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 February: 

Heritage Month Celebrations: 

Black History Month (February): Black History Month celebrates Black and African American history, culture, achievements, and excellence. It also draws attention to the lived experiences of Black and African Americans within the United States, including by celebrating Black and African American communities and creating awareness about issues these communities face. This celebration began in the United States in 1926, when Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) head Dr. Carter G. Woodson recommended that schools use the second week of February—which holds the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass—to ensure students are exposed to Black history. Fifty years later, this week was expanded into a month-long celebration. Every president since 1976 has proclaimed February to be Black History Month. 

The theme for this year’s Black History Month is “African Americans and Labor.” According to ASALH, this theme centralizes “the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people… It intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black people’s work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.”   

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the fullness of Black and African American history and culture, though such celebrations cannot—and should not—be limited to a single month. At UConn, we believe that Black history, culture, and excellence should be celebrated every day. The University aims to provide opportunities for celebration, community building, and education through the African American Cultural Center (AACC) and Africana Studies Institute.  

We invite the entire UConn community to join in celebrating this year’s Black History Month. The AACC’s opening Black History Month event is Creating New Paths with Chanelle Howell. It will take place on February 3^rd at 6pm in the Student Union Ballroom [Rm 330/331]. Register for this event here. 

Please check the AACC’s website for a full calendar of events!  

Cultural and Federal Holidays 

National Freedom Day (February 1): National Freedom Day celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and recognizes the United States as a symbol of liberty. National Freedom Day was proposed in 1941 by Richard Robert Wright, Sr. to commemorate the day President Lincoln signed a Congressional resolution stating that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” This resolution would become the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865. National Freedom Day became a national holiday in 1948. 

World Hijab Day (February 1): World Hijab Day was started in 2013 by Nazma Khan, who wanted to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting all women to wear a hijab for one day each year. In the decade since, World Hijab Day has grown to promote awareness, education, and empowerment in order to dismantle bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women. World Hijab Day celebrates religious tolerance and women’s rights around the world. 

Valentine’s Day (February 14): Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on February 14. The origins of the holiday are disputed; some accounts point to pagan fertility festivals while others point to St. Valentine, an early Christian saint martyred for performing weddings in defiance of a ban on marriage for military-aged men. Today, Valentine’s Day is typically regarded as a celebration of romantic love. 

Presidents Day (February 17): President’s Day, also known as Washington’s Birthday on the federal level and for the State of Connecticut, is celebrated in the United States on the third Monday of February. Established in 1879 to honor Washington’s February 22 birthday, Presidents Day was moved to the third Monday of February in 1970 as part of the Uniform Monday Holidays Act to create more three-day weekends for workers. The holiday now celebrates all US presidents, past and present. 

Religious Holidays 

Imbolic (February 1-2): This Pagan and Wiccan festival serves as the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, celebrating fire, light, and the return of life.

Candlemas (February 2): Candlemas is a Christian holiday that occurs 40 days after Christmas. Also known as Presentation of the Lord, Candlemas commemorates Jesus’ presentation at the Temple. For Catholics, in particular, Candlemas honors the purification of the Virgin Mary. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate by having beeswax candles blessed at church or at home. Candlemas is celebrated as Día de la Candelaria in many Spanish speaking countries. Whoever finds the baby figures hidden inside the Rosca de Reyes cake from El Día de Reyes/Three Kings Day is obliged to host the Candelaria gathering. Candlemas is halfway between the December Solstice and the March Equinox, marking the halfway point for winter.  

Tu B’Shevat (February 12 – February 13): The 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. This day marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. Today, many Jews hold a modern version of the Tu B’Shevat seder (festive meal) during the holiday and celebrate by eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. The holiday has also become a tree-planting festival in which many Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or memory of loved ones and friends. 

Parinirvana (February 15): This day, also known as Nirvana Day, marks the death of the Buddha and his attainment of final Nirvana. Buddhists may observe this day by meditating or by visiting Buddhist temples or monasteries. Many take this time to reflect on their lives and consider how they can attain the perfect peace of Nirvana. 

