Whittier College students join with faculty and staff to form a community of learners. The purpose of this section is to describe residential living, co-curricular opportunities, student rights and responsibilities, and administrative support for students. The section starts with the faculty, the most important and influential people students encounter in the Whittier College community.
The Faculty
The Whittier College faculty exhibits a rare quality in American higher education: a commitment to balancing the teaching of undergraduate students with scholarly accomplishment. Our finest teachers are also nationally recognized scholars who have won awards for their books, research and other creative activities. In recent years, faculty have published numerous books on topics ranging from the Chinese revolution to European currency, have exhibited in juried art shows and directed plays in Hollywood.
An accomplished faculty wins awards. The Whittier College faculty has a strong history of receiving National Science Foundation fellowships, Fulbright fellowships and lectureships, Graves Awards, NASA summer fellowships, Haynes Foundation awards, and grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Accessible to students not just in the classroom or during office hours, Whittier faculty often open their homes to students for honorary society and departmental meetings, or sometimes just good conversation.
The Academic Advising System
Academic advising is an essential part of the educational experience at Whittier, since we believe that advising is closely connected to teaching. In 2009, a new advising resource center was created and housed in the Center for Advising and Academic Success, CAAS, located on the ground floor of the library. The new center offers resources and guidance to students and compliments the faculty advising model at Whittier College.
From the moment new students step on campus, faculty advisors are ready to assist in charting student’s curricular path. This careful advising ensures that our students graduate in four years, not five or six, as in larger institutions. It also results in our students’ admission to the country’s finest graduate programs in medicine, law, and the arts and sciences, in addition to winning prestigious awards ranging from NCAA Student Athlete awards to the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
Endowed Professorships
Endowed professorships lend distinction and strength to the Whittier College faculty. These named chairs are bestowed upon faculty whose research, teaching and/or public service have uniquely contributed to the mission of their department and the College. In addition to the academic honor, the endowed professorship provides funding for the faculty member’s teaching, research, and service responsibilities.
The Roy E. and Marie G. Campbell Distinguished Chair in Biology
Dr. Roy E. Campbell, director of the U.S. Entomological Laboratory, provided for the endowment of a chair in biology from the proceeds of his estate. The Campbell Chair supports a distinguished faculty member in that department, and assists the College in enriching teaching and research activities.
The C. Milo Connick Chair in Religion
Named in honor of the late Dr. C. Milo Connick, professor emeritus of religion and college trustee, this endowed chair provides funds for support of distinguished faculty in the field of religious studies. Funding for the chair was made possible through the support of Dr. C. Milo Connick, Richard and Sharon Ettinger, Jr. and Ray and Joan Dezember.
The Genevieve Shaul Connick Chair in Religion
Named in memory of Genevieve Shaul Connick, wife of Dr. Milo C. Connick, professor emeritus of religion and college trustee, this endowed chair provides support for a faculty member in religious studies. The estate of Dr. C. Milo Connick provided funding for the chair with matching funds from Whittier College.
The Richard and Billie Deihl Distinguished Chair
Richard Deihl ‘49 and his wife Billie (Beane) Deihl ‘50, both alumni, established this endowed chair in 1993 to provide funds for support of a distinguished scholar. A prominent executive in the financial services industry, Richard served on the Whittier College Board of Trustees from 1970-1982 and from 1992-2002, and was named Trustee Emeritus in 2006.
The Douglas W. Ferguson Chair in Economics and Business Administration
Named in honor of Douglas W. Ferguson, long-time member of the Whittier College Board of Trustees, the chair was endowed at the time of his retirement as Chief Executive Officer, Quaker City Federal Savings and Loan. The endowed chair provides funds for support of a distinguished faculty member in the field of international economics.
The James Irvine Foundation Chair in the Biological Sciences
Established through the generosity of the James Irvine Foundation, this endowed chair provides for the support of a faculty member in the field of biological sciences, who has distinguished him/herself as an instructor, researcher and author.
The Fletcher Jones Chair in Molecular Biology or Genetics
The funding for the Fletcher Jones endowed chair was generously provided through the Fletcher Jones Foundation. This Endowment provides funds for support of a distinguished faculty member in the field of molecular biology or genetics.
