Wednesday, August 30, 2023
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Feature by: Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
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Welcome back to “The Wallas” everyone! We are excited to start the new year and thrilled that each and every one of you is a part of this community. Each week on Wednesdays, you should expect to find a message or resource here related to advancing inclusive excellence at Whitman. In some weeks, the content will be useful information related to the activities of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Other weeks, the communication may be focused on a particular heritage month or upcoming program related to diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and/or accessibility (DEIAA) at the College. You will not want to miss Inclusive Excellence Wednesdays.
For this first missive of the year, I want to spotlight the Whitman “catch boxes.” Over the course of the year, at most large indoor gatherings, you will likely find a couple of cushioned cubed wireless microphones being tossed around. These catch boxes are not just a cool use of technology, but part of an intentional effort to provide inclusion and accessibility. Microphones are an important tool to amplify sound in large rooms so that more people have access to the content that is being shared. The microphone, ASL interpretation, as well as real-time captioning (also known as Communication Access Real-time Translation or CART) services, help to ensure that content is accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Using the microphone is not about whether or not you think you need to use it or want to use it, but is about community and universal design.
We recognize that some people have genuine discomfort related to using a microphone. Maybe they are uncomfortable speaking in public, don’t like the sound of their voice modified through the technology, or just feel confident in their ability to speak loudly without it and project. No matter the reason, as Emily Shuman succinctly explained in the Rocky Mountain ADA Center blog, if your intention is to be inclusive, “you must realize that your discomfort does not outweigh the accessibility benefits using the mic provides.” Emily goes on to explain that in addition to helping provide access to those with hearing limitations, “microphone amplification can also be helpful for people with attention disorders, audio processing disabilities or cognitive disabilities.” Using the microphone is an act of inclusion, while declining or refusing to use the microphone can contribute to the perpetuation of ableism and audism.
Read more.
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Michelle Janning Serving Visiting Professorship at UMN Morris
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While on sabbatical this academic year, Michelle Janning, the Raymond and Elsie DeBurgh Chair of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology, will spend the fall semester serving as Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota (UMN) Morris. She will teach a course in sociology of the family, give public lectures and consult with faculty.
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LGBTQIA+ Community Mixer on Friday
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LGBTQIA+ Student Services will host a fun and inclusive community mixer for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals and allies on Friday, Sept. 1 from 3–6 p.m. in the Cordiner Hall foyer. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the diverse LGBTQIA+ community Whitman College is continuing to build and support. (See attached flyer.) For questions or accommodations, email lgbtqia@whitman.edu.
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Outdoor Production of “Hamlet” on Saturday
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Summer Shakes, an annual outdoor Shakespeare play organized entirely by students, is happening this Saturday, Sept 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the Whitman Outdoor Amphitheatre. This year, the show will be “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.” Admission is free and open to all. Bring a picnic blanket and a friend and settle in for a great show!
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We are pleased to announce the availability of a dedicated lactation space on campus, open to the entire Whitman community. (See attached flyer.) This clean and private room is located on the first floor of Penrose Library and available during library hours. Ask for the key at the front desk.
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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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