Unauthorized posters hung up in efforts to change the hiring policy

April 22, 2023

A lamppost in the loop covered with rainbow paper and posters. A large poster reads “Change the policy” in black writing, and a smaller print reads “Don’t be SPU” in red ink over yellow paper. Spokane, Wash. Celia Hagey/student contributor

On April 12 and 13, students hung up unauthorized posters in response to conversations surrounding Whitworth’s current hiring policy. Once taken down, some students took their posters out of the trash and hung them again. Grace Anderson/ The Whitworthian

On Monday, April 10, at 8 p.m., Associate Professor of English, Thomas Caraway, opened his print shop and provided students the space and supplies to make posters that asked the Board of Trustees to change Whitworth University’s hiring policy. Students distributed these posters around campus on Wednesday and Thursday.

Whitworth’s hiring policy does not include sexual orientation or gender identity as a protected class, which means Whitworth reserves the right to consider these characteristics in decisions made regarding people’s careers at Whitworth.

The poster-making event “seemed like the kind of thing that just arises,” Caraway said. “We need a response. And what can we do?”

A couple of Caraway’s classes teach poster design and how to convey persuasive messages to different audiences. When talking with students, Caraway said that students presented posters as an idea for how to get their message across.

“Student’s academic training showed,” Caraway said. “So, let’s facilitate that.”

Caraway said knowledge of poster-making spread through word of mouth. He told one student he had the space and supplies they would need at his print shop, Spokane Print and Publishing Center.

“The next thing I knew it was like, ‘Okay, great, when can we do it?’…and there was a thing on Instagram,” Caraway said.

Around fourteen students came to the event.

The posters came in a variety of shapes and sizes. There were multiple copies made of a small yellow, typeset poster with red lettering that read “Don’t be SPU.” The other posters were hand drawn with markers on matte board and displayed a variety of individual messages including things like, “It’s time for progress, otherwise, enjoy your enrollment shortfall,” and “Inclusion is tantamount to Christ’s love.”

“I love students taking initiative… and not being afraid to state [their opinions],” Caraway said.

Students hung the posters inside buildings and around the loop on Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 and 13.

The students did not get the posters approved through ASWU, so they were removed within a few hours of being put up each day. Some students took posters out of the trash and put them back up.

Caraway hopes the posters help students achieve their goal of “making their voices heard,” specifically while the Board of Trustees are on campus.

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