Cholmondeley's Coffee House (Chum's)
Cholmondeley's (Chum's) is Brandeis' iconic student run coffee house, tucked away in the historic Usen Castle, named for a Black and Tan Coonhound belonging to the campus photographer Ralph Norman. Throughout its history, Cholmondeley's has played host to, among others, Tracy Chapman, the J. Geils Band, Joan Baez, and the first American performance of Genesis.
Winter/Spring 2021
Cholmondeley's is a unique and intimate space where Brandeis community members are welcome to come to study, relax, spend time with friends, and hold small study groups, meetings, or club events; all while maintaining safe distancing. Our friendly Chum's team members ensure that safety protocols are being followed.
Please note that the capacity of the Chum's is currently limited to 10 guests at a time. All attendees must bring their ID, wear face coverings at all times, and maintain safe distancing within the space. The Chum's menu is currently packaged beverages and is cash only. If consuming a beverage, you may pull down your mask to quickly take a drink, but do not fully remove it. This way, it can be most efficiently replaced over both your nose and mouth. Consuming food is not permitted at Chum's at this time.
Club Meet and Greet @ Chum's
Throughout the month of February, clubs will host 90-minute Meet and Greet sessions with potential new members and returning members at Cholmondeley's' Coffee House. Check out Cholmondeley's Event Schedule (below) to find out who is hosting an event and when.
Hosting Events@Chum's
We hope to return to hosting coffeehouse events, like poetry readings, theater and dance performances, stand-up comedy, a cappella, open-mic nights, and small concerts next year. In the meantime, if your club or organization is interested in hosting small, physically-distanced events, please submit your request using the Cholmondeley's Space Request Form (Spring 2021). Since Chum's capacity is currently limited to 10 people at a time, events should be scheduled to happen over a period of time that is long enough to accommodate the size of your anticipated attendance.
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Undergraduate Student Union recognized student clubs, Graduate Student Association (GSA) and International Business School clubs, and Brandeis University departments and programs may reserve Cholmondeley's for small-scaled events (limit 10 guests at one time) by submitting a Cholmondeley's Space Request Form - Capacity 10 (Spring 2021) at least three week's in advance. Cholmondeley's is not available for personal use or outside events.
Cholmondeley's charges a rental fee for each event. The fees are for services and equipment provided by Chum's, including set-up, basic audio-visual equipment operation, event monitoring, and clean-up. Student clubs and organizations must to pay the rental fee in advance. Cholmondeley's will email an invoice to clubs and Student Union Treasury. Graduate student clubs and university departments should arrange payment by emailing Leigh Hilderbrandt. Payment is due one week prior to the event.
All organizers from undergraduate student clubs who are planning to bring outside talent to perform at Cholmondeley's must attend an
Event Support Meeting (ESM) prior to submitting a space request from. Failure to attend an ESM and submit payment by the due date will result in the cancellation of the event reservation.
Event organizers may not charge admission for events; however, donations may be collected.
Fill out a Chum's space Request Form
Past Events
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Jack-Go-Lanterns: Pumpkin Carving@Chums
Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
Head over to the Pumpkin Fest: Pumpkin Grab-and-Go on the Great Lawn on Friday, October 30 from noon-4 p.m. then bring your pumpkin to Cholmondeley's to carve it! We'll provide the carving tools and Halloween snacks!
Kindness Day @Chum's
Celebrate Kindness Day All Week!
November 9-12, 11a.m.-9:30 p.m.
November 13-15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Join us any time between November 9th and 15th to craft creative notes for those you care about! Craft supplies and free snacks will be provided.
