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Message of Welcome

Welcome to the University of Connecticut’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice page!  This site will serve as the University’s central hub for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) information and initiatives.  It will provide resources, opportunities for engagement, and celebrations of the many diverse communities who call UConn “home.”

UConn is committed to diversity, a crucial part of the University's mission.  We also believe that diversity makes our campuses better places to learn and work and positions UConn as a state, regional, and local leader in education, research, and outreach.  Quite simply, we believe that the diversity of our communities makes UConn stronger.

The important transformational work related to DEIJ will only be successful if the University has buy-in and input from our entire community; no singular department or unit can do this work on its own.  This website provides an entry point for every member of the UConn community – whether a student, alumni, staff, faculty, or a member of the surrounding communities, we invite you to join in this important work with us.  Together, we can improve the UConn experience for every member of our community.

Mission Statement

The University of Connecticut is committed to building a safe and inclusive community for all its members through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the guidance of the Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Hines, we as members of the UConn community aim to listen, reflect, learn, and act to make our community safe and a place of belonging for all. We aim to support diversity, equity, and inclusion through offering support for success for people of all backgrounds.

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the territory of the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, Lenape, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Nipmuc and Schaghticoke Peoples who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land, and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.

Pronunciations: Eastern Pequot (Pea-kwaht); Golden Hill Paugussett (paw-GUS-it); Lenape (Leh-NAH-pay); Mashantucket Pequot (Mash-un-tuck-it Pea-kwaht);  Mohegan (Mo-he-gan); Nipmuc (Nip-muck); Schaghticoke (ska-teh-COKE)

Upcoming Events

  1. Sep 17 2024 UConn Fall Career Fair (All-University) 11:00am
  2. Sep 17 Let’s Talk with Michelle 1:00pm
  3. Sep 17 PAC Meeting 5:00pm
  4. Sep 18 2024 UConn Fall Career Fair (STEM) 11:00am

UConn Today

Statements

September 2024 Heritage Celebrations

September 5, 2024

To the UConn Community: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of September: Heritage Month Celebrations: National Recovery Month: September is National Recovery Month, a time set aside to assist the road to recovery for […]

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Reaffirming UConn’s Commitment to DEI: Important Updates

August 28, 2024

Dear UConn Community, As we begin this new academic year, we are excited to welcome both new and returning Huskies to our campuses. Our unified goal is for every student, faculty, and staff member to feel a sense of belonging and to continue to build a community of care that reflects UConn Nation. With this […]

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August 2024 Heritage Celebrations

August 5, 2024

To the UConn Community: The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of August: Heritage Month Celebrations: Purple Heart Day (August 7): This day honors American soldiers who were wounded or killed while serving their country […]

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@uconndiversity

🔹 Cultural and Federal Holidays:

🔸 Labor Day (September 2): This federal holiday, always held on the first Monday of September, celebrates the American labor movement and pays tribute to American workers.

🔸 Patriot Day (September 11): This day honors those who perished in or as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including first responders and military service members. Flags are flown at half-staff on this day, and Americans are encouraged to honor the victims through acts of service.

🔸 National Trail of Tears Remembrance Day (September 16): On this day, we acknowledge the forced displacement of Native and Indigenous peoples from their lands. September 16th is the National Day of Commemoration for the Trail of Tears, when citizens of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Chickasaw Nations and other Eastern tribal nations were violently removed from their homelands by the United States government after the passage of the 1830 Indian Removal Act.

🔸 Mid-Autumn Festival (September 17): The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it’s the second most important traditional festival in China after the spring festival. It is also celebrated by many other Asian countries. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest.

🔸 International Equal Pay Day (September 18): This day was first acknowledged in 2019 to illuminate persistent pay discrimination and wage gaps that disproportionately affect women and people of color across all occupations.

🔸 Chuseok (September 16-18): Chuseok is a Korean holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, traditionally to commemorate the fall harvest and to honor one’s ancestors.

To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu.

