Wednesday, March 9, 2022

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion has been actively contributing to institutional efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism at the college. Here’s a brief update highlighting some activities this spring. A fuller report is available online.

 

Office for Religious and Spiritual Life

In addition to working closely with the faith communities on campus to plan their busy season of religious holidays this spring, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is looking to connect students to important off-campus resources as well, including the Islamic Center in Richland, a Zen monastery on Whidbey Island and an interfaith student conference.

 

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Following the recent relaxation of COVID-19 policies, ISSS resumed weekly group meetings with international students (including three who are new this semester) at 4 p.m. every Thursday at the Glover Alston Center. Administrative support is currently underway to help verify student health insurance eligibility, complete the U.S. income tax process and improve access to internships.

 

Intercultural Center (IC)

The search for a new Director for the IC is underway, with the hope of filling that position before the spring semester ends. The team of student Inclusion Fellows continue to support student communities and staff the IC, and many were also active participants in this year's Power & Privilege Symposium.

 

Division of Diversity and Inclusion

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion welcomed two new teammates, Natasha Blake as the executive assistant to the vice president and Cassandre Beccai as the director of equity and compliance/Title IX coordinator. The division was also approved to add two new positions and will begin the process of recruiting a director of LGBTQIA+ student services and a DEIA program coordinator in the weeks ahead, with anticipated start dates in early July 2022.

Welty Schedule Change

Beginning March 28, Welty Student Health Center will offer walk-in appointments with nurses (for non-COVID-related reasons) from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. daily. You must still call 509-527-5295 in advance to schedule morning appointments with nurses or to schedule physician appointments. COVID-19 testing will continue to take place without an appointment from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the back door of Welty.

The Whitman Undergraduate Conference—scheduled for April 12, 2022—is recruiting 5-10 student coaches to work with presenters. The coaches will:

• Sign up to help with just one panel or up to four ( approximately 6–24 hours of work total between March 28 and April 12).
• Receive coach training from skilled CCEC staff.
• Assist participants in planning high-quality presentations.
• Moderate a panel (or more than one!) on April 12.

Apply on Handshake! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Send questions to Director of Fellowships and Grants Jess Hernandez (hernand2@whitman.edu) or Fellowships and Grants Administrative Assistant Jenny Stratton (strattjm@whitman.edu).

Do you love getting involved with the Walla Walla community?
Are you passionate about any of the following: diversity, equity and inclusion; the Adopt a Grandparent Program; the Buddy Program; the Food Justice Project; the Storytime Program; the Whitman Friends Program; data and research; or professional development? Apply to be a leader! Read all the job descriptions and submit your application on Handshake. Keep in mind, the qualifications listed are preferred, not required. You only need a resume and a cover letter to apply. There are opportunities to be a program leader, who coordinates all our student-led CE programs, or an executive leader, who helps with the bigger picture of CE development. 

Positive COVID-19 cases in our campus community are noted in Whitman Today in compliance with state regulations. We also update the data in our COVID-19 Dashboard every Monday.

 

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that in the past 24 hours, a person with Whitman access was confirmed positive for COVID-19. This person is now in isolation in accordance with our campus and CDC guidelines. Though the likelihood of transmission is low due to our campus COVID-19 protocols, it is possible that others may have been exposed to COVID-19. There is nothing you need to do at this time aside from following our campus COVID-19 protocols. Anyone identified through the contact tracing process as a close contact (within 6 ft. for at least 15 minutes over 24 hours) will be personally notified. 

Have an event you'd like to share with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students. All times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time. 

 

Submissions are welcome! If you have a professional or personal accomplishment to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions should be 125 words or less. The deadline for submissions is noon for the following day's newsletter, though submissions may be held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. By submitting to Whitman Today you also authorize use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.

 

Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.