Maha Shivaratri (February 26 – 27): The most important sectarian festival of the year for devotees of the Hindu god Shiva. The 14th day of the dark half (waning moon) of each lunar month is especially sacred to Shiva, but when it occurs in the month of Magha (January–February) and especially in the month of Phalguna (February–March), it is an observance of rejoicing. The preceding day the participant observes a fast and at night a vigil during which a special worship of the lingam (symbol of Shiva) is performed along with prayer and relating myths about Shiva. The following day is celebrated with feasting, festival fairs, and, among the members of the South Indian Lingayat sect, the giving of gifts to the guru (personal spiritual guide). Devotees believe that worship on this night provides extraordinary religious and worldly benefits.  

We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodation. 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 

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 December:

 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, and an estimated 38 million people worldwide have the virus today. The day offers an opportunity to commemorate those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and to support those currently living with HIV, as well as to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education. This year’s theme is “World AIDS Day 35: Let Communities Lead.”  Communities living with, and affected by, HIV, networks of people from key populations and youth leaders have been, and continue to be, essential for progress in the HIV response. This year’s theme is a call to action to empower and support these communities in their leadership roles.

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. It is important to remember that not all forms of disability are visible from the outside; some physical, mental, or neurological conditions that can challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities are not obvious to others, which can lead to misperceptions, misunderstandings, and judgements. The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For, With and By Persons with Disabilities,” which calls for re-energized efforts by Member States, the United Nations system, civil society and the global community of persons with disabilities, through enhanced actions and international cooperation, to make the SDGs a reality for, with, and by persons with disabilities.

UConn has a strong commitment to expanding inclusion for people with disabilities through the Center for Students with Disabilities. UConn also promotes awareness through academic programs like the Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health and the Human and Developmental Sciences Families and Disabilities concentration, as well as academic centers like the Center for Excellence in the Study of Developmental Disabilities and the Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability, and it offers courses in Disability Studies in Storrs and Waterbury.

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. Every December 10^th, we acknowledge the importance of human rights.

UConn has a strong legacy of working to advance human rights. The Human Rights Institute (HRI), which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year, serves as a focal point for interdisciplinary educational and research programming. The Institute’s faculty advisory board, the Gladstein Committee, is made up of 48 faculty from across the university who conduct research and offer courses on a wide range of human rights issues. HRI houses an undergraduate major and minor in human rights, as well as a master of arts and graduate certificate in human rights. HRI’s Dodd Human Rights Impact awards the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights, as well as programming related to human rights education, democracy and dialogue, business and human rights, and human rights film and digital media.

Innovative research and educational programs centering human rights take place across campus – including in numerous units in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering, Law, and Social Work, as well as UConn Health. Student-oriented programming in the Human Rights and Action Learning Community, Community Outreach Alternative Breaks, and efforts of student organizations such as the Human Rights Symposium and Huskies for Human Rights deepen the work of human rights at UConn. The reach of human rights extends into our communities and beyond, particularly through the efforts of UConn Law’s Asylum and Human Rights Clinic and courses offered on human rights in high schools throughout Connecticut in the Early College Experience Program.

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. Recognized since 1990, this day raises awareness about the plight suffered by those who are homeless or housing insecure. Housing insecurity is an issue facing college students across the nation, including students at UConn. Students impacted by housing insecurity are especially vulnerable during long breaks, including Winter and Summer, where they might not have access to either housing or to campus dining facilities, which can also increase their food insecurity. The University has a few resources to assist students impacted by housing and food insecurity, including the Dean of Students Office, who has financial resources for students in crisis, and Off-Campus and Commuter Student Services.

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. Started by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, this festival celebrates family, community, and culture. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa are dedicated to one of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles): Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). These seven principles are represented by a kinara (candle holder) holding seven candles of red, green, and black, which families light each night before discussing that day’s value. On December 31, families join in karamu, a community feast. Some may wear traditional African clothing during the celebration. This year, the African American Cultural Center at Storrs will be holding its Kwanzaa celebration on Friday, 12/6, at 6:00 p.m. in the SU Ballroom (RM 330/331). The event is free, but please RSVP here.

Religious Holidays:

Advent (December 1 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. In Western churches, Advent begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30. Eastern Churches begin Advent 40 days before Christmas.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 9): The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic feast celebrating Mary’s conception without sin. Even though this feast day occurs in the liturgical season of Advent, which prepares for the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne.

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception asserts that, “from the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin.” 

Hanukkah or Chanukkah (Evening December 25 – January 2): 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. Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days because a single day’s supply of oil for the Temple menorah miraculously lasted eight full days. Often called the “Festival of Lights,” this holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the menorah – which represents light pushing out darkness – traditional foods, games, and gifts. Please visit the UConn Hillel website to view upcoming events that will be hosted.

