol and Substance Abuse Policy. All campus event use of alcohol must be approved via an alcohol use permit.

Firearms and Fireworks

The possession or use of firearms, fireworks, or other explosives is prohibited on campus and may be grounds for immediate dismissal.

Freedom of Speech and Expression

Freedom of speech, protected by the United States Constitution, is an especially important value within an academic community. Thus, all topics are appropriate for discussion and debate within the framework of academic inquiry. Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, and to express opinions publicly and privately. They are always free to support causes by orderly means, which do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the institution. At the same time, it is clear to the academic and the larger community that in their public expressions or demonstrations, students or student organizations speak only for themselves.

Harassment and Discrimination

Chapman University is committed to providing an environment which is free from harassment, and every member of the university community must recognize that harassment of any type compromises the integrity of the university and the tradition of free and open inquiry among its members. Chapman also affirms its commitment to providing an environment in which each member of the university community feels free to comment on any issue or topic.

It is the university's policy, therefore, to insist that all members of the university community are treated at all times with dignity and respect. The university has a strict policy which prohibits harassment in any form. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment because of age, disability, race, religion, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sex, or sexual orientation.

The university will not tolerate any conduct which has either the purpose or the effect of interfering with the work or scholastic performance of any member of the university community or creating an intimidating or hostile living, learning, or working environment. The university will also not tolerate any conduct which has the purpose or effect of singling out any specific group within the university community in a manner which leads to harassment or which creates an offensive working or learning environment for that group.

It is a violation of university policy for anyone to engage in any form of harassment or to retaliate against a person who has initiated an inquiry or complaint.

The right of confidentiality for any party involved in an alleged harassment incident, including the complainant and the accused, will be respected insofar as it does not interfere with the university's obligation to investigate allegations of misconduct and to take corrective action where appropriate.

In keeping with its policies, Chapman University not only fully complies with all local, state, and federal laws concerning harassment, but also provides a means to assure fair treatment to any student or employee who believes the policy prohibiting harassment has been violated. It is the policy of the university that all charges of harassment be reviewed in a confidential, sensitive, and expeditious manner. For further information, please contact the Equal Opportunity Officer at (714) 997-6847.

Hazing and Disorderly Conduct

Hazing, indecent or disorderly conduct, or failure to comply with the directions of Chapman officials acting in the regular performance of their duties are not compatible with the university's function as an educational intuition. Any such behavior will result in conduct proceedings and appropriate consequences.

Local, State, and Federal Laws

Students attending Chapman are subject to local, state, and federal laws. Chapman reserves the right to impose institutional sanctions for violations of public laws, even when such violations occur off university property. Students may also be subject to civil and/or criminal charges for offenses on Chapman property, if such offenses are in violation of local, state, or federal laws.

Rights and Privacy Act/Confidentiality of Educational Records

In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Chapman University affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. A complete text of Chapman's Annual Notification to Students of their rights under FERPA is contained on the web page of the Office of the Registrar. In summary those rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day Chapman receives a request to access.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the students believes are not accurate.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. Those exceptions include school officials and Directory Information, both of which are described in the Annual Notification.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education regarding alleged failures by Chapman University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Violence

Any form of violence is forbidden and may result in immediate suspension from the campus, and upon appropriate determination, expulsion from Chapman University.