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 April:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Arab American Heritage Month: During the month of April, cultural institutions, schools, legislatures, and organizations across the country formally recognize the achievements of Arab Americans. Over 3.7 million Americans have roots tracing to 22 Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa, representing diverse faiths, races, and languages. Since 2017, when the Arab America Foundation established Arab American Heritage Month, efforts have grown to honor the rich cultural heritage and significant contributions of Arab Americans to U.S. society. To date, 45 states have issued official proclamations recognizing Arab American Heritage Month. In 2021, President Biden became the first U.S. president to publicly acknowledge and celebrate this important observance.
Asian American Heritage Month: Every April, UConn commemorates Asian American Heritage Month—which is observed nationally in May—to honor the contributions of Asian, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) to our country, our state, and our university. We believe that it is especially important to celebrate AAPI members of the UConn community, particularly considering the increase in identity-based harassment and violence these communities have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic. This rise in racially motivated violence and harassment has negatively impacted the living, learning, and working conditions for AAPI community members—and, by extension, all members of our community. Don’t forget to follow AsACC on Instagram for upcoming events commemorating this important month!
Autism Acceptance Month: UConn recognizes Autism Acceptance Month – formerly Autism Awareness Month – each April. Autistic* people make up a large segment of the population: 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism and there are currently over 7 million Americans from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic standings on the autism spectrum. Autism Acceptance Month is aimed at raising awareness about the experiences and needs of autistic people, as well as ensuring that autistic people can achieve a high quality of life. The name has been changed from “awareness” to “acceptance” to shift away from stigmatizing language and build welcoming environments where the community’s critical needs for inclusion, connections, and support are met.
* Language preferences vary among individuals on the autism spectrum. You may wish to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here to affirm the understanding of autism as an integral part of identity. This language is used and encouraged by many in the autistic community. Read more about identity-first language here.
UConn seeks to ensure that autistic people and those with other forms of neurodivergence have the same access to programs, opportunities, and activities as all others. The University does this, in part, through the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD), which is part of the nationwide Developmental Disabilities Network. UConn also supports neurodiversity through Neurodiversity at UConn, Civil and Environmental Engineering’s Research Experience for Neurodiverse Students, and the
In addition, UConn supports access through the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities at all campuses, including at UConn Health. CSD utilizes MyAccess, which allows students to request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations more easily. Students can get involved in Diversability, a group dedicated to creating spaces to discuss ability, disability, access, and inclusion. Faculty and staff can request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn seeks to ensure that staff and faculty with disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodations through OIE, the Human Resources department, and UConn Health’s Human Resources. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health.
National Alcohol Awareness Month: In 1987, the National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) established April as National Alcohol Awareness Month. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness about one of the nation’s largest health issues; to reduce the social stigma associated with alcoholism; to educate people about the causes and available treatments; and to offer advice for those struggling with alcohol abuse or dependency. At UConn, we endeavor to ensure that substance use is not a barrier to academic, personal, or professional success. Please visit Student Health and Wellness’s (SHaW) Alcohol and Substance Use Support, UConn Recovery Support Services, and UConn’s Recovery Community Center for resources, trainings, and opportunities for support on your journey or to learn how you can support others on theirs. This April, we would like to remind you that no one is alone in their journey through recovery; while every journey is different, we are all in this together.
National Deaf History Month: In 1997, the National Association of the Deaf introduced National Deaf History Month, which is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of Deaf* and Hard-of-Hearing people, as well as to raise awareness and appreciation of Deaf culture, history, and American Sign Language. Originally celebrated in March to coincide with the opening of the first public school for the Deaf, the commemoration is now held in April to better include the experiences of BIPOC Deaf people.
* Language preferences vary among members of the Deaf community, and as such, it’s important to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here to reflect the ways that many consider being deaf or hard of hearing as an integral part of identity and community. To learn more, you may wish to consult this article from the National Association of the Deaf, as well as this style guide from the National Center on Journalism and Disability.
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: Every April, UConn renews its commitment to eliminating sexual violence on our campuses, in our state, and across the country. Sexual assault, harassment, violence, and abuse can happen anywhere: in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 women experience rape or attempted rape. Sexual violence disproportionately impacts women of color, Native and Indigenous women, immigrant women, LGBTQIA+ women, and disabled women. Moreover, people under the age of 30, especially college-aged individuals, face the highest rates of sexual assault, including 21% of transgender or non-binary students, 18% of female students, and 4% of male students. Ending sexual violence requires care and commitment from all of us.
The Women’s Center is committed to raising awareness about sexual violence and prevention and supporting survivors of sexual violence year-round. The Women’s Center is here for you. UConn offers education, outreach, and advocacy about sexual violence through the Women’s Center’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program.
ODI supports University efforts to hold accountable the individuals who commit sexual assault, violence, and harassment. We encourage you to report incidents of assault, violence, and harassment, especially through inform.uconn.edu and the Office of Institutional Equity. The Dean of Students Office can assist with supportive measures for students, including academic and other concerns and modifications to your class schedule. Please know that you do not have to make a formal complaint or participate in any investigative process in order to receive assistance and support. UConn employees are obligated to advise the Office of Institutional Equity if they receive a report of sexual assault; cultural center full-time employees are exempt from this, which means that we can support you without reporting your information (unless you request it or an incident involves a minor).
