Skip to Main Content
Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Vol. CLV, Issue 4
Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Whitman news since 1896

Whitman Wire

Illustration by Haley King

The Racist Weed Industry

Rina Cakrani March 8, 2018

An urgent issue that is coming more to the surface these past few months is the fact that there are so many white businesses that, as a result of weed production and cultivation, are booming. Even the...

Pio Radio Hour Seven

Natalie Berg February 1, 2015

Today on The Pio Radio Hour: - An interview with staff reporter Christy Carley about the upcoming Power & Privilege Symposium and the history of the event - An interview with Seahawks fan Max...

Photo by Hayley Turner

Safety comes first, but policies remain unclear for alcohol, marijuana

Lachlan Johnson September 18, 2014
Whitman maintains strict policies against marijuana out of concern that the federal government may cut off essential financial aid and other funding should the college be found in violation of the federal law. Despite the law and official policy, students frequently use both marijuana and alcohol at Whitman and nationwide. In response to this reality, the college quietly tries to promote safety-oriented approaches to enforcement. However, the aspects of Whitman’s policies which promote safety are often not openly endorsed by the college.
'Don Jon' Reveals More Than Just Naked Bodies

‘Don Jon’ Reveals More Than Just Naked Bodies

Nathan Fisher October 3, 2013
At first glance, "Don Jon" looks like just your average movie about a porn-addicted Joisey boy. Take a deeper look however and it reveals more about the human spirit than just a plethora of naked and writhing bodies.

As Longtime Coach Steps Down, Debate Culture Under Scrutiny

Shelly Le May 20, 2013
In the last week of April of this year, Director of Forensics Jim Hanson announced he would be stepping down from his role coaching Whitman’s debate team in order to take a position as chair of the newly created rhetoric studies department. Hanson has been coaching debate at Whitman for two decades and has been widely credited with getting the team to its position of national prominence today. In the weeks following his announcement of resignation, debate alumni, students and faculty have raised questions about Hanson’s decision and the administration’s handling of the change, given that a new coach had not yet been selected for Whitman’s nationally ranked team when Hanson stepped down. Many alumni and debaters have suggested that Hanson’s change of position was not a voluntary choice, a charge which he has declined to comment on. While the college is legally prohibited from discussing the reasons why Hanson stepped down due to laws about employee confidentiality, Hanson’s decision came in the wake of greater administrative focus on the debate team. A three-week investigation by The Pioneer has confirmed that the team was the focus of a Title IX investigation during the spring of 2012, and that other administrative concerns were raised about sexual harassment and treatment of women on the team, as well as about the supervision of assistant debate coaches, most of whom are recently graduated students. The college’s Title IX investigation into the team has been the focus of discussions about Hanson stepping down, but the full story involves earlier concerns raised about team culture, including the treatment of women on the team.
'Pot Talk' Clarifies New Initiative, Highlights Uncertainty Surrounding Reform

‘Pot Talk’ Clarifies New Initiative, Highlights Uncertainty Surrounding Reform

Dylan Tull January 28, 2013
Walla Walla City Attorney Tim Donaldson and Police Sergeant Chris Buttice gave a talk on Monday, Jan. 28 to clarify details and questions regarding Initiative 502.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: A Reflection on Legalizing Marijuana and Gay Marriage

Jacqueline Rees-Mikula November 14, 2012
Tuesday night, esteemed journalist Eli Sanders came to Whitman and offered his insights on results of the 2012 election.
Load More Stories