Family Weekend, coming up Oct. 23 through Oct. 25, is an opportunity for students to see their families and for families to get a glimpse of the student’s life at Whitman.
But changes in campus life: made to enhance the perception families will have: raise some students’ eyebrows. One change in particular that catches students’ attention is the improved food in the dining hall.
“It’s always better for Family Weekend and for prospective students day,” said senior Karina Kidd.
Roger Edens, general manager for Bon Appétit, denies that there are any changes in food quality for Family Weekend.
“The food’s the food. Other than making sure we have enough we don’t do anything different,” he said.
He attributed the positive response parents may have to the food to the superiority of Whitman’s dining hall food services compared to other colleges.
“It’s just so bad everywhere else,” Eden said.
Prentiss and Jewett dining halls will be open to parents. The schedule for parents invites them to “enjoy their student’s dining experience.” On Saturday Whitman is subsidizing brunch so that family members can eat for only five dollars and both Prentiss and Jewett will be serving brunch because of the high demand. Dinner will also be available for parents, subsidized for only seven dollars.
Nancy Tavelli, director of residence life and housing, coordinates Family Weekend each year. She explained that while food may be at the forefront of many student’s minds, there is much more to Family Weekend.
“The intent is for families, campus, students and parents to interact in a positive way,” she said.
Tavelli also rejected the notion that dining hall food improves for Family Weekend.
“I don’t think that’s true,” she said.
However three former RAs separately confirmed that the food is in fact better over Family Weekend, as did numerous other students.
In addition to possibly improved food, students will get to enjoy a host of other activities thanks to the arrival of their families. Varsity Nordic will be hosting an improv comedy performance on Friday, Oct. 23, and an a capella concert featuring Schwa, the Sirens and the Testostertones is scheduled for the night of Saturday, Oct. 24. The planetarium shows are another popular event and six will be offered for parents this year.
New this year is a parent/faculty social, where parents will get the chance to mingle with faculty and try some of Walla Walla’s famous wine.
Also new is Make-a-Difference day, for which students are encouraged to sign up for volunteer projects with their families.
Tavelli said parents are generally very happy during their visit and tend to like Walla Walla. She forsees problems only if parents are not able to participate in an event. Thus, students should make sure to get tickets for events early. The play being performed over Family Weekend, “Romeo and Juliet,” is already almost sold out.
