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Chatham Aims For Cancer-Free Campus, University President Says

Because of Chatham University’s commitment to a healthy campus, President Esther L. Barazzone participated on a panel in Washington, D.C. as part of National Cancer Prevention Day.

Barazzone said everything from their fields of study to their campus deals with lessening cancer.

The biggest project that Chatham is currently working on will be to build their new campus and make it cancer free.

“We were very happy to be invited [to National Cancer Prevention Day] in recognition of how significant something like our project to build our new campus at Eden Hall is to the prevention of cancer by creating a healthy environment,” Barazzone said.

The goal for the building is to be self-sustaining by emitting zero carbon emissions; managing all storm and waste water on-site; and, producing more energy than it consumes. Eden Hall will also be constructed with zero carcinogens, and all of the farming will be done without harmful pesticides or chemicals.

One of the other plans for Chatham is to make their campus smoke free. Barazzone believes this will be another big step for preventing cancer on their campus.

Barazzone said their fields of study also show Chatham’s commitment to making the school healthy.

“The academic programs that we have created, in the health sciences and in food studies and in sustainability, are all very aware of trying to make this world a healthier place, especially healthier in terms of freedom from cancer,” said Barazzone.

Barazzone said ultimately she learned a lot by attending the National Cancer.

“We all got a sense of the scope of things that could be done to make the world a healthier place … and I think it was an effective call to action for a lot of people,” she said.

Jess was accepted as a WESA fellow in the news department in January 2014. The Erie, PA native attends Duquesne University where she has a double major--broadcast journalism and political science. Following her anticipated graduation in May 2015, she plans to enter law school or begin a career in broadcast journalism.