Students may soon be required to reside on Whitman’s campus for all four years of school, according to an internal proposal obtained by The Wire.

The proposal, titled “TOWARDS A FULLY RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE,” will be presented by Dean of Students Kazi Joshua at a May 8th meeting of the Board of Trustees, according to a meeting schedule obtained by The Wire.

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The full text of the proposal.

In a published statement sent to The Wire, Vice President for Communications Gina Ohnstad wrote that the proposal will not be voted on in the near future, but is instead “a conversation that we are opening with the board for their input, and we would then have discussions on campus in the fall.”

Dean of Students Kazi Joshua, President Sarah Bolton, Vice President for Finance and Administration Jeff Hamrick, and Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid did not respond to The Wire’s request for comment.

Ohnstad also noted that changes to housing requirements would not apply to students currently on campus, though the proposal seeks to apply this requirement as early as Fall of 2025.

“We now propose that effective the Fall of 2025, the residency requirement be changed to 8 semesters,” reads the proposal. The ability to petition for exemptions would still apply under this new policy.

A section of the proposal titled “Rationale” lists eight bullet points:

• The new arrangement will reduce stress for all students induced by trying to navigate the housing market in Walla Walla that has continued to soar in costs
• It will provide preparation for a “strong launch after Whitman”, to create conditions of
  independent living for all students prior to their graduation.
• Financial Aid will apply in the same way it does so that there is no adverse impact between
  those who live off campus and those who live on campus.
• Admissions sees this move as a “win” for parents and applicants who are assured of housing.
• Continue to foster a sense of community and belonging as students spend more time in close
  proximity together with programming and support from residence life staff.
• Our ability to support all students will be strengthened and have a positive impact on our
  student’s persistence and success.
• When compared to similar colleges, Whitman falls in the lower end of a residential housing
  requirement (see chart).
• Currently more juniors and seniors are opting to seek housing in residence life facilities. The
  trend is already in this direction.

Walla Walla is facing a housing crisis, as The Wire reported in 2023, impacting groups including elderly citizens and professors. Whitman owns a number of off campus houses, providing 110 beds in total for students. Additionally, there are privately owned houses rented to students on a yearly and semesterly basis. The new Junior/Senior village, which the proposal relies on extensively, costs roughly $4,500 per semester, whereas Whitman’s off-campus housing options cost $2,880 per semester. Students also often find further ways to offset the costs of off-campus rentals with common practices such as subletting and getting roommates.

Another section of the proposal titled “Some Questions” lists four points:

• Should there be a requirement for a small meal plan for Juniors?
• Does the pricing structure that differentiates between the first two years of college and the last
  two years for the residential facility continue to be the best model? (Residence Halls Vs.
  Apartments and Houses)
• What kinds of communication matters might we want to consider?
• Are there issues that we have not considered? In short, is there a downside for doing this?

A person familiar with the proposal, who was granted anonymity for fears of professional repercussions, shared concerns that this addition to campus policy was being considered well after the new incoming class had committed to Whitman.

“It’s important for students to know because the committee is voting on this without student knowledge, they don’t want input on this decision… it feels a lot like undermining the student wishes,” they said.

Ohnstad clarified that no votes have yet been undertaken on the topic; “this is not a motion, and it is not a discussion that is going to a vote of any kind in this meeting.”

The person also stated concern that this may make students feel controlled.

“It’s a way to get more money from students and more … control over situations,” said the source.

Ohnstad, however, stated that the potential for a 4 year residency requirement will strengthen Whitman’s community; “Whitman College believes strongly that the residential living experience is integral to student growth and the sense of community and belonging.”