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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 Vice President, 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 by 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)

Statements

July 2025 Heritage Celebrations

July 1, 2025

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 July: Heritage Month Celebrations: Disability Pride Day (July 26) and Month: In the United States, Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate […]

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June 2025 Heritage Celebrations

June 9, 2025

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 June: Heritage and Awareness Month Celebrations: Family Reunification Month: This month is dedicated to celebrating the power of family reunification for children in […]

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May 2025 Heritage Celebrations

May 5, 2025

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 May: Heritage and Awareness Months: ALS Awareness Month: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS, is a nervous system disease that impacts […]

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Religious Holidays:

🌸 Birthday of Haile Selassie (July 23): For the more than a million Rastafarians worldwide, the birthday of Haile Selassie is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian tradition. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns, and prayers as a spiritual celebration of his life and legacy. Haile Selassie’s reign as Emperor of Ethiopia made him a globally prominent figure. His teachings and philosophy became the foundation for the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s.

🌸 Pioneer Day (July 24): Pioneer Day, a significant holiday in Utah, commemorates the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. It’s a day of celebration, reflecting the bravery and determination of those who settled in the area. Many events and activities throughout the state honor this historical milestone.

🌸 Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31): The Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is celebrated annually on July 31st. It commemorates St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The feast day honors his life, his spiritual work, and his lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

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Religious Holidays: 🌸 Birthday of Haile Selassie (July 23): For the more than a million Rastafarians worldwide, the birthday of Haile Selassie is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian tradition. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns, and prayers as a spiritual celebration of his life and legacy. Haile Selassie’s reign as Emperor of Ethiopia made him a globally prominent figure. His teachings and philosophy became the foundation for the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s. 🌸 Pioneer Day (July 24): Pioneer Day, a significant holiday in Utah, commemorates the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. It’s a day of celebration, reflecting the bravery and determination of those who settled in the area. Many events and activities throughout the state honor this historical milestone. 🌸 Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31): The Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is celebrated annually on July 31st. It commemorates St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The feast day honors his life, his spiritual work, and his lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Religious Holidays:

🌸 Birthday of Haile Selassie (July 23): For the more than a million Rastafarians worldwide, the birthday of Haile Selassie is one of the holiest days in the Rastafarian tradition. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns, and prayers as a spiritual celebration of his life and legacy. Haile Selassie’s reign as Emperor of Ethiopia made him a globally prominent figure. His teachings and philosophy became the foundation for the Rastafari movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s.

🌸 Pioneer Day (July 24): Pioneer Day, a significant holiday in Utah, commemorates the arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. It’s a day of celebration, reflecting the bravery and determination of those who settled in the area. Many events and activities throughout the state honor this historical milestone.

🌸 Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31): The Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola is celebrated annually on July 31st. It commemorates St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. The feast day honors his life, his spiritual work, and his lasting impact on the Catholic Church. ...

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Religious Holidays:

🌸  Ashura (July 6): This holy day for Muslims is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year it is expected to fall on July 6, though the exact date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon. Traditions and celebrations vary across regions and between Shia and Sunni communities.  For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the most important day of Muharram and marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It is a day of deep mourning and reflection.  For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea.

🌸 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) (July 9): The Martyrdom of the Bab is a holiday commemorating the July 9, 1850, execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith, the Báb, in Persia. On this day, the Báb was charged with apostasy and shot by order of the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. The Martyrdom is commemorated with prayers and reading of the Baha’i scriptures.

🌸 Karka Sankranti (July 16): Karka Sankranti is a Hindu observance that marks the beginning of the monsoon season, which starts the phase of agricultural activities. Agriculture is a significant source of income in India. During the four months of Dakshinayana, people worship Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to perform Pitru Tarpan for their ancestors wait for Karka Sankranti to perform rituals that can offer peace to the departed souls.

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Religious Holidays: 🌸  Ashura (July 6): This holy day for Muslims is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year it is expected to fall on July 6, though the exact date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon. Traditions and celebrations vary across regions and between Shia and Sunni communities.  For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the most important day of Muharram and marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It is a day of deep mourning and reflection.  For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea. 🌸 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) (July 9): The Martyrdom of the Bab is a holiday commemorating the July 9, 1850, execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith, the Báb, in Persia. On this day, the Báb was charged with apostasy and shot by order of the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. The Martyrdom is commemorated with prayers and reading of the Baha’i scriptures. 🌸 Karka Sankranti (July 16): Karka Sankranti is a Hindu observance that marks the beginning of the monsoon season, which starts the phase of agricultural activities. Agriculture is a significant source of income in India. During the four months of Dakshinayana, people worship Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to perform Pitru Tarpan for their ancestors wait for Karka Sankranti to perform rituals that can offer peace to the departed souls.

Religious Holidays:

🌸  Ashura (July 6): This holy day for Muslims is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This year it is expected to fall on July 6, though the exact date may vary depending on the sighting of the moon. Traditions and celebrations vary across regions and between Shia and Sunni communities.  For Shia Muslims, Ashura is the most important day of Muharram and marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala. It is a day of deep mourning and reflection.  For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day God saved Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh by parting the Red Sea.

🌸 Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i) (July 9): The Martyrdom of the Bab is a holiday commemorating the July 9, 1850, execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith, the Báb, in Persia. On this day, the Báb was charged with apostasy and shot by order of the Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. The Martyrdom is commemorated with prayers and reading of the Baha’i scriptures.

🌸 Karka Sankranti (July 16): Karka Sankranti is a Hindu observance that marks the beginning of the monsoon season, which starts the phase of agricultural activities. Agriculture is a significant source of income in India. During the four months of Dakshinayana, people worship Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to perform Pitru Tarpan for their ancestors wait for Karka Sankranti to perform rituals that can offer peace to the departed souls. ...

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Cultural and Federal Holidays:

🌸  Independence Day (July 4): The 4th of July is a national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Though organized around celebrating American independence from England, July 4th also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse peoples and cultures who make up our nation.

🌸  National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 27): First celebrated by The National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996, this day highlights the impacts of institutional racism in the workplace, especially regarding pay.  On average, Black women make 62 cents for every dollar paid to a White man.  This day also recognizes that inequalities created by pay disparity have generational consequences, a problem that has been exacerbated during the pandemic.

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Cultural and Federal Holidays: 🌸  Independence Day (July 4): The 4th of July is a national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Though organized around celebrating American independence from England, July 4th also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse peoples and cultures who make up our nation. 🌸  National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 27): First celebrated by The National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996, this day highlights the impacts of institutional racism in the workplace, especially regarding pay.  On average, Black women make 62 cents for every dollar paid to a White man.  This day also recognizes that inequalities created by pay disparity have generational consequences, a problem that has been exacerbated during the pandemic.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

🌸  Independence Day (July 4): The 4th of July is a national holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Though organized around celebrating American independence from England, July 4th also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse peoples and cultures who make up our nation.

🌸  National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 27): First celebrated by The National Committee on Pay Equity in 1996, this day highlights the impacts of institutional racism in the workplace, especially regarding pay.  On average, Black women make 62 cents for every dollar paid to a White man.  This day also recognizes that inequalities created by pay disparity have generational consequences, a problem that has been exacerbated during the pandemic. ...

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