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. Christmas was in the first group of federal holidays passed by Congress in 1870, along with New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.  Christians in the Orthodox tradition, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, celebrate Christmas on January 7th.

Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26 in Western Churches; December 27 in Eastern Churches): This Christian feast day commemorates Christianity’s first martyr. It is also an official public holiday in much of Europe and in countries associated with the British Commonwealth. In some countries, it is known as the second day of Christmas.

 We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodation. You can find information and guidance about academic accommodation 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

To the UConn Community

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 is Native American Heritage month (also known as “National American Indian Heritage Month” and “Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month”). First recognized by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and commemorated by every president since, this month honors the cultures, histories, and legacies of America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal nations that continue to thrive here today. It celebrates the traditions, languages, and stories of hundreds of Native nations and works to ensure that their histories and contributions endure. This month also acknowledges the painful history Native and Indigenous Peoples in the United States have faced, one marked by unjust federal policies and state-sanctioned campaigns of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror. It recognizes that the effects of this history are still felt today, as evidenced by the disproportionate effect the pandemic has had on Native and Indigenous communities and serves as a call to action to address persistent inequities.

UConn recognizes Native and Indigenous resilience and strength every day of the year. We acknowledge through the Land Acknowledgement Statement that our university sits on lands taken through violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror. We encourage reading this statement before any event held in UConn’s physical or digital spaces. UConn also serves as a vibrant hub for research, scholarship, and outreach among scholars, students, and Indigenous community members through the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative (NAISI). NAISI aims to become a center for the renewed presences of Indigenous Peoples in Connecticut, New England, and the entire Eastern region of the United States. We also honor the cultures, histories, and legacies of Native and Indigenous peoples through the Native American Cultural Programs (NACP), which provides programming, initiatives, resources, and trainings for the Native and Indigenous Peoples who make a home at UConn. Native and Indigenous students also find community at UConn through the Native American and Indigenous Student Association (NAISA).

We invite the entire UConn community to join us in commemorating Native American Heritage Month through the following events featured on the NACP website.

Federal and Cultural Holidays:

Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) (November 1-2): Día de los Muertos remembers lost loved ones, as well as ancestors, through food, music, and gatherings—it is a joyful celebration of their lives, rather than the mourning of their deaths. Originating in Mexico, it is celebrated worldwide by those with Mexican heritage. Traditions vary, but common traditions include “una ofrenda” (an altar) with flowers and food for the dead, individual offerings, and candles lit to help guide spirits back to their families.

National First-Generation Day (November 8): Since 2017, schools and universities across the country have dedicated this day to celebrating first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni. November 8th was selected to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which increased federal funding and resources to help level the playing field for communities underserved in higher education. Notably, HEA ushered in the federal TRIO programs that increase access, retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation, and underserved minority populations. UConn has two TRIO Programs: Student Support Services, which supports this mission, and McNair Programs, which prepares first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students for M.S. and Ph.D. studies in STEM disciplines.

World Freedom Day (November 9): World Freedom Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall. Established in 2001 by President George W. Bush, it celebrates freedom within democracy.

Veterans Day (November 11): Veterans Day pays tribute to all those who served in the United States Armed forces. It is separate from Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), which commemorates those who died while serving in the US military, and Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May), which honors those currently serving in the US military. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, which celebrated the cessation of hostilities during World War I that went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In 1954, this holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” to include veterans from all American wars.

UConn honors members of the US military and their families. The Office of Veterans and Military Programs (VAMP) will be holding its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11^th at 11am on Founders Green. All are invited and encouraged to join. VAMP also provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families who are attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans, and directing veterans to fully confidential mental and behavioral health assistance. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students with Disabilities which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status, and the Center for Career Development.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20): The Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who lost their lives to acts of anti-transgender violence. It raises public awareness about hate crimes directed at transgender and gender-diverse people and ensures that their lives are not forgotten. This is a day for expressing love and respect in the face of hatred or indifference. This day also helps raise awareness about issues the transgender and gender-diverse communities continue to face. UConn supports the transgender communities through the Rainbow Center, which provides spaces of refuge and community-building, as well as resources to help members of the transgender communities navigate life at UConn. Check their website and Instagram account for more.

