Like many of its peer institutions, Whitman doesn’t hesitate to emphasize its commitment to diversity. Diversity is currently the focus of Whitman’s application supplement writing prompt, and the word pervades much of the college’s advertising literature. And according to the Whitman website, the Whitman experience “involves deep and lasting learning in an academic community comprised of people with varied experiences and global perspectives.”
Yet for many students, that ideal hasn’t yet been realized on campus.
Whitman�s Green Leaders, a group of students on a quest to decrease the Whitman community�s carbon footprint, hosted am environmentally friendly fun run on Saturday, April 21 in honor of Earth Day.
The month leading up to Earth Day brought new ways of being green to campus as Campus Climate Challenge unveiled two new “share” programs: a pilot bike share program and a Reid Campus Center mug share. Both projects aim to bring students resources not currently at Whitman.
Last Monday, April 23, Sharon Kaufman-Osborn, a counselor at Whitman, hosted a discussion focused on questions surrounding dating, relationships and self-confidence.
This summer, three Whitman students will travel to Thailand to work on a women’s health project. As members of GlobeMed, they have partnered with a group called the Burmese Women’s Union, which strives to empower Burmese refugees living in Thailand.
Whitman students, faculty and locals interested in feminist history had the opportunity on Tuesday, April 17 to meet family historian Stephanie Coontz. Coontz delivered an hour-long lecture in Olin Hall on the misconception of gender roles and the family unit of the 1960s.
A Whitman student was hit by a sport utility vehicle while using the pedestrian crosswalk on Isaacs Ave. shortly before 11 a.m. on Monday, April 16.
The student, senior Stephen Stradley, was taken to Providence St. Mary Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries following the incident. Dean of Students Chuck Cleveland said that a full recovery was expected.
About 205 admitted students, along with 200 of their parents, got a taste of life at Whitman during Admitted Students� Day on Saturday, April 14.
The day included such activities as sample classes, a mock Humans vs. Zombies mission, a tour of residence halls and an opportunity to learn about programs such as community service and off-campus studies.
In addition to handing out the lowest number of acceptances since 2006, Whitman College experienced a significant dip in applications. This year, 2,851 students applied for spots in the Whitman College Class of 2016, down 347 applicants from last year.
After five years of work, Associate Professor of Politics Aaron Bobrow-Strain has published a book entitled White Bread: A Social History of the Store-Bought Loaf. Published on March 6, 2012, the book has been selected as one of Amazon.com’s Best Books for March 2012, and was featured on NPR. It’s currently available in the Whitman Bookstore. Bobrow-Strain spoke with the Pioneer about the book and the current alternative food movement in the United States.
Making effective, and necessary, changes to the way ASWC handles student engagement will be difficult and will take time. But they will do wonders for improving the health of student government, and the Whitman community, in the long run.