You can find more resources through the Title IX Office and Responding to Student Disclosures of Sexual Violence. You may also find information on the President’s Task Force on Combating Sexual Violence on the President’s website.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
World Autism Awareness Day (April 2): World Autism Awareness Day highlights the need to improve the quality of life for autistic* people. This year’s observance, “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, highlights the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Autism usually manifests during early childhood and presents on a spectrum of behaviors and abilities. The autism spectrum refers to a range of neurological variations that may present as challenges related to social interactions, communication, and sensory processing. Recent research has also found autism to be associated with strengths such as pattern identification, systems thinking, and attention to detail. UConn celebrates the members of our communities who present on the autism spectrum; we recognize the power of neurodiversity. To learn more about autism, as well as UConn’s support systems and communities for neurodivergent individuals, please visit Neurodiversity at UConn.
*Language preferences vary among individuals on the autism spectrum. You may wish to ask about language preferences and use the language that each individual prefers. Identity-first language is used here to affirm the understanding of autism as an integral part of identity. This language is used and encouraged by many in the autistic community. Read more about identity-first language here.
Earth Day (April 22): This day marks the anniversary of the 1970 founding of the modern environmental movement. Discussions about the environment began with the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Springs, which raised awareness about the impacts of pollution. Following the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, Senators Gaylord Nelson and Pete McCloskey, along with activist Denis Hayes, organized the first-ever Earth Day, which led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and several environmental protection laws. This year’s Earth Day theme is “The things we left behind.” This theme could refer to the changes that have occurred since the pandemic, such as fewer airlines, slower vacations, and investments in renewable power. It could also refer to people rebelling against the idea of returning to business as usual and being able to breathe clean air during the pandemic. UConn celebrates Earth Day through Spring Fling, an annual celebration of sustainability co-sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and Department of Dining Services.
Religious Holidays:
Lent (March 5 – April 17): In Christianity, Lent is a liturgical season prior to Easter. Lent is celebrated by members of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox traditions, among others. Generally, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation for celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. For many, Lenten observances include fasting from animal products and prayer.
Rama Navami (April 6): This is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Mahavir Jayanti (April 10): This day is celebrated by the Jain community in honor of the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara.
Passover (April 12 – April 20): Passover, also known as Pesach, is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals Judaism and commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. It is a time to reflect on the struggle for freedom from bondage. Jewish communities around the world observe Passover by hosting seder meals.
The Memorial of Jesus’ Death (April 12): This day is observed by Jehovah’s Witnesses to commemorate Jesus’ death, following his command to “keep doing this in remembrance of me”.
Palm Sunday (April 13): Palm Sunday is the Sunday preceding Easter when Christians commemorate Jesus’s triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem to crowds cheering and waving palms of victory before him.
Vaisakhi (April 14): This day also known as Baisakhi marks the beginning of the solar year, the spring harvest season, and holds immense religious significance for the Sikh community. It is observed by temple worship, feasting, and dancing.
Maundy Thursday (April 17): This day is observed on the Thursday before Easter. According to Christian tradition, it marks the day Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples before being betrayed to the Roman authorities. The term Maundy comes from the Latin word Mandatum, meaning “commandment,” referring to the new commandment Jesus gave his disciples on that day: to love one another as he had loved them.
Good Friday (April 18): Good Friday—the Friday before Easter—is the day observed by the Christian church as the day of Christ’s crucifixion.
Holy Saturday (April 19): This is a day of quiet reflection and waiting, traditionally marked by a somber mood as Christians meditate on Christ’s death and anticipate his resurrection, often culminating in the Easter Vigil service.
Easter (April 20): Easter is a holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by a holy week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, which includes Good Friday. This year both Eastern Orthodox and Western Churches will celebrate Easter on the same date even though they use different calendars. Festivities typically include a special church service, music, flowers, and ringing of church bells.
Ridván (April 20 – May 2): First Day of Ridván (meaning “Paradise” in Arabic)—the most important of the Bahá’í Holy Days. It is the day on which Bahá’u’lláh declared His mission as a Messenger of God in the Garden of Ridván.
Easter Monday (April 21): Easter Monday is the Monday following Easter Sunday, a Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is celebrated as a public holiday in many countries, especially in the Western and Eastern Christian traditions.
Yom HaShoah (April 23 – April 24): Yom HaShoah is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. Shoah, which means “catastrophe” or “utter destruction” in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people during World War II. It begins at sundown on April 23 and ends at nightfall on April 24 and is typically commemorated by Jews in synagogues and other Jewish community events.
Ninth Day of Ridván (April 28 – April 29): The day on which Bahá’u’lláh’s family joined Him in the Garden of Ridván. It is a festival of joy and unity.
We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodations. You can find information and guidance about academic accommodations for religious observations on the Provost Office’s webpage.
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.
If you would like to receive our ODI Weekly Digest, where you can receive regular updates about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities, subscribe here!
Sincerely,
Jeff and Anne
Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Interim Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Connecticut
Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health
Anne D’Alleva, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs