QUAKER CAMPUS November 30, 2023
The voice of Whittier College since 1914
Volume 22— Issue 7
Whittier Launches Whittier Now! Nune Papikyan Photographer
A discussion led by multiple faculty members ocurred on Nov. 15.
joseph jimenez / the daily bruin
Where Are the Israel-Palestine Protests? Anna Gaber HEAD COPY EDITOR
As the Israel-Palestine war has now extended past the one month marker, the College administration has not publicly addressed the conflict since Oct. 10. On that day, Interim President Kristine Dillon sent out an email to the student body concerning Hamas’ attack on Israel, urging those affected to reach out for resources, such as the Counseling Center, but, in regards to the bombing in Gaza, there has been no formal stance nor follow-up on behalf of the College since. Whittier is small and quiet in all
senses, which can be discouraging protests. However, on Nov. 15, a for activism and publicly voicing faculty-led “campus conversation” opinions, with factors like anti-sem- took place in the SLC room 205 itism and Islamophobia that cannot with high attendance and participabe ignored as well. tion in discussion from the student College students from colleges body. like Cal Poly and UCLA have been Professors Ifrana Hashmi, Serkan conducting walkouts and protests Zorba, Ann Kakaliouras, Jason on their campuses, and utilizing Carbine, and Becky Overmysocial media as a platform to voice er-Velásquez were the curators of their opinions and raise awareness. the event. As the professors stated In addition to Cal Poly and at the very beginning, the event was UCLA, students from Chapman intended to provide a “safe space” University, which is similar to for the Whittier community to Whittier in size, also participated in engage in respectful discourse and a protest of the war. Besides a vigil learn about the war. for Israeli victims hosted on Nov. 7 The main takeaway of the event by SAMI, a Jewish club on campus, Whittier has not engaged in any See Israel-Palestine on page 2.
Newsom’s Grant Program: Indigenous Reparations the California Truth and Healing Council, Executive Order N-1519, and N-82-20, all of which are coming to fruition by offering California tribes $100 million in part to buy back their land. In 2022, Newsom announced the $100 million budget proposal to the California Truth and Healing Council for a “tribal nature-based solutions program," this funding to establish the program was ultimately approved in the states 2022-23’ and 2023-24 budget. This grant will help tribes “reacquire those lands to ensure that tribes are back in the stewardship role," as stated by Geneva Thompson, Deputy Secretary of Tribal Affairs for the agency. This demonstrates the Newsom administration’s plans to address climate change through “nature-based” solutions as Thomson states, “we know that the lands benefit and are healthier by being stewarded by tribes and by being lived with in relation to tribal traditional ecological knowledge [and] cultural practices.” This would look like utilizing program funds for forestry management and restoration through cultural burning alongside the returning of ancestral land, as he was expressed as a top priority by tribes present in the discussion regarding the program.
courtesy of grist Grants towards tribes will be distributed in 2024. climate initiatives. One ever-presEstasia McGlothlin STAFF WRITER ent threat to California’s marine environment is offshore oil-drilling, As the California coast struggles which the Chumash people have with extreme levels of pollution and been addressing through a proposed associated rising sea levels, citizens co-managed and federally protected are in search of and advocating for sanctuary between the Chumash, viable solutions. These solutions are other local tribes, and the National in hope to decelerate the anticipat- Oceanic and Atmospheric Admined damage in years to come. It is istration (NOAA). expected that “with limited human The sanctuary would protect intervention, 24 to 75 percent of land that is valuable to California’s Southern California beaches could coastal tribes, such as the Chumash completely erode back to coastal in- People, and would prevent oceanic frastructure or sea cliffs by the year industrial development such as oil 2100.” drilling in an area that spans 156 The course of this projected en- miles of coastline and 7,670 square vironmental damage could be re- miles of ocean. duced by recent efforts such as the Governor Newsom has had a Energy Innovation and Carbon similar approach to the climate criDivided Act and Indigenous-led sis as seen in his establishment of See Reparations on page 3. Life: Indigenous History Month: Is Whittier Doing Enough? Articles: Campus A & E: Strike Over! SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP Reach Agreement
On Nov. 16, a week before Thanksgiving break, Whittier College announced on their website a new means of finding funding for the College. Whittier Now! is an ongoing fundraiser initiative that will be open until Dec. 31 of this year. The Fundraiser asks the Poet community to come together and donate, hoping to reach a goal of $1 million by 2024, which will lead into a five-year plan of achieving $12.5 million in fundraising money. The goal is to increase the alumni inclusion in the fundraising process, something that is led by Whittier College’s Board of Trustees. Several alumni and Board of Trustees have donated towards this plan. The College states that this investment will promote personalized education, social mobility, leadership, and Poet Pride, urging alumni who “love the school” to help current students reach their dreams just as they did before. The College states, “Whittier College graduates change the world. With your support, Whittier will continue to make a difference in the lives of students, families, communities — and the world.” The initiative is part of Interim President Kristine Dillon’s proposed short range strategic plan. The plan pushes to focus on two specific areas to help boost certain aspects of the College’s goal: student enrollment and college fundraising. The organization will focus on creating deeper relationships with high schools and community colleges, strengthening certain aspects of marketing and rely on alumni
and faculty for support. Regarding the fundraising, the article states that it is, “ensur[ing] long-term financial security and sustainability." Why would Whittier College need a fundraiser? Last November, the school issued an email regarding the recent elimination of certain sports programs, including Whittier College’s Football team. At the time, they stated that the $400 million debt was paid down to $42 million. Although the amount is smaller, it is still not enough for the College to be considered in the clear. Does the low enrollment affect the College’s financial status? The simple answer is yes, as stated in an article by CNBC, when a college or university experiences low enrollment there is a more likely chance for the school have financial struggles. “Smaller, less selective schools — and those serving low- and middle-income students — have been the hardest hit,” states the article. As for the fundraising initiative, the College advertises it, urging potential donors to, “Join and broaden our supportive community that preserves and protects what we’ve built. Sustain the highly personalized residential liberal arts experience that has transformed so many lives over generations. Your support will allow us to uphold Whittier’s commitment to student scholarships, faculty excellence, athletics, and challenging, interactive courses.” For now, students will wait until the end of the year to see what this fundraiser has to offer and if it will begin a steady stream of donations that will help the college reach a level of financial stability.
courtesy of whittier college The fundraiser aims to earn $1 million by 2024.
Index:
News — 1, 2, 3 | Sports — 4,5 | Campus Life — 6, 7 | Opinions — 8 | Features —9 | A & E — 10, 11, 12