Holodomor Memorial Day (November 23): Holodomor Memorial Day is commemorated each year on the fourth Saturday of November as a Day of Remembrance to remember the millions of Ukrainians who were starved to death in Ukraine in 1932 and 1933, many of whom were children. Through the years of 1932 – 1933, as a part of Stalin’s policies targeting Ukraine, wheat and other grains were forcibly exported to fund Stalin’s Five-Year Plan. During the height of Holodomor, 28,000 people died daily. 31% of those who died were under the age of 10. Holodomor Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who died, and, alongside the descendants of survivors, spreading awareness of this chapter in history. For more information, the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium hosts a comprehensive archive of educational materials, which can be found here.

National Day of Mourning (November 28): The National Day of Mourning, which takes place on the fourth Thursday of November every year, was established in 1970 by the United American Indians of New England as a day to honor and mourn Native and Indigenous people lost to genocide and colonialism, as well as to commemorate Native and Indigenous resilience and resistance. Every year, as a part of this commemoration, UAINE holds an outdoor speak-out and march at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, MA. Many participants also fast from sundown the day prior to the event, and break their fast following the march, as a gesture of both mourning and of solidarity. To read more about this event, please visit UAINE’s website.

Thanksgiving (November 28): Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. It is a day for expressing gratitude that, for many, is marked by family traditions, seeing loved ones, and kicking off the holiday season.

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day (November 30): On average, Native and Indigenous Women make 55 cents for every dollar made by white men of comparable skills and training (according to 2021 census data). This day marks the day that Native women need to work until they made what white men made in the previous year. On Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, activists, organizers, educators, and community members raise awareness and support causes that address this ongoing inequity.

Religious Holidays: November holds several significant religious holidays for members of the UConn Community:

Diwali (October 31 – November 1): Diwali is the festival of lights, a major festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. Although Diwali is a five-day celebration, the height of celebrations typically occurs on the third day – November 12th this year – which is the darkest day of the lunar month. Diwali is celebrated by billions of people around the world.  Though traditions may vary based on location and religious practice, the most common theme is the triumph of light over darkness. Diwali is generally a time to gather with families and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 1 and 2): These Christian holidays memorialize those who have died. All Saints’ Day commemorates all those who have reached heaven. Traditions vary by location and denomination, but it is celebrated by both Catholics and Protestants. Dates also vary; Western Christians celebrate on November 1st while Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate on the first Sunday following Pentecost. All Saints’ Day is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. All Souls’ Day is celebrated by the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox churches, and some Anglican churches, though the three churches have doctrinal differences about this day.

Jain New Year (November 2): Jains mark the New Year on the first day of the Hindu Month of Kartika, following the commencement of their Diwali celebration. This holiday marks the day that their founder, Mahavira, achieved moksha (salvation) in passing from his earthly life. On this day, Jains gather in the temple and perform the Snatra Puja ritual to worship the 24 Tirthankaras who founded their religion (Tirthankara is Sanskrit for “Ford-Maker,” a figure who has succeeded in crossing over life’s streams of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow). Mahavira is the last of the Tirthankaras.

Martyrdom of Guru Bahadur (November 24): This Sikh holiday commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who sacrificed his life to protect people—including people from faiths other than his own—from religious persecution. Guru Bahadur’s martyrdom reflects two important principals of the Sikh faith: standing up for faith—including faiths one does not agree with—and standing up for others.

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
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

To the UConn Community:

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 October:

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 Latine communities, as well as members of those culture’s achievements and contributions to the United States. First recognized as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, it was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. This month is observed from September 15 – the anniversary of Guatemalan, Honduran, El Salvadorian, Nicaraguan, and Costa Rican independence – through October 15. It also includes Día de la Raza on October 12, an alternative holiday to Columbus Day that celebrates and honors the peoples, traditions, and cultures destroyed by European colonization. This year’s theme is “Unidos: Inclusion for a Stronger Nation.”

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite the entire community to participate in the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center’s (PRLACC) events:

The Latino Vote: Tu Futuro, Tu Voz (October 1, 5:00 to 6:00pm, SU 438): Join us for a community conversation on the impact of the Latino vote! Speak with students and staff about civic engagement and learn how to register to vote. Food and refreshments will be provided!

Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert (October 3, 6:30pm, Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts): Disney Concerts and Amp Worldwide present Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert, a cross-national tour where Encanto lovers of all ages can sing along with their favorite Grammy-Award winning songs performed by the live band, Banda De La Casita, while watching the full film. For tickets, please visit: jorgensen.uconn.edu.