The Hazel Cooper Jordan Chair in Arts and Humanities
The Hazel Cooper Jordan Chair in Arts and Humanities was established in 2007 with a gift from Dr. Chester “Chet” McCloskey ‘40, and his wife, Olive (Jordan) McCloskey ‘44, in memory of Olive’s mother, an alumna in the Class of 1912. Its purpose is to maintain and enhance Whittier College’s contribution to the languages and the humanities.
The Chester and Olive McCloskey Chair in Chemistry
This fund was established in 2007 by Dr. Chester “Chet” M. McCloskey ‘40 and Olive (Jordan) McCloskey ‘40 to support the teaching, research, and services of an outstanding professor of chemistry who embodies inspirational and dedicated teaching in the sciences.
The John Murdy Chair in Business and Economics
Funded by the Murdy Foundation and Trustee Emerita Maxine Murdy Trotter ‘47, the John A. Murdy Chair in Business and Economics is named in honor of Mrs. Trotter’s father, former state senator John A. Murdy, Jr. and her brother John A Murdy III, a member of the Class of 1950 and a former college trustee. The Chair provides support for a faculty member in the departments of business or economics.
The W. Roy and Alice Newsom Chair in Chemistry
Named in honor of the late Roy Newsom, tenth President of Whittier College, and his wife Alice. The Newsom Chair provides support for an outstanding scholar/ teacher in chemistry. W. Roy Newsom was a leader at Whittier College for forty years: 1934 graduate, Professor of Chemistry and department chair, Dean of the College, Vice President for Administration, and President of the College.
The Yao Yuan Sze Endowed Chair in Kinesiology
Established in 2015 through the generous support of the Yao Yuan Sze Foundation of Bellevue, WA. Before his death in 2013, Yao Yuan Sze-a successful businessman, aerospace engineer, and philanthropist-came to appreciate Whittier College and its positive impact on students. He wished to support the College’s work in providing transformative education in the areas of health and science.
The C. Wright Mills Chair in Sociology
This endowed chair was created through a generous bequest from the late Professor Emeritus Les Howard ‘62 and many of his supporters. In his work, The Sociological Imagination (1959), C. Wright Mills wrote, “Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.” Sociology at Whittier embraces this Millsian belief, and the holder of the endowed professorship will apply sociological theory to practice within a local or international community; promote social justice, especially for the disenfranchised; and use the resources of the appointment for student-centered activities.
The Albert Upton Chair in English Language and Literature
The Albert Upton Chair in English Language and Literature commemorates the director of Whittier’s earlier liberal education curriculum, the General Studies Program, and the designer of a semantically oriented freshman English course, Design for Thinking. The holder of the Upton Chair is committed to the teaching of writing and plays an important role in the College’s writing program.
The Nadine Austin Wood Chair in American History
Named in honor of Nadine Wood, the late wife of Donald “Bill” Wood L.H.D. ‘98, trustee and college treasurer, this endowed chair provides support for a faculty member in American History. Nadine was active in community organizations, particularly the Whittier Historical Society, and the Friends of the Shannon Center. Bill has been a college trustee since 1975.
Recognition of Student Academic Achievement
Honoring our students’ academic achievements is among the most important things Whittier College does. From national honor societies to the Dean’s List and honors at graduation, we take pride in and recognize academic achievement.
Whittier College supports the following national honorary and leadership societies:
- Alpha Pi Delta (Business)
- Alpha Psi Omega (Drama)
- Delta Phi Upsilon (Education)
- Gamma Delta Kappa (Chinese)
- Lambda Alpha (Anthropology)
- Nu Mu Rho (Chemistry)
- Omicron Delta Kappa (Collegiate Activities)
- Phi Alpha (Social Work)
- Phi Alpha Theta (History)
- Phi Epsilon Kappa (Kinesiology)
- Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science)
- Psi Chi (Psychology)
- Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish)
- Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics)
- Sigma Tau Delta (English)
- Theta Alpha Kappa (Religion Honor Society)
Honors Convocation. A formal convocation, with faculty marching in full academic regalia, is held each spring semester to honor students with outstanding academic achievements. In addition, students and faculty honor one faculty member each year with the Harry W. Nerhood Teaching Excellence Award.
