Wednesday, February 14, 2024
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Applications Open for DEIA Cultivation Grants and ERGs
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Feature by: Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
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Photo: A previous DEIA Cultivation Grant helped to fund bringing cultural anthropologist Anthony Kwame Harrison to campus for a talk titled “Musical Inclusion and the Unheard Terms of DEI Work.”
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The Inclusive Excellence Council is accepting applications for DEIA Cultivation Grants. DEIA Cultivation Grants are designed to support projects, programs, or events that advance diversity, equity, inclusion or antiracism (DEIA) at the college. Any member of the Whitman community can apply for a DEIA Cultivation Grant. Preference is given to projects that are innovative and enhance rather than duplicate existing college practices, we also prioritize proposals for projects that center the needs of historically marginalized communities, improve the campus racial climate, and encourage collaborative applications involving co-leads from different constituency groups (e.g. staff and faculty). Awards are capped at $3,000 and the grant application is open through Friday, March 8.
The Division of Inclusive Excellence, in collaboration with Human Resources, is prepared to formally sponsor a number of Employee Resource Groups (ERG). ERGs are voluntary organizations in the tradition of student affinity groups that emerge on campus and engage in activities intended to contribute to the well-being, success and retention of their peers. ERGs are common among Fortune 500 companies and have a presence at other NW5C institutions. We believe ERGs can make a meaningful contribution to the Whitman community and employee experience. A pilot ERG operated in spring of 2023 with funding provided through a DEIA Cultivation Grant. The success and impact of that program prompted the development of an expanded structure to support ERGs on the campus.
Approved ERGs will be formally recognized entities and receive institutional sponsorship to support their activities (up to $2,500/year). Both exempt and nonexempt employees can participate in ERG activities during the work day (with supervisor approval) for an hour each week without penalty or loss of compensation. Any approved ERG must be open to all employees of Whitman College, but an ERG can be focused on the needs, concerns, interests of a particular cultural community (e.g. disabled, LGBTQIA2S+, Latine, Muslim, veterans, etc.) or themed around a shared interest (knitting, gaming, outdoor adventure, etc.). A minimum of five members are needed to establish an ERG at Whitman and ERGs are expected to support groups of employees across, rather than within, specific campus roles or functional areas (e.g. Disabled Staff and Faculty).
To learn more about ERGs or to submit an application to establish an ERG at Whitman, visit the Employee Resource Group page on the website.
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Senior Wins State Title in Debate Tournament
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At the recent 51st Annual Dugaw Smelt Classic debate and forensics tournament held in Longview, Washington, Sueli Gwiazdowski ’24 took home the state title in After Dinner Speaking. This is the Whitman team’s first championship win since the team was reinstated in 2018.
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Police Training on Campus Tomorrow
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Please note that the Walla Walla Police Department will be conducting training at Marcus House on Thursday, Feb. 15. If you have any questions or concerns, contact security@whitman.edu.
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Strategic Planning Feedback Sessions This Week
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All members of the Whitman community are invited to attend one of two upcoming strategic planning feedback sessions for the “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-racism and Access” strategic priority. These sessions will take place on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 16 from noon–1 p.m. in the Lizzie Murr Conference Room at Cleveland Commons. Lunch vouchers will be provided for the first 15 participants at each session.
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Together24 Seeks Art Submissions
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The Community Change Team will host its second annual community event, Together24, on Saturday, March 2 in the Reid Campus Center. Together24 will showcase artwork in a variety of mediums exploring the theme of addiction. Any member of the Whitman community may submit artwork for this event. Submissions are due by Monday, Feb. 26. (Flyer attached.) Questions? Email Simone Calero ’24.
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Apply for the Ben Rabinowitz Award
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The $3,000 Ben Rabinowitz Award assists students with demonstrated leadership skills who wish to implement new projects or learning opportunities that promote compassion in medicine or politics and enrich the campus community. Learn more online, then submit your application to Noah Leavitt, Co-Director for the Career and Community Engagement Center for External Affairs. All applications are due Monday, March 4 at noon.
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The Sheehan Gallery and the Film & Media Studies Department present a new exhibit titled “HYPERSPATIAL: Comics & Character in the Fourth Dimension.” Sheehan Gallery is open Tuesday–Friday from noon–5 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday from noon–4 p.m.
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Dialogue & Dignity Session with Student Life and Other Student-facing Offices
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Memorial Building, Room 331
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Dialogue & Dignity Luncheon: “How Islamophobia Hits Home at Whitman: A Conversation About Belonging & Healthy Conflict”
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Memorial Building, Room 331
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Reid Campus Center, Room 207
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Dialogue & Dignity Open Office Hours With Edina Leković
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Memorial Building, Room 326
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Memorial Building, Room 205
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Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room
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Weekly Writing Group: Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
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Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114 (weather dependent)
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Reid Campus Center, Basement
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Reid Campus Center, Room G02
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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“Whitman Today” is produced by the Office of Communications and is emailed Monday through Friday to Whitman College staff, faculty and students.
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 of 125 words or less are due by 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.
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Find us on social media: @whitmancollege
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