- African American Cultural Center Senior Banquet 2022
- Dr. Laurencin meeting with Black Graduate Students and Fellows at UConn Health
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 and Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Frank Tuitt, 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)
UConn Today
Statements
A Message from President Maric on Israel and Gaza (11/27/2023)
To the UConn Community: Like many of you, I continue to mourn the devastating loss of life in Israel and Gaza and, at the same time, have been heartened by the peaceful exchange of hostages and prisoners that is taking place now. The human tragedy playing out in Israel and Gaza and its impact on […]
[Read More]University Statement in Response to Islamophobia
UConn unequivocally condemns Islamophobia, just as it condemns antisemitism and all forms of hatred. UConn was made aware that a former student received a voicemail that was reported to have included racist and inflammatory language and a reference to death, and that the UConn Muslim Student Association received an email with similar sentiments. Our review […]
[Read More]November 2023 Heritage Celebrations
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of November: Heritage Month Celebrations: Native and Indigenous Heritage Month (November): November is Native American Heritage month (also known […]
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Religious Holidays: December holds several significant religious holidays for members of the UConn Community:
Advent (December 3 through December 24): In Christianity, Advent is a period of preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, as well as for preparing for Christ’s second coming.
Christmas (December 25): Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, though it has also become a widespread secular holiday. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26 in Western Churches; December 27 in Eastern Churches): This Christian feast day commemorates Christianity’s first martyr.
Hanukkah or Chanukkah (sundown December 7 through sundown December 15): Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “Dedication,” is an 8-day Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after Greek control in the second century BCE.
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.

Religious Holidays: December holds several significant religious holidays for members of the UConn Community:
Advent (December 3 through December 24): In Christianity, Advent is a period of preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, as well as for preparing for Christ’s second coming.
Christmas (December 25): Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, though it has also become a widespread secular holiday. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26 in Western Churches; December 27 in Eastern Churches): This Christian feast day commemorates Christianity’s first martyr.
Hanukkah or Chanukkah (sundown December 7 through sundown December 15): Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “Dedication,” is an 8-day Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after Greek control in the second century BCE.
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.
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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 December:
Cultural and Federal Holidays: December holds several significant cultural and federal holidays:
World AIDS Day (December 1): Founded in 1988, World AIDS day was the first ever global health day, usually commemorated by wearing a red ribbon. This day reminds us of the ongoing crisis of AIDS: more than 35 million people have died from HIV- or AIDS-related illnesses since the virus was first identified in 1984.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3): First recognized by the United Nations in 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raises awareness about the political, economic, social, and cultural barriers to inclusion faced by those impacted by disability.
Human Rights Day (December 10): Every year, we honor the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the Declaration establishes equal dignity and worth for every person and proclaims the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, national origin, language, political orientation, or any other status.
National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day (December 21): National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day takes place on the North American winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year and the first day of winter.
Boxing Day (December 26): Boxing Day is held in many countries associated with the British empire, especially in the Caribbean. Though traditions vary from place to place, typical customs include visiting family, friends, and neighbors with gifts, food, and drinks.
Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1): From the Swahili matunda ya kwanza or “first fruits,” Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American cultural festival.

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 December:
Cultural and Federal Holidays: December holds several significant cultural and federal holidays:
World AIDS Day (December 1): Founded in 1988, World AIDS day was the first ever global health day, usually commemorated by wearing a red ribbon. This day reminds us of the ongoing crisis of AIDS: more than 35 million people have died from HIV- or AIDS-related illnesses since the virus was first identified in 1984.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3): First recognized by the United Nations in 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raises awareness about the political, economic, social, and cultural barriers to inclusion faced by those impacted by disability.
Human Rights Day (December 10): Every year, we honor the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the Declaration establishes equal dignity and worth for every person and proclaims the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, national origin, language, political orientation, or any other status.
National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day (December 21): National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day takes place on the North American winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year and the first day of winter.
Boxing Day (December 26): Boxing Day is held in many countries associated with the British empire, especially in the Caribbean. Though traditions vary from place to place, typical customs include visiting family, friends, and neighbors with gifts, food, and drinks.
Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1): From the Swahili matunda ya kwanza or “first fruits,” Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American cultural festival.
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Are you a graduate student in search of a place to work on your projects where you can also build community and eat tasty snacks? We`ve got you covered! Join us tomorrow at Storrs Student Union (PRLACC) and Hartford Times Building (Room 216) for a writing retreat session from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Are you a graduate student in search of a place to work on your projects where you can also build community and eat tasty snacks? We`ve got you covered! Join us tomorrow at Storrs Student Union (PRLACC) and Hartford Times Building (Room 216) for a writing retreat session from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there! ...