Tuesday, November 15, 2022

The Division of Diversity and Inclusion invites nominations (including self-nominations) for the Inclusive Excellence Council (IEC). Guided by a charge from President Bolton, the IEC will function as a new campuswide committee with staff, faculty, student and alumni representation. We want to thank and honor those members of the Whitman community who previously served on WIDE, the Inclusion Task Force, and the 2017 DEI Strategic Planning implementation team. In the wake of pivotal national events, along with considerable changes to both the leadership of the college and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, as well as changes to the organization of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion, an updated framework for the collective diversity and inclusion work of the institution was necessary and warranted.

 

The Inclusive Excellence Council is expected to function as an extension of the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Individuals selected to serve on the IEC will form an institutional DEIA brain trust, contributing to divisional and institutional efforts to advance inclusive excellence. The IEC will convene each month during the academic year for a two-hour full-committee meeting. Sub-committee meetings will also be held monthly and those selected to serve should anticipate committing two-hours each week from their schedule for IEC-related activities.

 

Nominations, including self nominations, can be submitted through this form. Nominations received by 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 are assured consideration. 

 

Read more about expectations, committee structure and term length.

A Note from the Interfaith Chaplain:

In the wake of recent tragedies at University of Virginia and University of Idaho, we are reminded that violence can occur in any community. And, as part of the broader collective of higher education, we can especially imagine the shock and heartache that takes place when these acts occur on college campuses. How such news might affect members of the Whitman Community will vary, and the stresses of the semester feel very real to many right now. Please take care of yourselves and each other. Tap into your support systems, and consider ways to send energies of compassion and healing to those who might be suffering loss. And, as always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you'd like to be in conversation.

 

Peace to you,

 

Adam Kirtley

Interfaith Chaplain

Additional Resources:

• Uwill (free tele-health counseling)
• Charlotte Scott, Whitman care coordinator

Whitman College will host a COVID-19 vaccination and booster clinic from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in Cordiner Hall. 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.

Looking for a good book to read over Thanksgiving break? Penrose Library student workers and staff put together their recommendations. Look for a display on the short stacks by the circulation desk. You can also always search Sherlock to find books in the library collections or browse the popular literature collection for recent titles in the DVD alcove on the main floor.

If you are in need of a ride to Seattle, Portland, Pasco or Walla Walla airports for Thanksgiving break, visit the Reid Campus Center Office (Room 202) to check availability on the scheduled Whitman shuttles (departing on Friday, Nov. 18 and returning Sunday, Nov. 27). Fees apply. Space is limited. For other ride-share options, use the rides@whitman.edu email listserv.

Join Whitman students and alumni for the winter break Whitties Helping Whitties events coming to Bellevue, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco! Keep an eye out for invitations and more information. Registration for the events opens Monday, Nov. 28.

• Bellevue, Washington - Sunday, January 8, 2 p.m.
• Seattle, Washington - Monday, January 9, 5:30 p.m.
• Portland, Oregon - Tuesday, January 10, 5:30 p.m.
• San Francisco, California - Thursday, January 12, 7 p.m.

Questions? Reach out to the CCEC at ccec_info@whitman.edu. 

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.