Career Center
The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) prepares students through student-centered approaches via personalized coaching, identifying and combining the unique qualities of their whole self (personality, innate talents, skills, academic and campus involvement) to develop a personal and professional brand.
The Career Center maintains an environment that focuses on students’ unique needs while connecting them to a support system that will guide them to and through their first internship or first job during and after graduation.
In addition to individual coaching, the Career Center helps students with career exploration, job readiness, graduate school preparation, and employer and alumni networking, among other services.
Career planning services include but are not limited to: personalized career coaching, hosts alumni and employer partner panels, workshops and trainings ranging from career/interest exploration to leadership and personal branding; experiential learning opportunities via career readiness in the classroom; exploration through assessments (MBTI, CliftonStrengths); host industry related hiring and graduate & professional school fairs; career treks and employer campus visits; post-graduate support through lifelong access to career resources for alumni; and enhance alumni mentorship. The Career Center maintains intentional partnerships with various on campus departments and off site organizations to ensure up to date awareness of industry knowledge.
Appointments and awareness of all services and resources can be easily accessed 24/7 using the online career platform Handshake located at https://whittier.joinhandshake.com. Additional information can also be easily accessible via the career center website at www.whittier.edu/careers. Students and alumni can connect with the career center team by scheduling individual appointments on Handshake, by attending events or taking a career exploration course. They can follow the center Instagram account (@whittiercollegecareercenter) for upcoming event information as well as career opportunity details.
Center for Advising and Academic Success
The mission of the Center for Advising and Academic Success (CAAS) is to empower all Whittier College students to become successful, self-directed, and collaborative lifelong learners. CAAS will provide a supportive and holistic learning environment for anyone who is willing to seek help and work towards achieving their educational and personal goals. CAAS services are free to Whittier College students and include:
- Academic advising and guidance
- Peer tutoring
- Peer academic coaching
- Academic strategies workshops
- Computer lab
- Comfortable study space
Please call (562) 907-4816, visit our website, or stop by the Center for more information. CAAS is located on the ground floor of the Wardman Library.
Wellness Services
Whittier College believes in an equitable model of health by encouraging all students to proactively utilize a wide array of health and wellness supports including athletic facilities, residential hall work-out areas, recreational/intramural sports, e-sports and virtual wellness programming. We provide access to a complete remote healthcare platform, which offers tele-counseling, tele-medical, crisis intervention and health programming (e.g. mindfulness, yoga). In addition, the following services are available to students on campus.
Counseling Services
The Whittier College Student Counseling Center provides the opportunity for students to discuss personal, emotional, and academic problems with a counselor in a safe, confidential environment, M-F, 8am - 5pm. Services are provided by a diverse staff of psychologists, psychology trainees, licensed clinical social workers and social work interns. Services are free to currently enrolled undergraduate students and include short-term, solution-focused individual counseling. Outreach programs on topics relevant to students and campus life are presented in collaboration with Residential Life and Student Life staff. Counselors also provide crisis intervention, consultation and referrals to community providers for students who may need a higher level of care. A variety of virtual supports including YOU@Whittier, Talk Campus and UWill are available to all students at no charge and can be found on our webpage at whittier.edu/counseling.
Peer Health Educators
Peer Health Educators act as a bridge between students and campus resources. Each summer, a group of students, representing allied health majors, undergo intensive training based on the SAMHSA 8 Dimensions of Wellness model. Throughout the academic year, these students present tabling and programming to educate their peers on all areas of health. In addition, they hold office hours (M-F) in a residential hall, available by appointment or by walk-in to consult with peers on a variety of issues, to offer support and to help connect students to campus resources.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), located in the Campus Center next to the bookstore, seeks to create opportunities for diversity exchange and dialogue that foster mutual respect for the uniqueness of each member of the campus community. By sponsoring various programs and events, the Office of Equity and Inclusion promotes awareness, learning, critical thinking, identity development, and advocacy. In addition, the OEI serves as a liaison to connect underrepresented populations of students to academic services, career counseling, and support networks that foster student persistence and success. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is a great place to cultivate new friendships, memories, and enjoy the rich diversity Whittier College has to offer. The OEI also provides religious and spiritual student groups with the support they need to pursue their respective missions and goals.
