Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Photo: International students took a trip to Palouse Falls in March.

 

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion has been actively contributing to institutional efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism at the college. The following is a brief excerpt of highlights from the full update, which is available online.

 

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

ISSS is currently working with approximately 50 new students from the incoming class of 2026. ISSS helps admitted international students understand the process to secure a student visa. The ISSS director recently hired several Whitman students who will assist with International Student Orientation, scheduled for August 19, 2022. (Interesting fact: Whitman has enrolled international students from 98 different countries since it began enrolling international students. With the first student from Poland joining us in Fall 2022, we are at 99 countries! Three digits next year for sure, right Admissions?)

 

Equity and Compliance

Over the course of the Spring 2021 semester, the Office of Equity and Compliance received a total of 12 reports of bias incidents and sexual misconduct. Eleven of the incidents occurred in locations or programs within Whitman College’s jurisdiction.  Informal grievance resolution was the most common mode of closure for all reports and a small portion have moved into Formal Resolution which includes an investigation for which the final outcome has yet to be determined. The final outcomes for all reports range from no-contact directives, consent education and employee reprimand.

 

Religious and Spiritual Life (RSL)

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life reports a marked increase in the number of students on campus who ascribe to a particular religious identity, or who are expressing interest in exploring spirituality. While college students are known to report higher levels of interest in engaging life’s most enigmatic questions regarding meaning and purpose, this is perhaps especially true in the wake of a pandemic. Religious and spiritual groups at Whitman have been particularly active the last couple of months.

 

Intercultural Center

The Inclusion Fellows affiliated with the Intercultural Center have continued to provide support and services to the Whitman community. The fellows organized a celebration for graduating seniors at the GAC and distributed stoles and cords to graduating students affiliated with the center. The fellows have also been engaged with the multiple searches happening to recruit staff for the Division. Engaging with the current crew of fellows is a formal part of searches and the student staff are evaluating the candidates and providing feedback to the search committees.

 

Division of Diversity and Inclusion

The Division has been coordinating several staff searches this semester. The search for the new Director of the Intercultural Center is nearing completion and the Division recently hired a new Director for LGBTQIA+ Student Services. Finalist candidates for the Division’s new DEIA Program Coordinator position are being interviewed this week. 

 

Read the full update.

Director of Security Hired

We are pleased to announce that Gregory Powell has been hired as Whitman’s next Director of Security. Powell has over 25 years of experience in higher education and public safety, most recently as Interim Chief of Security for the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.

 

Powell says, “I believe a public safety career is built upon trust, integrity, honesty and community; therefore self-reflection, open conversation and community involvement in every aspect of our daily operations is the foundation upon which I lead.”

 

Powell will be moving to Walla Walla this summer and begin his position on Aug. 1, 2022.

5th Element Project Opens The Get Down

5th Element Project is a hip-hop education and culture project developed through Mellon dollars designated for Community Engaged Learning and Research Initiatives. 5th Element Project is supported by partnerships with Walla Walla Music Organization, Soul Felons, Whitman College Department of Theater and Dance, Whitman College and 206 Zulu.

 

5th Element Project’s new hip-hop event series, The Get Down, launches this Saturday, May 21, from 1–5 p.m. at Washington Park.

 

Learn more.

In accordance with Washington state Labor & Industries employer requirements, we are notifying the campus community that in the past 24 hours, seven people with Whitman access were confirmed positive for COVID-19. These people are 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 a.m.–11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.–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).

“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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