Whitman Today
 

Monday, December 9, 2024

 Finals Season & De-Stress Fest

Feature by: Aimée Milne, Assistant Vice President for Wellness, and Dr. John Johnson, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

An illustration with a watercolor flower in a circle plus light-colored text: “Destress Fest 2024”

This coming Friday marks the last day of instruction. Students are putting the finishing touches on projects and papers. Many are preparing for exams, while some are contemplating their changing circumstances when classes end for the semester (returning home, navigating family dynamics, being away from friends, preparing for a term abroad, etc.). When we think about the student stress calendar, we know this is a time in the semester when students are often feeling depleted while also facing a number of different challenges and striving to do their best work. 

At Whitman, we support students in a number of ways throughout the year, but especially during these times. We want to make sure that students are caring for themselves and prioritizing their own wellbeing as part of their approach to succeeding academically. Getting lots of sleep (none of that all-nighter stuff). Providing their bodies with nutrients that support their health and help them respond to the moment’s cognitive demands. Avoiding negative self-talk and welcoming encouraging words from others. 

It can be difficult to manage stress in these last few weeks, so the college coordinates a number of programs and activities to help students balance their wellness needs with their academic responsibilities. This semester’s De-Stress Fest includes Arts & Cats, Fuel & Focus, and the Puppy Party. (Flyer attached.) 

We also want to make sure that students are comfortable asking for help and leveraging institutional support resources if needed. There are drop-in hours at the Counseling Center from Monday through Friday this week, at 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. The Health Center stands ready to support students who might find themselves experiencing illness or injury. The Wellnest is also available in Welty Health Center Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Wellnest is a quiet space for relaxation and rejuvenation with nurturing items like tea, art supplies and lots of other goodies. Students also have access to free telehealth counseling and other on-demand wellness resources through our partner at UWill.com. (Flyer attached.) If students are in need of counseling after hours, they can call the urgent counseling line at 509-527-5588.

As we approach the end of the semester, let’s all be medicine for each other and make sure we are familiar with the resources available to help get the students across that finish line.

Go Blues!  

Pedestrian Safety Reminder

The Whitman College campus is intertwined with public streets that can pose a risk to pedestrians, especially during the winter months when it gets dark earlier. Please remember these safety tips:

  • Wear white, light or reflective clothing for better visibility.
  • Cross streets only at crosswalks or intersections.
  • Be aware of your surroundings—cell phones and headphones are distracting.
  • Use extra caution when conditions are foggy, rainy or snowy.

Announcements

Share Your Feedback With The Princeton Review

Whitman students are invited to complete The Princeton Review survey to share their unique perspective and experiences about academics, social activities, residence life, food and more. These anonymous insights help guide future college-bound students and will be featured in The Princeton Review’s resources. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

 

Wayfinding Feedback Survey

Thank you to everyone who provided in-person feedback on campus wayfinding. It’s not too late! If you have thoughts on navigating campus, the wayfinding experience, campus signage, etc. please fill out this short survey. 

 

Outdoor Program Gear Sale Tomorrow

The Outdoor Program will hold its annual new and used gear sale on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from noon–5:30 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom. Used gear will include kayaks, bikes, backpacks and more. (Flyer attached.)

 

Opera & Musical Theater Workshop Performance

The Department of Music will present “Scenes of Love and Friendship” on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. in Chism Recital Hall. This opera and musical theater workshop event will feature scenes from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Wicked” and more. (Flyer attached.)

 

Early Deadline for December Payroll

The timing of the upcoming break (Dec. 24–Jan. 1), will result in a tighter timeline for payroll processing. Employees will need to submit timesheets by the end of day on Monday, Dec. 16 and supervisors need to approve them by Tuesday, Dec 17. Supervisors must approve any time off prior to approving timesheets. No corrections can be made after payroll processing begins. If you discover errors to timesheets after you sign them, please contact hr@whitman.edu and the error will be corrected with January payroll. For this pay period, a full-time employee will report 168 hours.

Photo Finish

White text on dark blue background: “Understanding your pay earnings statement”

The payroll team has created a resource to help Whitman employees read and understand their earnings statements. Both video and slideshow versions are available. Questions? Email payroll@whitman.edu or visit Accounting and Business Services in Memorial Building.

Happening This Week

 

Monday

Noon

Movement That Matters: Pilates

Sherwood Athletic Center

12:10 p.m.

Grieving@Whitman

Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room

4 p.m.

What the Health (Is an Actuary)?

Olin Hall, Room 201

4:30 p.m.

Zfit!

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

5 p.m.

Tap Dance Weekly Jam

Sherwood Athletic Center, Room 106

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

Tuesday

Noon–5:30 p.m.

Outdoor Program Gear Sale

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

Noon

Movement That Matters: MELT

Sherwood Athletic Center

4–5 p.m.

President Bolton’s Open Office Hours for Students

Reid Campus Center

5–8 p.m.

De-Stress Fest: Fuel & Focus

Third Space Center

6–8 p.m.

FGWC Stuffed Animals

Third Space Center

Wednesday

Noon

Movement That Matters: Strength & Stretch

Sherwood Athletic Center

2–4 p.m.

De-Stress Fest: Puppy Party

Reid Campus Center, Basement

3–5 p.m.

Library Drop-In Hours: Zotero & Citations

Penrose Library

4:30 p.m.

ZFit!

Reid Side Lawn or Sherwood 114

7 p.m.

Chamber Music Concert

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

8–10 p.m.

Open Kayak

Harvey Pool

8–11 p.m.

Weekly Game Night: Tabletop Games Club

Reid Campus Center, Basement

Thursday

11 a.m. to Noon

Open Office Hours: Staff Advisory Council

Reid Campus Center, Basement

Noon

Movement That Matters: Step Aerobics

Sherwood Athletic Center

4 p.m.

Art & Soul

Reid Campus Center, All Faiths Room

4–5 p.m.

Chemistry, Cookies & Cocoa

Hall of Science, Third Floor

5–8 p.m.

De-Stress Fest: Fuel & Focus

Third Space Center

5 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Basketball vs. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Sherwood Athletic Center

7 p.m.

Workshop: Opera & Musical Theater

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

8 p.m.

Dance Showcase: Roots & Bones

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

Friday

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Family Gift Drive Drop-Off Day

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

Noon–1 p.m.

French Table

Cleveland Commons

Noon

Movement That Matters: Yoga

Sherwood Athletic Center

2–5 p.m.

Study & Sip

Reid Campus Center, Queer Resource Center

5 p.m.

Whitman Women’s Basketball vs. Lewis-Clark State College

Sherwood Athletic Center

7 p.m.

My Little Pony Club

Anderson Hall, Hearth

7–10 p.m.

Whitman Chess Club: Open Play

Reid Campus Center, Room 240

7 p.m.

Whitman Men’s Basketball vs. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Sherwood Athletic Center

7 p.m.

Workshop: Opera & Musical Theater

Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall

8 p.m.

Dance Showcase: Roots & Bones

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

Saturday

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Family Gift Drive Wrapping Day

Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom

2 p.m.

Dance Showcase: Roots & Bones

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

8–10:15 p.m.

Cocoa & Caroling: Winter Karaoke Night

Reid Campus Center, Basement

8 p.m.

Dance Showcase: Roots & Bones

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

Sunday

Noon

Whitman Men’s Basketball vs. California Lutheran University

Sherwood Athletic Center

2 p.m.

Dance Showcase: Roots & Bones

Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre

Whitman Events Calendar

Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.

Produced by the Office of Communications, Whitman Today is emailed to Whitman College staff, faculty and students twice a week. An archive of previous issues is available online.

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