Wednesday, August 31, 2022

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

On my wall, there is a framed print by the artist Brije with four words creatively displayed: “More Us, More We.” A simple sentiment that encourages a focus beyond oneself and directs our attention to community. As we come together for the 2022-23 academic year, I want to encourage us to examine the balance between our own needs and those of our community. 

 

More Us, More We. 

 

Each Wednesday, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion will provide content for Whitman Today that is related to the work of the Division, the diversity of our community, and information to assist us in our efforts to grow and come together.

In the spring of 2021, we collected racial climate data from the students at Whitman by administering the National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates (NACCC). The study indicated that students of color at Whitman, on average, felt less safe, less welcome, and less included at the College than their white peers. Students of color reported being burdened to provide racial education to their fellow students and also perceived their classes, particularly those taught by white faculty, as not particularly diverse in terms of curricular content. 

 

More Us, More We. 

 

Heading into this year, we should all be thinking about what we can do, stop doing, and/or do differently in order to reduce the disparities revealed by the NACCC results. All of us have work to do. And it’s important that we call it out as work, because inclusive excellence is not achieved through kindness, niceness or colorblindness. Whitman’s core values include diversity, equity and inclusion. But we must practice diversity without dominance, equity without benevolence, inclusion without othering, and belonging without assimilation to be excellent. 

 

We are at a moment of transition. Since January of this year, five people have joined the Division of Diversity and Inclusion here at Whitman, with three of those individuals starting in July. One of the new staff in the Division is the College’s first ever Director of LGBTQIA+ Student Services. We also have a new President and I am thrilled to be working alongside Sarah Bolton to advance inclusive excellence at Whitman College. 

 

During this time of change, I would encourage us to pause and think about what each of us can do to build an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

 

More Us, More We.

 

Let’s go Blues!

 

This message from Dr. Johnson was edited for space. (read the full version)

Welcome New Faculty and Staff

In the past month, several title changes have gone into effect. Please note those within your department and congratulate those members of our community.

 

Please join us in welcoming the following new Whitman employees:

• Rainey Friedemann, admission events coordinator
• Greg Powell, director of security
• Wendy Angus, gift and data processing coordinator
• Nadir Ovcina, assistant director, off-campus studies
• Glen Naumann, environmental health and safety coordinator
• Bobbi-Jo Novakovich, administrative assistant, the health center
• Luke Ratliff, technical manager, Semester in the West
• Stace Sievert, associate director of student activities
• Kassandra Rodriguez, administrative assistant, facilities services
• Cherie Dearth, administrative assistant, alumni relations
• Sal Arellano, rental property maintenance assistant
• JoAnn Carmody, resident director, Stanton Hall
• Alyssa Ortiz, resident director, Interest House
• Makaya Resner, assistant director of admission (DEIA-focused)
• Liv Liponis, resident director, Jewett Hall
• Hannah McCarthy, resident director, Anderson Hall
• Chiffon Noble, resident director, Lyman Hall
• Bradley Nelson, internal communications strategist
• Anders Otterness, circulation supervisor, Penrose Library
• Niqo Bullock, associate director of student activities

If you are interested in representing your fellow staff members through serving on the Staff Benefits Committee, please email Peter Harvey. The first meeting regarding the 2023 renewals will be in late September. 

Weekdays:

• Monday-Friday: 7-9 a.m. and 12-1:30 p.m.
• Monday-Thursday: 8-10 p.m.

Weekends:

• Saturday-Sunday: 2-5 p.m.
• Sunday: 7-9 p.m.

A current Whitman ID is required to use Harvey Pool. Please check in with the lifeguards. Masks are currently required at all times, except while you are in the water.

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. That's awesome!

 

Please continue to follow all our campus COVID-19 protocols to help prevent transmission. Mask use will be required during the first couple of weeks of classes. 

 

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.