Wednesday, October 5, 2022

From Adam Kirtley, interfaith chaplain:

Today is Yom Kippur, the most solemn religious holy day of the Jewish year, the last of the ten days of penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Also known as the Day of Atonement, many Jews will take steps to restore their relationship with God and with others they may have wronged or harmed in the past year.  

 

While extending an apology is an important part of all relationships, the Jewish tradition centers forgiveness-seeking during the high holy days in ways that speak to the importance of authentic, non-performative acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

 

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Looking Towards Indigenous Peoples' Day

 

From Dr. John Johnson, vice president for diversity and inclusion:

 

Four-Day is approaching. A valuable mid-semester break not available at most colleges, Four-Day allows time for processing and reflection, and opportunities to catch up on work or catch up on rest. Sleep debt is real y’all. As we head into this extended weekend, we want to remind everyone that when we return to campus on Monday it will be Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day calls on us to acknowledge the history and original stewards of the land and also serves as an important reminder of our individual relationships to the land. 

This past spring, the college partnered with indigenous leaders to erect a Long Tent on Ankeny Field. The Long Tent was a symbol to counter indigenous erasure and provided a space for learning from Native elders and experts. The Long Tent also represented, as one participant put it, “a commitment to tribal sovereignty.” 

 

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LGBTQIA+ Student Services will present a series of Queer Ally Coalition (QuAC) workshops open to all faculty, staff and students who do not identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. Attendees will learn how allies can help combat gender and sexual orientation discrimination at Whitman. Workshops will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 5, Monday, Oct. 10, Wednesday, Oct. 19, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 2-4 p.m. in Memorial Hall 331. Participants who attend the full series of workshops will be QuAC-certified by the end of the academic year and will be given a sticker to display in their workspace. For questions or accommodations, email LGBTQIA+ Student Services.

In light of the October break, Sherwood Athletic Center will have modified hours this weekend:

• Thursday - normal operating hours
• Friday - limited access, closed at 4 p.m. for the volleyball game at 7 p.m.
• Saturday - closed except for the volleyball game at 6 p.m.
• Sunday - normal operating hours

The multi-purpose gym floor will be closed for maintenance from today through Friday, Oct. 14.

 

The Climbing Center will be closed Thursday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 9.

The Welty Student Health Center has a new email address for questions, concerns, and general communications: healthcenter@whitman.edu. Students are also encouraged to use this new email address for reporting COVID test results. 

Daily COVID-19 Update

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that since yesterday, nobody with Whitman access was confirmed positive for COVID-19.

 

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. Additional masks and rapid test kits are available 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Welty Student Health Center. 

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. 

 

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 should be 125 words or less. The deadline is 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.

 

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