Chapman UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Chapman University. Core organization is free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Orange, CA. Operating on a semester system.

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

Free for all Chapman University students. No credit card required.

10K+

Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

12

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Trimester 2026

The semester, explained for Chapman University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Trimester 2026
Campus terms
21
Local details
15

Academic calendar

Fall Trimester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

32 entries
  1. Fall 2026 Term 1Fall 2026 Term 1 (7.5-week module)
  2. Fall Trimester 2026Relevant now
  3. Fall 2026 Term 2
  4. Interterm 2027
  5. Spring Trimester 2027
  6. Summer Session I (8 weeks) 2027Summer Session I 2027Summer Session I 2027 (8 weeks)
  7. 10-Week Summer Session 2027
  8. Summer Session II 2027
  9. Summer Session I 2027 (6 weeks)
  10. Summer Session II 2027 (9 weeks)
  11. Summer Session III 2027 (6 weeks)
  12. Summer Session IV 2027 (12 weeks)
  13. Summer Session II (8 weeks) 2027
  14. Summer Session III 2027 (6 weeks)
  15. Fall 2027 Term 1
  16. Fall Trimester 2027
  17. Fall 2027 Term 2
  18. Interterm 2028
  19. Spring Trimester 2028
  20. Summer Session I (8 weeks) 2028Summer Session I 2028Summer Session I 2028 (8 weeks)
  21. 10-Week Summer Session 2028
  22. Summer Session II 2028
  23. Summer Session I 2028 (6 weeks)
  24. Summer Session II 2028 (9 weeks)
  25. Summer Session IV 2028 (12 weeks)
  26. Summer Session II (8 weeks) 2028
  27. Summer Session III 2028 (6 weeks)

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

21 terms

C

Crean
Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.

D

Dodge
Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Chapman's renowned film school.
Dodge Kids
A common term for film students, known for spending long hours in Marion Knott Studios.

E

Einstein's
The Einstein Bros. Bagels location inside Argyros Forum.

G

Glass
Glass Hall, a residence hall located near the athletic facilities.

H

Henley
Henley Hall, a traditional-style freshman residence hall.

J

Jazzman's
Jazzman’s Brew Cafe located in Beckman Hall.

M

Morlan
Morlan Hall, divided into North Morlan and South Morlan residence wings.

P

Pralle
Pralle-Sodaro Hall, a freshman residence hall often paired with Henley in conversation.

Q

Qdoba
The Qdoba Mexican Eats outlet located in the Argyros Forum food court.

R

Rotunda
The Rotunda Cafe located on the first floor of the Leatherby Libraries.

S

Sandhu
Sandhu Residence Center, which houses students and contains the main dining hall.
Schmid
Schmid College of Science and Technology.
SGA
Student Government Association, the representative body for the student voice.

T

The Caf
Randall Dining Commons, the primary buffet-style dining hall located in Sandhu.
The Circle
Old Towne Orange Plaza, the historic traffic circle and shopping district adjacent to campus.
The K
The K Residence Hall, a newer apartment-style dorm for upperclassmen.
The Panther
The university's official student-run newspaper.
The Steps
The front steps of Memorial Hall, a popular meeting and photo spot.

U

Undie Run
A traditional student-organized run through the streets in underwear during finals week.
UPB
University Program Board, the student-led group that plans major campus events.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

15 details
AF
Argyros Forum, the central student union building containing food, mail, and offices.
Beckman
Beckman Hall, the main building for the Argyros School of Business and Economics.
Canvas
The digital learning management system where professors post syllabi, grades, and assignments.
Declining Balance
Meal plan credits specifically for use at on-campus dining locations like Qdoba or Einstein's.
einstein_bros_bagels
Einstein Bros Bagels
Keck
The Keck Center for Science and Engineering.
Leatherby
Leatherby Libraries, the main campus library.
Memorial
Memorial Hall, the historic administration building and auditorium.
MKS
Marion Knott Studios, the primary facility for Dodge College film students.
Panther Bucks
Funds added to a student ID that can be used at both on-campus and select off-campus vendors.
paws_cafe
Paws Cafe
randall_dining_commons
Randall Dining Commons
starbucks
Starbucks
The Shuttle
The transportation service connecting the main Orange campus to the Rinker campus and parking lots.
Virtual Permit
The parking system where your license plate acts as your permit, managed through the parking portal.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Trimester 2026 runs Aug 24, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
21 approved campus terms and 15 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Chapman University

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What we’ll email you about

  • Nov 15

    Spring Housing Application Priority Deadline

    Required · source

  • Jan 1

    Final Official Transcripts Due

    Recommended · source

  • Jan 15

    Student Health Record Submission

    Required · source

  • Jan 20

    Spring Tuition and Fees Payment

    Required · source

  • Feb 15

    Student Health Insurance Waiver

    Recommended · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Find a few communities to try at Chapman University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

8 mapped items from 6 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Cheerleading

Chapman's cheer squad, supporting athletic teams and competing at events.

Tryout required

Source: chapmanathletics.com · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Delta Tau Delta

An IFC fraternity committed to lives of excellence.