The Joy Revolution – Keynote Speaker: Gabby Rivera (October 4, 1:00pm, Student Union Ballroom, 3^rd Floor): PRLACC and the Rainbow Center are excited to announce our keynote in celebration of the Latine Heritage Month and LGBTQIA+ History Month. We will host Gabby Rivera on campus for her talk, The Joy Revolution. Gabby is the author of Juliet Takes a Breath and the Marvel comic series, America. The program is part of the Rainbow Center’s Symposium and is free and open to students, staff, and faculty. A book signing will follow her talk.

‘Mi Gente, Let’s Get Personal:’ with Lyric Vargas (October 8, 2:00pm to 3:00pm, UConn-Waterbury, MPR Floor 1): A café con leche style talk with poet and UConn student Jourdelyn ‘Lyric’ Vargas. Lyric will perform pieces of her work and share the origins and inspiration for her book.

“El Bori” Food Truck (October 3, 9 and 15^th 11:00am to 2:00pm, stationed on Fairfield Way) will offer Spanish food such as plantains, rice and everything spice. This is a collaboration with the Association of Latine/a/o Faculty and Staff.

Also be sure to check out events held by La Comunidad Intelectual, a learning community that works to create a welcoming space on campus for students who identify as Latina/o/x and/or who are interested in issues that affect the Latin American and Caribbean communities. Check out their Instagram page for upcoming events!

German American Heritage Month: German American Heritage Month honors the contributions made by German Americans, the largest ancestry group in the United States. The first German immigrants came to the United States on October 6, 1683, when thirteen families settled in Pennsylvania. Americans commemorated the anniversary of these families’ arrival with National German American Day in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, though the holiday fell out of favor following World War I. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6^th as German American Day in 1983 to celebrate the 300^th anniversary and to strengthen the United States’ relationship with Germany.

Italian American Heritage Month: Over five million Italians immigrated to the U.S. between 1820 and 2000, and there are currently over 26 million Americans of Italian descent living in the US. Proclaimed in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush and Congress, this month honors the achievements, contributions, and successes of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. Each October, millions of Americans of Italian descent come together to reflect on their histories, traditions, and values. Celebrations typically include cultural festivals and parades, the largest of which is held in New York City.

LGBTQIA+ History Month: LGBT History Month was inaugurated in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson, to celebrate the national and international contributions made by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Wilson chose October because schools are in session and because October already has several LGBTQIA+ traditions, like National Coming Out Day (10/11), International Pronouns Day (10/19), Intersex Awareness Day (10/26), and Asexual Awareness Week (last full week of October). LGBTQIA+ History Month that provides possibility models, builds community, and emphasizes the continued importance of civil rights.

ODI invites you to join in celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month through several events hosted by the Rainbow Center, including:

The Rainbow Center Symposium (October 4, 9am to 4pm, Student Union Ballroom 330/331): The Rainbow Center (RC) is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Rainbow Center Symposium during LGBTQIA+ History Month. The Rainbow Center is looking for presentations/workshop proposals. Topics should be in line with its mission and either 60 minutes or 90 minutes. Interested presenters, please fill out a program proposal form via this link.

See the Rainbow Center’s events page and Instagram for more.

Awareness Week/Month Celebrations:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM): During DVAM, victim advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence and connect with others working to create change. DVAM began in 1981 as a “Day of Unity” hosted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was commemorated in October 1987, and Congress officially recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October of 1989.

UConn’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) is dedicated to addressing and preventing all forms of sexual violence through education, outreach, and advocacy. VAWPP offers a range of workshops which cover several topics related to the issues of sexual violence. These workshops “emphasize a primary prevention approach that engages all stakeholders in the campus community to examine their role in ending sexual violence by addressing its root causes in oppression.” For more information about VAWPP and to see a full list of its workshops and resources, consult the website here.

UConn’s Office of Institutional Equity offers several resources for anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence, including domestic violence confidential advocacy as well as urgent and medical care. For information about looking for medical or counseling services, academic or work support, assistance with transportation or financial aid, or to learn more about investigations, consult the Title IX office’s website for additional information.