Open
🔹 Cultural and Federal Holidays: 🔸 Labor Day (September 2): This federal holiday, always held on the first Monday of September, celebrates the American labor movement and pays tribute to American workers. 🔸 Patriot Day (September 11): This day honors those who perished in or as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including first responders and military service members. Flags are flown at half-staff on this day, and Americans are encouraged to honor the victims through acts of service. 🔸 National Trail of Tears Remembrance Day (September 16): On this day, we acknowledge the forced displacement of Native and Indigenous peoples from their lands. September 16th is the National Day of Commemoration for the Trail of Tears, when citizens of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Chickasaw Nations and other Eastern tribal nations were violently removed from their homelands by the United States government after the passage of the 1830 Indian Removal Act. 🔸 Mid-Autumn Festival (September 17): The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it’s the second most important traditional festival in China after the spring festival. It is also celebrated by many other Asian countries. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest. 🔸 International Equal Pay Day (September 18): This day was first acknowledged in 2019 to illuminate persistent pay discrimination and wage gaps that disproportionately affect women and people of color across all occupations. 🔸 Chuseok (September 16-18): Chuseok is a Korean holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, traditionally to commemorate the fall harvest and to honor one’s ancestors. To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu.

🔹 Cultural and Federal Holidays:

🔸 Labor Day (September 2): This federal holiday, always held on the first Monday of September, celebrates the American labor movement and pays tribute to American workers.

🔸 Patriot Day (September 11): This day honors those who perished in or as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including first responders and military service members. Flags are flown at half-staff on this day, and Americans are encouraged to honor the victims through acts of service.

🔸 National Trail of Tears Remembrance Day (September 16): On this day, we acknowledge the forced displacement of Native and Indigenous peoples from their lands. September 16th is the National Day of Commemoration for the Trail of Tears, when citizens of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminole, Creek, and Chickasaw Nations and other Eastern tribal nations were violently removed from their homelands by the United States government after the passage of the 1830 Indian Removal Act.

🔸 Mid-Autumn Festival (September 17): The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar, and it’s the second most important traditional festival in China after the spring festival. It is also celebrated by many other Asian countries. In China, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the harvest.

🔸 International Equal Pay Day (September 18): This day was first acknowledged in 2019 to illuminate persistent pay discrimination and wage gaps that disproportionately affect women and people of color across all occupations.

🔸 Chuseok (September 16-18): Chuseok is a Korean holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, traditionally to commemorate the fall harvest and to honor one’s ancestors.

To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu. ...

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of September:

🔹 Heritage Month Celebrations:

🔸 Hispanic Heritage Month: (September 15 – October 15): Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the many diverse cultures and histories within Hispanic and Latinx communities, as well as members of those culture’s achievements and contributions to the United States.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite the entire community to participate in the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center’s (PRLACC) events, which will be announced in the very near future.

🔸 National Recovery Month: September is National Recovery Month, a time set aside to assist the road to recovery for the more than 20 million Americans who are experiencing one or more substance use disorders.

The goal of this month is to reinforce the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can and do recover.

🔸 Suicide Prevention Month and Week: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) host World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to focus attention on the problem of suicide worldwide.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or having suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone. The University has resources to help through times of crisis. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion has also gathered a partial list of mental health resources for students, staff, and faculty at all five UConn campuses, as well as for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and veteran communities.

Employees seeking mental health care at UCHC can contact the Mood and Anxiety Clinic, provided by the UConn Health Department of Psychiatry. The Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals struggling with mood and anxiety symptoms.

Open
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of September: 🔹 Heritage Month Celebrations: 🔸 Hispanic Heritage Month: (September 15 – October 15): Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the many diverse cultures and histories within Hispanic and Latinx communities, as well as members of those culture’s achievements and contributions to the United States. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite the entire community to participate in the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center’s (PRLACC) events, which will be announced in the very near future. 🔸 National Recovery Month: September is National Recovery Month, a time set aside to assist the road to recovery for the more than 20 million Americans who are experiencing one or more substance use disorders. The goal of this month is to reinforce the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can and do recover. 🔸 Suicide Prevention Month and Week: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) host World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to focus attention on the problem of suicide worldwide. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or having suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone. The University has resources to help through times of crisis. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion has also gathered a partial list of mental health resources for students, staff, and faculty at all five UConn campuses, as well as for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and veteran communities. Employees seeking mental health care at UCHC can contact the Mood and Anxiety Clinic, provided by the UConn Health Department of Psychiatry. The Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals struggling with mood and anxiety symptoms.

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of September:

🔹 Heritage Month Celebrations:

🔸 Hispanic Heritage Month: (September 15 – October 15): Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the many diverse cultures and histories within Hispanic and Latinx communities, as well as members of those culture’s achievements and contributions to the United States.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite the entire community to participate in the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center’s (PRLACC) events, which will be announced in the very near future.

🔸 National Recovery Month: September is National Recovery Month, a time set aside to assist the road to recovery for the more than 20 million Americans who are experiencing one or more substance use disorders.