Invite only

Source: chapmandtd.com · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Equestrian

Club equestrian team for students interested in competitive horse riding.

Tryout required

Source: public campus page · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Gamma Phi Beta

A Panhellenic sorority founded upon a rock, promoting the highest type of womanhood.

Invite only

Source: chapmangammaphibeta.com · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Men's Lacrosse

Competitive men's lacrosse club team that competes against other universities.

Tryout required

Source: chapmanathletics.com · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Men's Volleyball

Club team for men's volleyball, competing with other collegiate club teams.

Tryout required

Source: chapmanathletics.com · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Campus rituals

Candle Lighting Ceremony

A moving tradition during Orientation that welcomes new students to the Chapman family, where alumni pass the 'Flame of Knowledge' to symbolize the enduring connection between past and present Panthers.

Drop in any time

Source: chapman.edu · Verified 1 month ago

Learn More

Using DormWay at Chapman University

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Syllabus to schedule

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Workload planning

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Free student access

Core organization is free for Chapman University students. Optional Pro tools are in development.

Chapman University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

12

Active Students

22

Syllabi Analyzed

18

Courses on DormWay

Browse all courses →

Popular Courses

Browse all →
Calculus IFrom Molecules to Cells: Evolution of Life on Earth (Gen Biol I)From MTV to Moscow: 1980s Protest MusicGeneral Chemistry IGeneral Chemistry I LaboratoryHuman DevelopmentIntroduction to Ethnic StudiesIntroduction to Film and Media Aesthetics, Lecture and Laboratory

DormWay integrates with Chapman University's LMS

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Canvas

Supported

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Life in Orange for Chapman University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Orange.

Timezone

Pacific Time (PT)

Median Rent

$2,327

Cost of Living Index

150

Student Population

11,000

City Transportation

Walkability

65

Bikeability

55

Public Transit

Metrolink Orange Station (Inland Empire–Orange County and Orange County Lines), OCTA bus system

Nearest Airports

John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB, regional access)

Climate Averages

Climate

Hot-summer Mediterranean

Avg Annual Temp

71.3°F

Avg Snowfall

0 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Anderson Structure

garage • Limited availability during weekdays; 50 designated visitor spaces on Level B1.

Underground parking located at 300 E. Walnut Ave.

Barrera Structure

garage • 25 designated visitor spaces on Level 1.

Located at 200 W. Sycamore Ave.

West Campus Structure

garage • Designated visitor parking on Level B1.

Located on the west side of campus near film studios.

Campus News

Latest updates from Chapman University

AI Enters Americans' Top 10 Fears in Chapman's 2026 Survey

The 12th annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears finds that artificial intelligence has become a primary concern for half of US adults.

Oct 20, 2026

Read More

Filmmaker Leah McKendrick '08 Returns to Chapman

Alumna Leah McKendrick visits campus to share professional lessons with students from the College of Performing Arts and Dodge College.

Oct 21, 2026

Read More

Chapman Early Applications Due November 1

Deadline for Early Action and Early Decision I applications for fall 2027 entry.

Oct 16, 2026

Read More

No Timely Warnings or Crime Alerts in the past 60 days.

No Timely Warnings or Crime Alerts in the past 60 days.

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Chapman University

Advising Fest

November 2, 2026

Orange Campus

Campus-wide event for academic advising and registration support.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

November 2, 2026

Orange Campus

A celebration of Dia de los Muertos on campus.

Master Class: Miles Teller

November 3, 2026

Folino Theater

A podcast recording and Master Class chat with actor Miles Teller and Scott Feinberg.

The Chapman Orchestra

November 6, 2026

Musco Center for the Arts

An evening of orchestral and symphonic works presented by The Chapman Orchestra.

University Wind Symphony

November 7, 2026

Musco Center for the Arts

A performance by the College of Performing Arts University Wind Symphony.

All-Choir Concert

November 12, 2026

Musco Center for the Arts

A collaborative concert featuring all university choirs.

Fall Faculty Dance Concert

November 19, 2026

Musco Center for the Arts

A showcase of new dance works choreographed by faculty members.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Chapman University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

12 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Chapman Court

Capacity: 800

Room types: Shared bedroom, Single bedroom

Chapman Grand

Room types: Shared bedroom, Single bedroom, Private unit

Davis and Harris Apartments

Room types: Shared bedroom, Single bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment

Davis Apartments

Room types: shared bedroom, single bedroom

Glass Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: Traditional room, Apartment

Harris Apartments

Room types: shared bedroom

Henley Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: not specified

Morlan Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: not specified

Panther Village

Room types: Shared studio double, Shared loft triple, Private unit, Shared apartment, Single apartment

Pralle-Sodaro Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: not specified

Sandhu Residence Center

Capacity: 250

Room types: Triple traditional room, Two-bedroom suite, Four-bedroom suite

The K Residence Hall

Room types: Two-person accommodation, Four-person accommodation, Shared studio bedroom, Shared bedroom

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@chapman.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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