To the UConn Community:

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

Labor Day (September 5^th): This federal holiday, always held on the first Monday of September, celebrates the American labor movement and pays tribute to American workers.  While this day is set aside to celebrate improvements made to working conditions in the United States, September also has three other labor-related holidays that remind us of the continued need to address race- and gender-based disparities in pay:

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day (September 8^th): On average, Native and Indigenous Women make 60 cents for every dollar made by white men of comparable skills and training.  This day brings awareness to the fact that Native and Indigenous women would have to work 21 months to earn the same amount that a white man in a comparable position earns in 12 months – she would have to work through September 8^th of the following year to earn the same amount.

International Equal Pay Day (September 18^th): This day was first acknowledged in 2019 to illuminate persistent pay discrimination and wage gaps that disproportionately affect women and people of color across all occupations. Unequal pay leads to lower wealth accumulation and has generational impacts.

National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (September 21^st): 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.

ODI believes that working to address the systems that create inequity for any group will help address the systems that create inequity for every group.  UConn provides professional development resources for these and other identity-based groups who face unique challenges on entering the workforce.  See more at the Center for Career Development.

Hispanic Heritage Month: (September 15^th – October 15^th): Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the many diverse cultures and histories within Hispanic and Latinx/a/o 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^th – the anniversary of Guatemalan, Honduran, El Salvadorian, Nicaraguan, and Costa Rican independence – through October 15^th.  It also includes Día de la Raza on October 12^th, 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:

• Latinx/a/o Heritage Month Open House: Thursday, September 15, 3:00PM – 5:00PM, Student Union room 438. Join us for an open house to kick-off the celebration of our Heritage Month.  Learn about the exciting programs PRLACC is having for this academic year, meet our Latinx/a/o undergraduate and graduate students, savor delicious Latinx/a/o appetizers while admiring our historical timeline to keep celebrating our 50^th Los esperamos!
• Puerto Rican Student Movement: Wednesday, September 21, 5:00 PM – 7:00PM, Student Union room 438. The LxSLC Council will be hosting an event to share the history behind and showcase videos about the Center.
• Que Bonita Bandera: Thursday, September 29, 6:00PM – 8:00PM, Student Union room 438. Come show some pride, paint your flag, and de-stress!
• Illuminating the Path. Thursday, October 6, at 7:00 PM in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. As part of our 50^th anniversary, we have commissioned a musical piece by composer Paola Marquez to be premiered at UConn, featuring our own alumna Angie Durrell ’11 (violin).  The musicians will also include two other UConn Alumni:  Jonathan Garcia ’12 (trumpet) and Joseph Bush ’15 (piano). This event will include a concert to highlight a musical soundscape through Latin America and the Caribbean, and a conversation with the composer. See more at uconn.edu.

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 Latinx/a/o and/or who are interested in issues that affect the Latin American and Caribbean communities. Check out their Instagram page for upcoming events!

We also invite the entire community to UConn Hartford’s event, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” Co-sponsored by UConn School of Law and UConn School of Social Work, this in-person event will be held on Thursday, September 15^th, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in the Hartford Public Library’s CCC Rooms. Please RSVP by September 13^th.

ODI and the Provost’s Office also believe that UConn is stronger for the inclusion of Hispanic and Latinx/a/o peoples, cultures, and traditions.  The University has resources to help these communities navigate the unique challenges in higher education settings, including PRLACC, the Association of Latinx/a/o Faculty and Staff (ALFAS), and the Center for Career Development. UConn is also proud of El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies, which supports the developing of hemispheric and Latinx/a/o-centered perspectives and of La Comunidad Intelectual, a learning community that recognizes and critically examines Latinx/a/o, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures, customs, and traditions at UConn and beyond.

National Recovery Month: September is National Recovery Month, a time set aside to assist the road to recovery for the more than 20 million Americans who are experiencing one or more substance use disorders. This month not only educates Americans about the substance use treatments and mental health services that can help those with substance use disorders live a healthier and more rewarding life, but also celebrates the gains made by those already in recovery – gains that often go unrecognized in wider conversations.

The theme of National Recovery Month 2022 is Recovery for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community. The goal of this month is to reinforce the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, that treatment is effective, and that people can and do recover. This month reminds us that no one is alone in the journey through recovery. While every journey is different, we are all in this together. 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 and UConn’s Recovery Support Services page for resources, trainings, and opportunities for support on your journey.

