collegeapplicationsagacametoanendonApril1formosthighschoolse-niors.ButforarecordnumberofWhitmanap-pl

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Spring is in air: what to do now pg 15

satrapi speaks to campus

electro pop sensation pg 20

pg 19

climbing Wall to be unveiled Back cover

WhitmanCollegePioneer

april 16, 2009 Volume CXXIV / Issue 9 Walla Walla, WAshington whitmanpioneer.com

Departments introduce major course changes by Chelsea Bissell Reporter

Developing coherent tracks for each major is a delicate process, one that is usually in flux. This year, the philosophy, economics and English departments have taken steps to alter both their major requirements and the classes available for students. Each department is making these changes with the goal of increasing consistency in senior exams and courses and with an eye on the broader spectrum of their discipline. The philosophy department made changes to their requirements and the senior examinations. “We’ve reduced the required four course se-

quence in the history of philosophy to three courses: ancient followed by modern with each major choosing whichever third course best allows him or her to follow out an interesting idea generated by the first two courses,” said Professor Tom Davis, chair of the philosophy department. Alongside course changes in the history of philosophy, the department reworked the senior examination process, abandoning a thesis in favor of a portfolio of writings. In this portfolio, senior philosophy majors will be required to write a 2,000 word narrative on an idea they followed in their three history courses. Students will also be expected to generate a 1,000 word personal narrative on how their philosophical outlook has changed and grown through the study of philosophy. Alongside these narratives, the student will rewrite their best essay in their seminar class. These writings will ultimately be linked together during an oral examination covering all three papers. “The changes makes the major more coherent and students more directly responsible CHANGES, see page 7

ZIPPARO

Timothy Kaufman-Osborn, fondly known as ‘TKO’ by his students and colleagues, has been named Provost and Dean of Faculty. President Bridges notified faculty of his appointment on Monday.

‘TKO’ appointed provost by Molly Smith News Editor

On Monday, April 13, President George Bridges announced the appointment of Timothy Kaufman-Osborn to the position of Provost and Dean of Faculty. The announcement, which was made to the

faculty via e-mail, comes in response to the upcoming departure of current Provost and Dean of Faculty Lori Bettison-Varga. Bettison-Varga has accepted the position of President at Scripps College. Pending confirmation by the Board of Trustees, Kaufman-Osborn will officially assume the PROVOST, see page 3

Record waitlist leaves applicants in flux by Josh Goodman Reporter

E. johnson and o. Johnson

The college application saga came to an end on April 1 for most high school seniors. But for a record number of Whitman applicants this year, the

response to their application was being neither admitted nor declined, but landing a spot on the waitlist. Among the class of 2013 applicants, 550 were waitlisted, compared to 426 for the class of 2012. In addition, 132 applicants were offered the Janstart option for Spring 2010; if they accept that option, they can choose to have a spot on the fall waitlist as well.

“The primary reasons for the increase in the size of the waitlist are [that the] overall quality was very strong and we have many talented students in the pool that we could not admit but would like to [and second] to help us potentially meet enrollment goals if concerns about the economy lead fewer students to accept our offers of admission,” said Dean of Admission Tony Cabasco. ADMISSIONS, see page 7


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