Chapman University

Chapman University

Chapman University Logo
Motto	ὀ Χριστòς καì ἡ Ἐκκλησíα (Christ and Church)
Type	Private
Established	1861 (as Hesperian College)
President	James L. Doti
Academic staff	581 total; 264 full-time, 317 part-time
Students	5,732
Undergraduates	3,864
Postgraduates	1,303
Location	Orange , California , USA
Campus	Suburban, 75 acres (.2 km²) (Located in historic Old Towne Orange)
Colors	Cardinal & Grey
Mascot	Panther
Website	http://www.chapman.edu/

Chapman University is a private, nonprofit university located in the city of Orange in Orange County, California, USA.

Mission statement

The mission of Chapman University is to provide personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical and productive lives as "global citizens."

History and background

Founded as Hesperian College, the school began classes on March 4, 1861, timed to coincide with the exact hour of President Abraham Lincoln's inauguration. Its founding principle was a dedication to Lincoln's belief in equality in education. To that end, Hesperian admitted students of both sexes and all races--a radical educational concept at that time.

In 1920, the assets of Hesperian College were absorbed by California Christian College, which held classes in downtown Los Angeles. In 1934, the school was renamed after the chairman of its board of trustees (and primary benefactor), C.C. Chapman.

Today, Chapman University is the largest private university in Orange County. It is comprised of four schools and three colleges, including the School of Law, the Argyros School of Business and Economics, the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, the School of Education, the College of Performing Arts, Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences and University College. It offers 46 undergraduate and 17 graduate majors.

Chapman offers the Juris Doctor (law) degree, and M.A. degrees in education, educational psychology, English, film studies, psychology, school counseling, special education, teaching (elementary), and teaching (secondary). It offers M.S. degrees in food science and nutrition and human resource management. Also offered are a Master of Business Administration; a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing; a Master of Fine Arts in film production, film and television producing, and screenwriting; and a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Public school credential programs include multiple subjects/BCLAD, single subject, single subject CLAD, pupil personnel school counseling (PPS), special education credentials mild moderate and moderate severe Level 1, special education credentials mild moderate and moderate severs Level II, and preliminary administrative services credentials. Many of the degree programs offer specializations.

Research facilities include the nationally recognized A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research, Albert Schweitzer Institute, Center for Non-Profit Leadership, Ludie and David C. Henley Social Science Research Laboratory, Walter Schmid Center for International Business, Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship Business Ethics, Center for the Study of the Cold War Era, John Fowles Center for Creative Writing, Center for Educational and Social Equity, Barry and Phyllis Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, Paulo Freire Democratic Project, a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory and research vivarium, food science and nutrition food-tasting and research laboratories, and a community clinic for psychological counseling and research.

Dr. James L. Doti has been president of Chapman University since 1991. Dr. Doti has received the Horatio Alger Award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He was honored by the Council for Advancement of Education as 2003 CEO of the Year. Doti is also chairman of the Association for Independent California Colleges and Universities, and is a member of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Council of Economic Advisors and serves on the Advisory Committee on Education Excellence.

As of June 30, 2005, Chapman University’s endowments totaled $156 million. There are 44 endowed chairs and professorships.

Chapman is accredited by and is a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. It is also a member of the Independent Colleges of Southern California, the College Entrance Examination Board, the Western College Association, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, the American Council on Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Division of Higher Education of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is also accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business International, the American Bar Association, the Institute of Food Technologists, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, the Joint Review Committee of Athletic Training Standards and Guidelines, and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy. The School of Education is a member of the American Council on Education and the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education. Its teacher training and credential programs are approved by the California State Department of Education, Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The graduate program in school psychology is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists.

Though the school is related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), it is not considered a "religious" university. Students are not required to take religion classes and the university is open to students of all backgrounds.

Chapman University's Main Campus owns the second largest piece of the Berlin Wall to be owned by an American university. It is also home to the largest free-standing spiral staircase west of the Mississippi River.

Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity Controversy

Controversy at Chapman University has been brewing since the college decided to introduce a new fraternity in 2006. Sigma Alpha Mu, an historically Jewish fraternity was not selected to be formally recognized. The group continued to organize and meet as an off-campus, non-recognized fraternity.

An investigation by the ACLU concluded that the students' rights were violated. http://aclu-sc.org/attach/c/chapman_univ_letter.pdf</ref> The ACLU has called on Chapman President James Doti to rescind the free speech restrictions. http://www.aclu-sc.org/News/#102616</ref>

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

On March 20, 2007 a Chapman student filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Family Policy Compliance Office against Chapman University for the improper disclosure of personal information by Dean of Students Joseph Kertes. The public disclosure of possible disciplinary action against the student was the basis for the FERPA complaint. The matter is currently pending.

