Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Feature by: Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

Whitman College is seeking nominations (including self-nominations) for individuals interested in serving on the Inclusive Excellence Council (IEC). Guided by a set of inclusive excellence principles and a charge from President Bolton, the IEC is a campuswide committee of individuals selected to help advance diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and accessibility (DEIAA) at Whitman. 

The IEC functions as an extension of the Division of Inclusive Excellence. Individuals selected to serve on the IEC form an institutional DEIAA brain trust, contributing to divisional and institutional efforts to advance inclusive excellence. The IEC convenes each month during the academic year for a two-hour full-committee meeting. Sub-committee meetings are also held monthly and those selected to serve should anticipate committing two hours each week to IEC-related activities.

IEC members contribute insights and guidance based on their lived experience or expertise, help address structural DEIAA awareness gaps, and inspire innovative approaches to advancing inclusive excellence at Whitman. The IEC does not function solely in an advisory capacity. The IEC is chaired by the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence (VPIE)and IEC members assist the Division of Inclusive Excellence, in whole or through subcommittees with: 

IEC members are approved by the President’s Cabinet and selected to serve one- or two-year terms.

Read more.

Ahead of scheduled events this week, please take a minute to refamiliarize yourself with the following sections from the Student Handbook on Students Rights and Responsibilities:

Use of buildings and grounds must not disturb regular college functions or approved activities, nor interfere with movement to and from activities or facilities. That means demonstrations are not permitted in administrative buildings if they interrupt the functions of the college.

It is not acceptable to harass someone in ways that disrupt their access to a positive environment at the college. This includes shouting identity-based obscenities, shouting in a way that is disruptive to college business, intimidation and forced participation.

Finally, please remember that signs, banners, posters, flags and the like should be displayed only in accordance with the college’s posting policy. Postings that do not adhere to policy guidelines will be removed. 

Students who violate college policies will proceed through the conduct process.

All members of the Whitman community are invited to attend one of two upcoming strategic planning feedback sessions for the “Connecting Whitman, Walla Walla and the World” strategic priority. These sessions will take place on Thursday, Feb. 29 and Friday, March 1 at noon in the Lizzie Murr Conference Room at Cleveland Commons. Lunch vouchers will be provided for the first 15 participants at each session.

Mark Letteney will deliver the Judd D. Kimball Endowed Lecture in Classics on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. in Olin 301. The lecture, titled “The Ancient Prison: Documents, Spaces, and Implications,” explores archaeological and papyrological evidence for incarceration across the ancient Mediterranean, and suggests implications for scholarly understandings of the Roman empire, histories of the prison and our current crisis of mass incarceration. (Flyer attached.)

The Outdoor Program is accepting applications for next fall’s weekend trip leader team. Trip leaders should be interested in providing welcoming, fun and well organized trips for Whitman students. No specific prior experience is required but all paid trip leaders must have at least basic first aid and CPR training. Learn more and apply on Compass. Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 6.

Looking for something to do over spring break? There are still spaces on two Outdoor Program backpacking trips in southern Utah. See Compass to register for the regular backpacking trip, or contact Stuart Chapin at chapins@whitman.edu to learn more about the other option, a backpacking leader training trip. Both trips start at the beginning of spring break and finish up on Sunday, March 17. There are also options to be dropped off in Salt Lake City or Boise.

Construction of a new baseball clubhouse, made possible by gifts through the Upward Together campaign, will soon be complete toward providing a home for the Blues and Walla Walla Sweets at Borleske Stadium. A dedication event will take place on Saturday, April 6 in conjunction with Whitman’s home baseball game against the University of Puget Sound.

Noon

Chats with Grads Lunch: Rayana Weller ’20

Reid Campus Center, Room 207

12:10–12:50 p.m.

Movement That Matters: Stretch & Strength

Sherwood Athletic Center

3–5 p.m.

Open Office Hours: Off-Campus Studies

Memorial Building, Room 205

4 p.m.

Information Session: Institute for Study Abroad

Olin Hall, Room 129

4:30 p.m.

Chats With Grads Talk: Rayana Weller ’20

Olin Hall, Room 233

4:30 p.m.

Dialogue & Dignity Series: Nonviolent Communication Presentation

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

4:30 p.m.

Z-Fit!

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114 (weather dependent)

7 p.m.

AI in the Workplace: Trina Soske ’83

Olin Auditorium

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

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