The Ortiz Programs, formerly coordinated through the Center for Mexican American Affairs, were founded by Martin Ortiz ‘48 to enhance the college experience of Latino students. The Ortiz programs continue to provide academic, social, career, and financial aid guidance to all Latino students on campus, and in particular to those who are the first in their families to attend college. The Ortiz Programs also serve as a liaison between students, faculty, parents, alumn~ and community organizations. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Whittier College is proud to recruit and graduate a large percentage of Hispanic students. This commitment has contributed to Whittier’s distinction as one of the country’s most diverse liberal arts colleges.
Student Accessibility Services
Mission: Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is committed to helping students with disabilities participate in college life to the fullest extent possible.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), its Amendment, and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, SAS seeks to reduce barriers against students with disabilities. Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individual shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Our goals and services include:
- Providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students with disabilities, while maintaining the standards of the college’s academic programs
- Assisting students with disabilities in developing self-advocacy skills
- Offering disability management appointments
- Educating the Whittier College community about disabilities and services provided
- Ensuring our campus is legally compliant with state and federal disability laws
Requesting Accommodations: Students must self-identify as having a diagnosed disability to become registered with SAS. SAS requires current documentation of a student’s disability for permanent registration.
Following either submission of documentation or self-identification of disability to SAS, the student must meet with a SAS staff member to discuss the student’s conditions, courses, and accommodations. SAS will then approve and/or deny accommodations and notify the student’s faculty of accommodations. Following, the student may activate and use their accommodations at their discretion.
Requests are evaluated across factors that include the nature of a student’s disability, the impact of such condition(s) upon various aspects of the student’s life (e.g., academic, social, structural access issues), and the type and extent of the requested accommodation.
A student who is permanently registered (i.e. submits documentation of disability to SAS) can request academic accommodations for their courses each semester. SAS offers temporary registration for students who do not yet have documentation and/or have temporary conditions. Temporary registration allocates accommodations for the duration of one semester. SAS reserves the right to contact appropriate faculty and staff to discuss requests.
SAS facilitates the approval and implementation of a variety of accommodations, including academic accommodations, housing accommodations, emotional support animals, meal plan exemptions, and structural access accommodations.
Health Services
The Student Health & Wellness Center provides comprehensive care for the treatment of common illnesses, minor injuries, immunizations, TB skin tests, general/sports physicals, women’s and men’s health exams and basic laboratory services. Limited prescription and over the counter medications are available on-site. The center also provides health education, illness prevention information, workshops, and referrals to local medical services when needs cannot be addressed on campus. In addition, we offer massage and nutritionist services, by appointment several times per month. Health Center staff are available from 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. There is no charge for a visit; however, there is a small charge for medications, vaccinations, TB skin tests, and lab tests. Telemedicine appointments are available with a physician 24/7/365 at no additional fee to the student through the UWill platform. . All full-time students must be covered by health insurance while attending Whittier College. Students who are not covered by a personal or family policy are required to participate in the Student Health Plan by Aetna provided by the college for a fee. Learn more at whittier.edu/studenthealth.
Internships and Community-Based Learning
Students at Whittier College have many opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom by working in the community. The Center for Engagement with Communities (CEC) and the Center for Career Planning and Internships both serve as important resources. The goal of both offices is to work with students and faculty to foster the effective use of applied experience as an integral part of a liberal arts education and to empower students and prepare them for professional lives upon graduation.
The Center for Engagement with Communities, located in Hanover House on campus, is dedicated to developing and strengthening partnerships between Whittier College and the community in order to enhance student learning and benefit community partners. Together, faculty, students and community partners identify and address important needs, encourage a culture of civic engagement and promote healthier and more educated communities. The mission of the CEC is to promote life-long learning and civic engagement. Community engagement and service learning activities are facilitated by faculty and take place as part of class-based and/or extra-curricular activities.