For student-led support, In-Power is a student-led support group dedicated to building a gender-inclusive community that welcomes victim-survivors of sexual assault, stalking, and/or intimate partner violence at any point in their healing process. Through a focus on empowerment, autonomy, and resilience, the group aims to help participants claim agency over their own stories and experiences, as well as the direction of the group. The group works through a variety of discussion topics and self-care methods. If you are interested in joining the group, please reach out to facilitators at in-power@uconn.edu.

National ADHD Awareness Month: October is National ADHD Awareness Month. ADHD Awareness Month is dedicated to educating the public about ADHD, promoting research about ADHD, and helping to develop communities of support and professional development for those with ADHD. This October, National ADHD Awareness Month is partnering with organizations around the world with the shared global goal of dissemination of reliable information about ADHD and its treatments. The 2024 ADHD Awareness Month theme in the United States is “Awareness is Key.”

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM): The event began in 1985 as a weeklong awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with Imperial Chemical Industries. It later became a monthlong event. The goal of NBCAM is to promote screening and prevention of the disease that affects one in eight women in the U.S. every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. For information about breast cancer care services, visit the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: In 1945, Congress designated the first week of October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” in part, to help disabled WWII veterans find employment. Since then, the concept of disability has shifted. Congress dropped the word “physically” in the 1970s to provide a more inclusive view. In 1973, Congress passed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which protects the rights of persons with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Section 504 protects the rights not only of individuals with visible disabilities but also those whose disabilities might not be apparent.

Over the next few decades, activists and educators helped shift national understanding of ability, leading to more inclusive views about type of disability, greater recognition of the intersections between identity and ability, and stronger legislation to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. In 1990, the United States passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which made it illegal to discriminate along the basis of identity and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in the United States. This month celebrates these accomplishments while also raising awareness of barriers that still need to be addressed. Find more about the month at the Department of Labor’s website.

UConn has a strong commitment to expanding inclusion through the Center for Students with Disabilities. UConn also promotes awareness through academic programs like the Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health and the Human and Developmental Sciences Families and Disabilities concentration, as well as academic centers like the Center for Excellence in the Study of Developmental Disabilities and the Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability, and through courses on Disability Studies at the Storrs and Waterbury campuses.

In addition, we are excited to announce the formation of a new **Disability Affinity Group** at UConn! This group aims to create a supportive community for UConn employees who identify with a disability/as disabled or have an interest in disability-related topics. Our mission is to foster a welcoming environment where we can share experiences, support one another, and advocate for inclusivity across our university. If you are interested in joining or would like more information about our Disability Affinity Group, please reach out to Erin Scanlon (erin.scanlon@uconn.edu). We invite you to join us!

National Transfer Student Week: The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) declares the third week of each October as National Transfer Student Week (NTSW). NISTS organizes National Transfer Student Week to celebrate transfer students, educate others about the diverse needs of the transfer population, and recognize the professionals who support them on their journeys. This year’s National Transfer Student Week theme is “Unlocking Potential: Keys to the Transfer Journey.” This theme celebrates the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that transfer students bring to campuses. It also recognizes the “keys” that transfer students already possess, such as their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and connections to community.

Cultural Holidays:

International Day of Older Persons (October 1): The United Nations sets aside October 1 to draw attention to the challenges of population aging in the twenty-first century and to promote societal development for people of all ages. Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a monumental document in the history of human rights. Written by representatives from around the world with different legal, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, it is the first document articulating the fundamental human rights that are meant to be universally protected. In recognition of this milestone and looking to a future that delivers on the promise to ensure that all persons, including all older persons, fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, this year’s theme is “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.” On October 7^th, the UN will host an event to bring together experts to discuss policies, legislation, and practices that strengthen care and support systems for older persons. It will also highlight the urgent need to expand training and educational opportunities in geriatrics and gerontology, address the global shortage of care workers, and recognize the diverse contributions of caregivers. In addition, the commemoration will also emphasize the importance of protecting the human rights of both caregivers and care recipients, promoting person-centered approaches to care that respect the dignity, beliefs, needs, and privacy of older persons, and for the right to make decisions about their care and quality of their lives.

UConn supports senior citizens through educational initiatives, including Senior Citizen Audits for learners over 62, UConn Extension’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) for retirees and other adults from all walks of life, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), based at the UConn Waterbury campus, part of a national network where adults over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners.