The goal of this month is to reinforce the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can and do recover.

🔸 Suicide Prevention Month and Week: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) host World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to focus attention on the problem of suicide worldwide.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or having suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone. The University has resources to help through times of crisis. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion has also gathered a partial list of mental health resources for students, staff, and faculty at all five UConn campuses, as well as for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and veteran communities.

Employees seeking mental health care at UCHC can contact the Mood and Anxiety Clinic, provided by the UConn Health Department of Psychiatry. The Clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals struggling with mood and anxiety symptoms. ...

- Muharram (July 7 – August 5): Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, second only to Ramadan in importance and holiness. Many Muslims celebrate the first day of Muharram as the Islamic New Year (July 7th – 8th) marking the start of the lunar year. Muslims celebrate the new year by visiting the mosque, praying for well-being, and spending time with loved ones.

- Lughnasadh (August 1): This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season.

- The Fast of Tammuz (July 23): It commemorates the day of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and by the Romans in 70 CE. It is a solemn fast day, observed from dawn until dark, and it also marks other calamities in Jewish history.

- The 9th of Av / Tish’a be-Av (August 12 – August 13): This is a major fast that is observed this year beginning at nightfall on August 12th and concluding 25 hours later on August 13th. It commemorates the destruction, respectively, of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.

- Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15): This day is widely celebrated among Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians as the day Jesus’s mother, Mary, ascended to heaven in both body and soul. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Celebrations might include festivals, processions, and planting a Mary Garden.

- Arbaeen (August 25): The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Muslims.

- Krishna Janmashtami (August 26): Also known as Gokulashtami, this two-day festival marks the birth of Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu deities.

- Paryushana Parva (August 31 – September 10): This Jain observance is a time of intensive study, reflection, and purification. It ends with a final day of confession and asking for forgiveness. It lasts 8 to 10 days.

To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events

Open
- Muharram (July 7 – August 5): Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, second only to Ramadan in importance and holiness. Many Muslims celebrate the first day of Muharram as the Islamic New Year (July 7th – 8th) marking the start of the lunar year. Muslims celebrate the new year by visiting the mosque, praying for well-being, and spending time with loved ones. - Lughnasadh (August 1): This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season. - The Fast of Tammuz (July 23): It commemorates the day of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and by the Romans in 70 CE. It is a solemn fast day, observed from dawn until dark, and it also marks other calamities in Jewish history. - The 9th of Av / Tish’a be-Av (August 12 – August 13): This is a major fast that is observed this year beginning at nightfall on August 12th and concluding 25 hours later on August 13th. It commemorates the destruction, respectively, of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. - Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15): This day is widely celebrated among Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians as the day Jesus’s mother, Mary, ascended to heaven in both body and soul. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Celebrations might include festivals, processions, and planting a Mary Garden. - Arbaeen (August 25): The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Muslims. - Krishna Janmashtami (August 26): Also known as Gokulashtami, this two-day festival marks the birth of Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu deities. - Paryushana Parva (August 31 – September 10): This Jain observance is a time of intensive study, reflection, and purification. It ends with a final day of confession and asking for forgiveness. It lasts 8 to 10 days. To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events

- Muharram (July 7 – August 5): Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, second only to Ramadan in importance and holiness. Many Muslims celebrate the first day of Muharram as the Islamic New Year (July 7th – 8th) marking the start of the lunar year. Muslims celebrate the new year by visiting the mosque, praying for well-being, and spending time with loved ones.

- Lughnasadh (August 1): This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season.

- The Fast of Tammuz (July 23): It commemorates the day of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and by the Romans in 70 CE. It is a solemn fast day, observed from dawn until dark, and it also marks other calamities in Jewish history.

- The 9th of Av / Tish’a be-Av (August 12 – August 13): This is a major fast that is observed this year beginning at nightfall on August 12th and concluding 25 hours later on August 13th. It commemorates the destruction, respectively, of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.

- Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15): This day is widely celebrated among Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians as the day Jesus’s mother, Mary, ascended to heaven in both body and soul. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Celebrations might include festivals, processions, and planting a Mary Garden.

- Arbaeen (August 25): The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Muslims.

- Krishna Janmashtami (August 26): Also known as Gokulashtami, this two-day festival marks the birth of Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu deities.

- Paryushana Parva (August 31 – September 10): This Jain observance is a time of intensive study, reflection, and purification. It ends with a final day of confession and asking for forgiveness. It lasts 8 to 10 days.

To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events ...