Internships are academically related, experiential learning opportunities that allow students to test themselves and learn from professionals in the field. Internships are available in business and industry, government, and non-profit community organizations. The Center for Career Planning and Internships assists students in all disciplines and at all academic levels who seek internship and community-based, service-oriented learning. Services for students include: individual appointments with the staff to discuss your experience goals; the Early Email Alert list so that you can be notified of new internship/community-based opportunities just as soon as they are posted; 24/7 internship/community-based learning database access; assistance with your internship resume and cover letters; how to create your own intern position; strategies for finding summer positions when you are out of the Whittier area; and how to earn academic credit for your internship work; and internship/community-based learning fairs and campus events during the academic year. The Office of Internships & Community-Based Learning is located in the Campus Center on the second level.
Office of Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI), located in the Campus Center next to the bookstore, seeks to create opportunities for diversity exchange and dialogue that foster mutual respect for the uniqueness of each member of the campus community. By sponsoring various programs and events, the Office of Equity and Inclusion promotes awareness, learning, critical thinking, identity development, and advocacy. In addition, the OEI serves as a liaison to connect underrepresented populations of students to academic services, career counseling, and support networks that foster student persistence and success. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is a great place to cultivate new friendships, memories, and enjoy the rich diversity Whittier College has to offer. The OEI also provides religious and spiritual student groups with the support they need to pursue their respective missions and goals.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion works closely with the student government and officers of various clubs and organizations to promote and encourage co-curricular activities that meet the interests of the student body. Numerous student organizations initiate a variety of programs with the financial support of the student activity fee. The Office of Equity and Inclusion also advises programming in Club 88, our on-campus nightclub and performance venue. Comprehensive information about opportunities for leadership and involvement at Whittier College through societies, publications, broadcasting, clubs and organizations is available in the Student Handbook, on the College website and through the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
The Ortiz Programs, formerly coordinated through the Center for Mexican American Affairs, were founded by Martin Ortiz ‘48 to enhance the college experience of Latino students. The Ortiz programs continue to provide academic, social, career, and financial aid guidance to all Latino students on campus, and in particular to those who are the first in their families to attend college. The Ortiz Programs also serve as a liaison between students, faculty, parents, alumn~ and community organizations. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Whittier College is proud to recruit and graduate a large percentage of Hispanic students. This commitment has contributed to Whittier’s distinction as one of the country’s most diverse liberal arts colleges.
Residential Life
Most Whittier College students live in one of five campus residence halls. Residence halls accommodate from 20-210 students. They are staffed by full-time professional staff (www.whittier.edu/reslife/contact) and undergraduate Resident Advisors who provide students with continuous support, assistance, and program opportunities for learning and development.
Whittier College is committed to providing a co-curricular environment which enhances and enriches the academic program and which provides students with opportunities for personal and social growth, self-discovery, and an appreciation of one’s responsibilities to self and others. To those ends, Whittier College sees residential living as an integral part of the student’s education. Residential living fosters a sense of community, facilitates the integration of the individual into campus activities and organizations, exposes students in a very direct and personal way to a
pluralist community, encourages an atmosphere of free and wide-ranging expression of ideas, and develops in each person capacities for self-direction and deep concern for others.
Along with a range of social and educational programs provided by the Housing & Residential Life staff, there are several theme communities for students to live in. Living in a theme community offers students with shared interests the opportunity to live together and deepen their connection to that interest as a group. For more details about our theme communities, please visit our website (https://www.whittier.edu/reslife/communities).
Students Rights and Responsibilities
A student enrolled at Whittier College assumes an obligation to conduct himself or herself in a manner compatible with the College’s function as an educational institution. While the College believes in the ability of all Whittier College students to uphold the highest standards of behavior that is consistent with membership in an academic community, it does have jurisdiction over student conduct that is considered harmful or unacceptable.
The Code of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, created jointly by faculty, students, and administrators, is published annually in the student handbook and describes the principles and procedures employed at Whittier College. All members of the Whittier College community are expected to uphold and protect the values of the College.
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