Friday, September 19, 2025
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Meet Our Interim Title IX Coordinators
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Title IX is a short and simple federal law that reads: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
While the college works to rehire a candidate to the position of Director of Equity and Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, we have enlisted the help of two experts—who will be largely working remotely—to ensure that this important work continues and that all members of the community are well supported in the interim.
Lori Makin-Byrd (left) has worked in student and employee support at higher education institutions for more than 10 years. Currently, she serves as an interim and permanent Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Administrator at both small and large colleges and universities. She previously served as the Senior Advisor to the President for Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator at the College of Wooster. In this role, she oversaw college-wide Title IX compliance and served as the main contact point for students, faculty and staff who experienced or had been accused of engaging in gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence.
Joan Cook (right) has more than 12 years of experience in higher education and civil rights compliance including Title VI, Title IX, Clery and FERPA as well as extensive knowledge of related guidance and standards. Cook has spent her higher education career working in a small-town, four-year institution as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Student Conduct Administrator and in a large urban community college as a Title IX Coordinator and leading a comprehensive compliance office. She also served as a member of the Behavioral Intervention Team at both institutions.
To access support or to report an instance of sexual misconduct or discrimination, email either Makin-Byrd (makinbyrdl@whitman.edu) or Cook (cookj2@whitman.edu) directly or use the processes that are in place as outlined on our Title IX webpage and our Bias Report and Response webpage.
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Astronomy Professor Published in Astrophysics Journal
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Artist Talk & Community Dance Class Today
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The Department of Theater and Dance will host an artist talk with Kara Mack—guest choreographer for “Feeling Forward” later this semester—on Friday, Sept. 19, from 4–5 p.m. in the Harper Joy Theatre lobby. Following the talk, Mack will lead an open-level community dance class from 5:30–7 p.m. in the Dance Studio.
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Volleyball Home Games This Weekend
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Sherwood Athletic Center will close early on Friday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. in preparation for volleyball home games which start on Friday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. As a general rule, Sherwood Athletic Center closes three hours prior to the start of any home games.
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Harper Joy Theatre Season Opens Next Weekend
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The 2025–2026 Harper Joy Theatre season will begin with a production of “Art” with performances Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 28. Directed by Professor of Theater Christopher Petit, this Tony Award-winning play by Yasmina Reza explores the subjective nature of creative work and the fragility of human relationships. Tickets—free for Whitman students—are available through the box office. (Flyer attached.)
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Oxford University Information Sessions Announced
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Off-Campus Studies will host two upcoming webinars for students interested in studying abroad at Oxford University on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Olin 301. In the recent past, Whitman has sent students in a variety of majors (Asian and Middle Eastern Studies; Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology; Economics; English; Gender Studies; Politics; and Sociology) to several Oxford colleges. For more information related to the “Oxbridge” model of education, in which students work one-on-one with faculty tutors researching very specific topics related to their major, students should plan to attend one of these webinars and speak to the Office of Off-Campus Studies.
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Harper Joy Theatre, Lobby
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Penrose Library, Room 313 (“The Fishbowl”)
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Reid Campus Center; Bennington Lake
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Reid Side Lawn, Brewer Wetlands
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Penrose Library, Room 313 (“The Fishbowl”)
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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