Thursday, August 17, 2023
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Diversity and Inclusion Update
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Feature by: Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
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Greetings colleagues,
Last fall, through a multi-unit collaboration, we were able to open the new All Faiths Room in Reid Campus Center. That space elevated the visibility of Religious and Spiritual Life on campus and serves as the site for significant programs and practices on campus. In the summer of 2022, we also established a Director-level position for LGBTQIA+ Student Services at Whitman. Approximately 30% of Whitman students identify as LGBTQIA+ and it was important to ensure that this population is appropriately supported and resourced. The Lavender Graduation celebration this past May, the first of its kind, is one example of the important expansion of services this new position provides.
We continue to seek ways to enhance and improve on the quality of services and support we provide to Whitman students and the broader campus community. During the last academic year, we formed an ad hoc committee of students to advise staff on the interior design of the Third Space Center. Scheduled to open in January 2024, the repurposed campus rental property will feature an interior intentionally designed to affirm the identities and cultures of students of color.
With the start of the fall semester fast approaching, we wanted to share an important update with the campus community. As many of you know, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) has merged with Off-Campus Studies. As a result, our ISSS staff have relocated from the Glover Alston Center (GAC) to the Memorial Building. The transition of ISSS, along with the impending launch of the Third Space Center, provides us with an opportunity to reestablish the GAC as a dynamic and collaborative solidarity space where students across a range of identities can gather to learn about each other and build networks of support and coalitions.
Read more.
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While COVID-19 cases remained low in Washington state this summer, there has been a slight uptick in infections in recent weeks. As a reminder, the following mitigation measures are still available to members of the Whitman community.
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- The Welty Health Center will provide free symptomatic testing and masks to students, faculty and staff.
- Students testing positive for COVID-19 should notify the Welty Health Center and their professors. However, the college will not be contact tracing during the fall 2023 semester.
- Faculty and staff may still require masks in their classes or office spaces.
- Whitman College will still provide students with isolation rooms when needed and will follow the isolation recommendations put forth by the CDC.
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Please take the time to read more about fall semester protocols on our website.
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Updated Post Office Hours Next Week
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In order to prepare for the arrival of incoming students, the Reid Campus Center Post Office will have adjusted hours and availability next week as follows:
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- Monday: Closed (campus mail will still be delivered)
- Tuesday: Closed (campus mail will still be delivered)
- Wednesday: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (no campus mail deliveries)
- Thursday–Friday: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Updated Bon Appétit Hours Next Week
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Bon Appétit campus locations will be closed until students begin arriving on Wednesday, August 23. Open week hours will be as follows (see attached flyer):
Cleveland Commons:
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- Cleveland Espresso: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Breakfast (Wednesday–Friday): 7:30–9:30 a.m.
- Brunch (Saturday–Sunday): 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Lunch (Wednesday–Friday): 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 5–7 p.m.
- Late Night(Grill, Comfort, Salad): 7–8 p.m.
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- Wednesday–Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday–Sunday: 4–11 p.m.
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- Opens on Monday, August 28: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Southeast Washington is under an Excessive Heat Warning this week. Please take extra precautions. If you need an air-conditioned location to cool down today or tomorrow, consider the following options:
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- Reid Campus Center: Open 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Jewett Café: Open 24 hours for students living in residence halls over the summer.
- Glover Alston Center: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Premera Info: In-Network vs. Out-of-Network
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Employees: Do you ever wonder about the difference between in-network and out-of-network healthcare providers under Premera? Watch this video Q&A to learn more and hear answers to commonly-asked questions.
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Lots of preparation happening on campus this week to get ready for Opening Day on Wednesday. It’s not too late to sign up to help! More volunteers are needed for traffic control and move-in assistance.
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Thursday (new international students arrive on campus)
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Friday (student-athletes arrive on campus)
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students.
All submissions are welcome! If you have accomplishments to celebrate, an event to publicize or other content to share with the Whitman community, email whitmantoday@whitman.edu. Submissions of 125 words or less are due by noon for the following day’s newsletter. Submissions may be edited and/or held for a later date according to space and editorial needs. Your submission also authorizes use on Whitman's social media unless otherwise specified.
Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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