German American Heritage Day (October 6): This day honors the contributions German Americans have made to the country. It is recognized on this day to commemorate the October 6, 1683, arrival of the first German immigrants to the United States.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 14): Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples in the United States and across the world. It honors America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal nations that continue to thrive here today, recognizing their contributions and acknowledging their resilience and strength in the face of a centuries-long campaign of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror wrought upon Native and Indigenous communities in the United States and beyond. Currently, 14 states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and in 2021, President Biden proclaimed it a national holiday. The State of Connecticut does not currently mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day, though several towns and communities within Connecticut celebrate it, including Mansfield.

UConn recognizes Native and Indigenous resilience and strength every day of the year. We acknowledge that our university sits on lands taken through the long campaigns of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror through our Land Acknowledgement Statement. We encourage reading this statement before any event held on UConn’s spaces. We also honor the cultures, histories, and legacies of Native and Indigenous peoples every day, primarily through the Native American Cultural Programs (NACP), which provides programming, initiatives, resources, and trainings for the Native and Indigenous Peoples who make a home at UConn. NACP offers several events to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day during Indigenous Peoples’ Week, including:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebrations (October 14, 11:00am to 6:00pm, NACP Office, SU 103): NACP will be having various events all day starting at 11 a.m. to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and kick Indigenous Peoples’ Week off!

Paint Your Culture (11:00am to 1:00pm): Come paint anything that represents your culture on a canvas and relax!

Lunch with NACP (2:00pm to 3:00pm): Take a break from the day and enjoy a meal!

Columbus Day (October 14): Columbus Day was made a federal holiday in the United States in 1968, set to begin in 1971. In 1934, Congress passed a statute requesting an annual proclamation from the President. According to the Congressional Research Service, Congress believed that “by commemorating Columbus’s voyage…the nation would be honoring the courage and determination which enabled generations of immigrants from many nations to find freedom and opportunity in America.” It has especially become a point of honoring Italian American heritage in the United States. While President Franklin Delano Roosevelt made such a proclamation that year, Columbus Day was not made a federal holiday until President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation in 1968.

Religious Holidays:

Rosh Hashanah: (Sundown October 2 – Sundown October 4): Rosh Hashanah, which is Hebrew for “first of the year,” is one of the holiest days in Judaism, celebrating the New Year, the birthday of the Universe, and the creation of Adam and Eve. It is part of the High Holidays with Yom Kippur, which comes 10 days later (September 24^th – September 25^th). Rosh Hashanah is a time of rejoicing and introspection; it offers an occasion to celebrate the completion of another year while also providing an opportunity to take stock of one’s life and contemplate the upcoming year. Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah is observed with sounding a ram’s horn on both days (unless either day falls on Shabbat), and with sweet foods like challah bread with raisins or apples dipped in honey to symbolize wishes for a sweet new year.

Durga Puja: (October 9 – October 13): Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrated in September or October, most notably in Kolkata, in West Bengal of India, but also in other parts of India and amongst the Bengali diaspora. It marks the ten-day worship of the Hindu mother-goddess Durga. In the months preceding the festival, small artisanal workshops sculpt images of Durga and her family using unfired clay pulled from the Ganga River. The worship of the goddess then begins on the inaugural day of Mahalaya, when eyes are painted onto the clay images to bring the goddess to life. It ends on the tenth day, when the images are immersed in the river from where the clay came. Thus, the festival has also come to signify ‘home-coming’ or a seasonal return to one’s roots.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) (Evening October 11 – October 12): Yom Kippur is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. It marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are known as Judaism’s “High Holy Days.”

Sukkot (Sundown October 16 – Sundown October 23): Sukkot is a Jewish festival of thanksgiving and harvest commemorating the dwelling of the ancient Israelites in booths in the wilderness.

UConn Hillel will hold services and meals for this year’s High Holiday celebrations, including Erev Rosh Hashanah services and dinner immediately following on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 pm; Tashlich and Lunch on Friday, October 4 at 12:30 pm; and Erev Yom Kippur services on Friday, October 11 at 6:30 pm and on Saturday, October 12 at 9:30am. These events are free and open to the entire UConn community. The full calendar of services and meals is on UConn Hillel’s homepage.

Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly) (October 23 – October 25) and Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing in Torah”) (October 24 – October 25) are two holidays that come at the conclusion of Sukkot – in Israel they are combined into one holiday; in the rest of the world, they are celebrated over two consecutive days. These two holidays anticipate the coming year with prayer and engaging with the Torah. Simchat Torah celebrates finishing the yearly cycle of reading the whole Torah and immediately begin again at the beginning.

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
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs