Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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

 

Audre Lorde notes that “there is no such thing as a single issue struggle, because we do not live single issue lives.”

 

It is essential that we recognize that all of us have complex identities and both hold and are read by others as simultaneously belonging to a number of different social groups. We also understand that power is not evenly distributed across those groups and that particular social group identities are rarely centered and often regarded and treated as lesser. The National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC) is a vital part of the college’s antiracism efforts and a focus on the racial climate was and remains appropriate given our institution’s context and history. Results from the NACCC student survey can be found here. The NACCC, however, is focused on a single issue. 

 

The HEDS Diversity and Equity climate survey provides students with an opportunity to share information about the multiple identities they hold and their perceptions of the institutional environment. Do you perceive the environment as diverse? Is the institution doing enough to address ableism? Sexism? Racism? Classism? Antisemitism and Islamophobia? Do you perceive the environment as segregated? Have you experienced marginalization or exclusion based on some form of bias associated with an identity you hold or are perceived to hold? These are the types of questions posed in the HEDS Diversity and Equity survey.

 

Read more.

Noteworthy

Administrative Assistant for the Academic Resource Center Colette Marie, who recently earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Eastern Oregon University, published a poem in the November issue of "The Sun" magazine. The poem is titled "Five Months After My First Husband's Death."

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University is currently displaying work by Whitman Professor of Art Emerita Keiko Hara in an exhibition  titled "Keiko Hara: Four Decades of Paintings and Prints." A reception and book release event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 4-6 p.m. at the museum.

Reminder: President Sarah Bolton will hold an open forum for faculty and staff on Thursday, Nov. 10 in Maxey Auditorium. There will be two opportunities to attend in person, at 8 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. plus both sessions will be available to attend virtually (register in advance; the same registration form is used for both time slots). 

Sheehan Gallery and Maxey Museum will host the third Participants Panel for the collaborative exhibition "time | creature | portal | self" at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 in Olin Auditorium. President Sarah Bolton will serve as guest moderator for a discussion with Sheehan Gallery Exhibitions and Collections Manager Andrew Somoskey, and art professors M Acuff, Lisa Uddin and Amanda Leigh Evans. Refreshments and special show visits to follow.

The Outdoor Program, with the support of a DEIA Cultivation Grant, presents "Dismantling the Misconceptions of Disability with the Field of Outdoor Recreation" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 in Olin Hall 129. Speaker Nyles Asher is an outdoors enthusiast and disability advocate. Born missing his right leg, Asher had to learn how to find his footing in the great outdoors through passion and real-life experiences. The event is also available to attend virtually.

The Visiting Writers Series continues with a reading by author Karen Russell at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10 in Olin Auditorium. Russell's debut novel "Swamplandia!" was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and was chosen by The New York Times as one of the Ten Best Books of 2011. Her latest book, "Orange World," is a collection of short fiction, and in February 2023, her dance theater piece "The Night Falls" will premiere at Peak Performance.

Join the Friends Program on Saturday, Nov. 12 for Art Day at Edison Elementary. Activities will include painting a giant picture of Frida Kahlo, decorating posters, and more. Transportation will be provided for those who need it. Sign up for Art Day here and reach out to friends@whitman.edu with any questions.

Whitman College will host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Cordiner Hall. Standard doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the new bivalent booster (required for Whitman students, faculty and staff by Dec. 31) will be available. Pre-registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Please bring your vaccine card/record or visit waverify.doh.wa.gov to get a copy of your record sent to your phone.

Daily COVID-19 Update

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that since yesterday, no one 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 in the front entryway at the Welty Student Health Center during normal operating hours. 

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.

 

Previous issues of Whitman Today are archived on our website.