Wednesday, May 4, 2022

“We are at a time in our lives that requires us to speak up and act up for what is in our best interest, and to refuse to be apologetic in demanding positive change to our current political, governmental, and educational environments.” These are the words of Ibrahim Ali, president of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE), which, for the past 35 years, has been bringing together faculty, staff and students from across the country who are engaged in efforts to educate, advance and advocate for Asian Pacific Americans in higher education. Last month, hundreds of folks gathered in Long Beach, California, for APAHE's annual conference.

 

The APAHE conference in April is followed each year by Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. We understand there’s a lot going on right now. Reproductive rights are at risk. Nations are in conflict. Viruses are spreading and mutating. And everyone is running headlong into the end of the semester. It may be that more of us are feeling exhausted than triumphant. But as we prepare for final exams and grading, and lean into institutional transitions, and prepare to celebrate our graduates at Commencement, we may want to pause.

 

Pause to appreciate the outstanding contributions of Asian Pacific Americans throughout history.

 

Pause to recognize the continuing injustices faced by the Asian Pacific American community.

 

Pause to reflect on the diversity, complexity, and abundance of Asian Pacific American culture.

 

Pause and consider President Ali’s words, and remember that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Library Thesis Workshop Today

We’re officially one week out from honors theses being due to the library! Today at 4 p.m. in the CTL/Library Classroom, library staff will host a session on what you need to know about submitting your thesis, with workshop time to start formatting and printing the necessary forms to get signed.

 

If your thesis status is still in limbo, you can still attend to start familiarizing yourself with the requirements and beginning to format your thesis so that you are ready to submit once you find out.

 

For all things thesis, check out the thesis libguide. Librarians will be available throughout the next week to help you with formatting and submitting your thesis.

Join President Kathy Murray, Whitman Board of Trustees Chair Joe Davis and Christian Wallace-Bailey, student representative to the Board, for the final open office hours of the semester today at 4 p.m. in Cleveland Coffee House. Take this opportunity to share your questions, comments and concerns ahead of this week’s Board meeting.

Come kick it! Sign up now for a morning youth camp or an afternoon high school striker/keeper camp running from June 20–23 at the Whitman Athletic Fields. Both camps will be coached by Whitman women’s soccer staff Georgia Cloepfil and Michelle Voiland and will be focused on fun and development. Sign up online or email cloepfig@whitman.edu with any questions. 

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that in the past 24 hours, one person with Whitman access was confirmed positive for COVID-19. This person is now in isolation in accordance with our campus and CDC guidelines. 

 

The risk of viral spread is lower for people who are properly masked and following social gathering restrictions. Please continue to follow all our campus COVID-19 protocols to help prevent transmission.

 

If you have any symptoms that may be COVID-19 or know that you may have been exposed to coronavirus, please be tested. Employees should email Human Resources (hr@whitman.edu) to schedule a test. Students can be tested at the back door of Welty from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 2:30–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and home test kits are available on the weekend from Residence Life staff or Security (509-527-5777).

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. 

 

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