President Barack Obama officially took office on Jan. 20, 2009.  

Whitman students rallied in celebration of Obama’s election night victory, but, given his recent presidential actions, it remains to be seen if the same sentiments persist.

The following are several campus leaders’ takes on the new administration in light of their club’s semester goals.

The following are several campus leaders’ takes on the new administration in light of their club’s semester goals.  

Campus Greens  

Campus Greens is an environmental organization that sponsors other environmental groups on campus including Campus Climate Challenge and the Water, Compost and Paper Campaigns.  

The head of Campus Greens, sophomore Donald Clarke, said of Obama:

“As far as his environmental policies are concerned, it will certainly affect us, but in the short term, Obama’s effect on the Whitman students will be more motivational… Ever since the election, there’s been more interest in green activities on campus. More people have said they want to be involved.”

This semester Campus Greens hopes to work with the Walla Walla rotary to plant more trees, to help plan the renovations of Olin and Maxey Halls and to install dorm monitors digitally displaying dorm water and electricity use.

Whitman College Young Democrats

The Whitman College Young Democrats is a group of liberal and moderate Democrats open to all students interested in discussing and supporting the Democratic Party in Walla Walla and Washington State.

Head of Young Democrats, sophomore Clara Van Eck said:

 “National based organizations are becoming community based, which is incredibly cool and I don’t think it’s ever happened in our history. These were set up to elect Obama in the first place and now they are still present within the community.”  

The Young Democrats plan to host a Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in March, to have a fundraiser for the Iraq War Memorial, and to raise money to travel to Washington, D.C. in March.

Whitman Civil Liberties Union

WCLU promotes civil liberties among Whitman students, faculty and staff and takes action to further this purpose as is consistent with the policies and regulations of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State.  

Junior Kelli Kuhlman, president of the WCLU said:  

“This is a very exciting time for the WCLU. One of our main goals has been the closure of Guantanamo Bay.”

The WCLU also supports Obama’s actions creating the Freedom of Information act, rescinding the Abortion Gag Rule, banning any international funding that supported abortion or Pro-Choice organizations internationally, and the Equal Pay Act, which gives equal pay to both men and women.  

However, Kuhlman said, “Obama has not yet addressed certain issues that the ACLU feels very strongly about, like gay rights – Obama supports everything, but marriage… Immigration rights will be interesting, because he does support continued government programs, but believe in increased border security.”

Feminists Advocating Changeand Empowerment (FACE)

FACE advocates for issues of gender equality on the campus, local, state, and national levels.  

Head of FACE, sophomore McKenna Milici, said:

“The most exciting thing about Obama’s take on women’s issues is his recognition that the fight isn’t over. The most encouraging thing I see in his policies is his stance on promoting funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education – which means both abstinence and safe sex methods.”

FACE’s major event of the semester is the upcoming Vagina Monologues, performed February 27-March 1.