Wednesday, September 14, 2022

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

 

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion is pleased to invite applications for 2022-23 DEIA Cultivation Grants. DEIA Cultivation Grants are intended to support projects, programs, events and initiatives that Whitman community members (students, staff and faculty) are coordinating or pursuing that advance diversity, equity, inclusion or antiracism (DEIA) efforts at the college. Funds may be used to carry out an already designed project, to help cover the costs associated with an event, to compensate invited speakers, artists, or performers, to pay for a student assistant or to travel to a conference, among other possibilities.

 

All grant applications must clearly articulate how the funds will be used to advance DEIA at Whitman. Preference will be given to projects that are innovative and enhance rather than duplicate existing college practices, we will also prioritize applications that center the needs of historically marginalized communities, proposals that improve the campus racial climate, and collaborative applications involving co-leads from multiple constituent groups (e.g. staff and students). DEIA Cultivation Grant amounts can range from $500 to as much as $3,000. The total number of awards will be determined based on the requested amounts. 

 

Applications for fall funding will be accepted through September 30 with award notifications October 12. Applications for Spring 2023 awards will open in November of 2022. To apply for a DEIA Cultivation Grant, fill out this online form.

Noteworthy

Baker Ferguson Professor of Politics and Leadership Emeritus Timothy Kaufman-Osborn published an essay titled “Lawyers, Guns and Autonomy” in the September 12 issue of Inside Higher Ed. The essay examines the recent push on the part of Republican-dominated legislatures to void policies that prohibit firearms on campuses, and the antidemocratic implications of a recent Montana supreme court ruling that upheld the authority of that state's board of regents to adopt and enforce such a policy.

Craft Your Future Workshops will begin with a workshop on Personal Statements with Dr. Jess Hernandez, today at 4:30 p.m. in Reid Campus Center G-02. Learn what personal statements are, when to use one, and what to include in yours. This is great preparation for students interested in applying to graduate school, fellowships and grants.

All members of the Whitman community should participate in one of this year's hourlong emergency preparedness training sessions, today or tomorrow in Maxey Auditorium. Each training session (10 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.) will be identical and will cover important information to help students, faculty and staff prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Students! Are you worried about the price of printing? Concerned that you might need more than your $35 allotment? Did you know that you can request more at any time? Read the Frequently Asked Printing Questions for answers to more of your questions.

In the Safer Than Words therapy group, students move between visual art, music, dance/movement, drama and expressive writing to honor their capacity for resilience and personal strength. The group meets Saturdays from 1-2:30 p.m. between Sept. 17 and Nov. 12, in the Dance Studio at 16 Boyer Avenue.

 

In the DBT Skills Group, students will learn skills from dialectical behavioral therapy including: self awareness, tolerating distress, emotion regulation and maintaining satisfying relationships. The group meets Fridays from 3-4:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 23 in Maxey 108. Questions? Contact Counselor Nichole Vernon.

Daily COVID-19 Update

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that since yesterday, eight people with Whitman access were 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. 

 

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.