Controversy Regarding Tony Garcia

In September of 2007, information was released to the student body that Professor Tony Garcia, who has worked with Chapman for over thirty-eight years, is to be forcibly retired, whereupon his salary is to be replaced with that of a new administrative position. An unnamed source among the faculty claims that Garcia is being targeted by administration due to his lack of both a doctorate and of a substantial publishing record. Most of his students agree, however, that Garcia, due to his extensive teaching experience and his familiarity with English grammar and literature, is one of the best that Chapman has to offer. Students have rallied to the cause, creating an online petition (see below) and Facebook group entitled "Save Tony Garcia."

Rankings and titles

Undergraduate and graduate school enrollment has doubled since 1992, and average SAT scores are around 1818. Chapman has the highest five-year growth rate (17%) of any private college in California.

In U.S. News & World Report's 2008 rankings of the best colleges in America, Chapman University is listed as 12th among masters-level universities in the Western region. U.S. News also lists Chapman 15th in the West among its 2006 picks for best-value universities offering masters programs. The Princeton Review's Best 361 Colleges 2006 chose Chapman for inclusion for a second year, as one of the top 15 percent of colleges and universities in America.

In 2006, Chapman won the XVth District American Advertising Federation NSAC competition and advanced to the National Finals. It competes in Division III athletics and holds numerous division titles.

Expansion

Chapman began a six-year construction program in 2001. Four new buildings––a fifth residence hall, a second music hall, a new library and an interfaith center––opened in 2004, adding over 140,000 square feet to the campus interior. Chapman also plans to double its national accreditation for academic programs from five to ten.

As of 2006, other recent campus expansion projects include the completion of the Marion Knott Studios home of the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the current construction of the Erin J. Lastinger Athletics Complex (which will feature a new football stadium, soccer field, aquatics center, and Olympic pool).

A new residence and dining facility (with 300 beds and a rock wall) is planned in the near future, as well as the conversion of the space between Beckman Hall and Leatherby Libraries into a central plaza with a fountain and amphitheatre.

Colleges and programs

• Argyros School of Business and Economics

• School of Education

• Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Knott Studios

• School of Law in Kennedy Hall
  • LL.M. in Taxation Program

• Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences
  • Pre-Med
  • Pre-Law
  • Communication

• College of Performing Arts
  • Conservatory of Music
  • School of the Arts
    • Dance
    • Theatre
    • Art

• Donald P. Kennedy Intercollegiate Athletic Program

• University College

School athletics

Participating in the NCAA's Division III Independent intercollegiate play, Chapman University's athletic program consists of 18 intercollegiate teams, and 3 club sports. The men's intercollegiate program competes in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and water polo. The women's program competes in basketball, crew, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo.

Chapman's baseball has won championships in 1968 (DII) and 2003, mens tennis in 1985, 1987, 1988 (all at the DII level), and softball in 1995 to combined for 6 NCAA national championships.

Club sports

Chapman has several men's club sports, including: crew, ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, and swimming.

Notable Chapman University alumni

• George Argyros - business executive, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, former owner of Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.
• David Bonior - U.S. Congressman from Michigan (1977-2003), House Minority Whip (1995-2002), House Majority Whip (1991-1995).
• Marty Castillo - retired Major League Baseball player and World Series Champion (1984).
• Randy Jones - former professional Baseball Player, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, 1976, Cy Young Award Winner.
• Steve Lavin - ESPN College Basketball Analyst, former head coach of UCLA men's basketball team (1996-2002).
• Loretta Sanchez - U.S. Congresswoman (1997-present).
• Jodie Sweetin - actress, portrayed Stephanie Tanner on the hit ABC sitcom Full House.
• Rick Francona - Military analyst, NBC News (2003-present)
• Sabrina Bryan - dancer, actress, singer, best known for being part of the girl band, The Cheetah Girls.
• Eric Lloyd - American actor, starred in The Santa Clause.
• Colin Hanks - Actor, son of American actor Tom Hanks.

Movies and television

Numerous movies have been filmed on or near Chapman's campus, including:

• Cool Runnings (1993)
• Forrest Gump (1994)
• The Next Karate Kid (1994)
• Crimson Tide (1995)
• That Thing You Do (1996)
• Big Momma's House (2000)
• Havoc (2000)
• Requiem for a Dream (2000)
• The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)

• The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
• Donnie Darko (2001)
• American Wedding (2003)
• First Daughter (2004)
• Surviving Christmas (2004)
• Bride and Prejudice (2004)
• Accepted (2006)

Also, various television shows have used Chapman's campus, including:

• Wishbone
• The West Wing
• Ghost Whisperer
• The Incredible Hulk

External links

• Official school website
• Official Athletics website
• Chapman University's Film School
• "Save Tony Garcia" Online Petition