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

We also recognize that UConn occupies lands taken from Native and Indigenous peoples accounted for in the Land Acknowledgement statement, and we encourage reading this statement out loud before any event held on university property, incorporating it in UConn websites, and including it in course syllabi. Furthermore, we note that the University continues to profit off of sale of other land taken by violent dispossession under the auspices of the 1862 Morrill Act. To see UConn’s participation in this legacy, visit the Land Grab CT website, a resource put together by UConn’s Greenhouse Studios in conjunction with the Native American Cultural Programs (NACP), the Native American and Indigenous Students Association (NAISA), and the Dodd Impact Initiative at the Human Rights Institute.

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

We would like to take this opportunity to remind military service members that you are important to UConn, which recognizes the unique challenges you face in higher education. The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, and providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status. VAMP also works closely with state-based Veterans Centers that provide fully confidential mental and behavioral health assistance.

Rosh Hashanah: (Sundown September 25^th – Sundown September 27^th): 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 (October 4^th-5^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.

UConn Hillel will hold several events for this year’s Rosh Hashanah celebration, including Erev Rosh Hashanah services and dinner on Sunday, September 25^th at 6:30 PM; Tashlich and Lunch on Monday, September 26^th at 9:30 AM; evening service and dinner at 6:00 PM; and services and lunch on Tuesday at 9:30 AM. These events are free and open to the entire UConn community. Please visit Hillel’s website for more.

Suicide Prevention Month and Week: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) host World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 to focus attention on the problem of suicide worldwide. The week leading up to this day is Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide is a particular concern in the United States – it is the second leading cause of death for 10- to 34-year-olds. This month serves as a moment for creating awareness about suicide, to inspire people to learn how to help save lives in their community, and to learn to have authentic and caring conversations about suicide and mental health.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health or having suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone. The University has resources to help through times of crisis. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion has also gathered a partial list of mental health resources for students, staff, and faculty at all five UConn campuses, as well as for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and veteran communities.  There is also help available whenever you need it and wherever you may be. UConn has several resources for getting immediate support.  As of summer 2022, the federal government has also instituted a new national suicide prevention hotline, 988, that can be called for immediate support 24/7.

Suicide prevention should not be limited to a single day, week, or month, but should receive attention every day. For those who are struggling, please remember that you matter and that there are resources dedicated to helping you in your time of need.

We welcome the observance of each of these celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodations. You can find information about guidance on academic accommodations for religious observations on the Provost Office’s Religious Observation Calendar.

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

Sincerely,

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Anne D’Alleva
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health

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 July:

Disability Pride Day and Month (July 26^th): In the United States Disability Pride month is celebrated in July to commemorate the anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), which provides civil rights protections to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. In 2008, the ADA became the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), which expanded the definition of “disability” in order to simplify the process for establishing a disability when seeking ADA protections. July 26^th is celebrated as Disability Pride Day in honor of the ADA while Disability Pride Month provides an annual observance to promote visibility for the 160 million Americans with a disability and to raise awareness about the pride felt by people with disabilities. Disability Pride Month explores the lives of people with disabilities in positive ways while also endeavoring to create spaces for people with disabilities to explore their own lives in positive and public ways.

UConn seeks to ensure that students with disabilities have the same access to programs, opportunities, and activities as all others at UConn. The primary pathway for providing that access comes from the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which offers a variety of programs and services for students with disabilities, including at UConn Health. They’re also excited to roll out a new platform for MyAccess, which allows students to more easily request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations.  UConn also 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. Faculty and staff can also request OIE’s training to increase awareness and understanding of disability access and responsibilities at UConn. UConn also offers a Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health

Eid al-Adha (July 9^th – 13^th): Eid al-Adha is the second and holiest Islamic Eid festival of the year. Known as the “Festival of the Sacrifice” – or colloquially as “Big Eid” – Eid al-Adha honors the willingness of Ibrahim (known as Abraham in the Christian and Jewish traditions) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah; before Ibrahim carried out the command, however, Allah produced a lamb for him to sacrifice instead. Traditions vary from place to place, but celebrations typically include congregational prayers at a mosque, the sharing of meat, gift-giving, and inviting members of other faiths to opportunities that better acquaint them with Islam and Muslim culture. UConn does not have any specific Eid celebrations in place, but has several opportunities for building community through the Ahlul Bayt Student Association, the Black Muslim Association, the Muslim Student Association (Storrs, Hartford, and Stamford), the Islamic Center at UConn, Middle Eastern Cultural Programs, and Salaam, the Asian American Cultural Center’s program to raise awareness about islamophobia.

French American Heritage Month: In the United States, July is designated as the month to celebrate the significant contributions made to the United States by people of French descent. Approximately 12.5 million Americans are of French or French Canadian decent, including 750,000 Creole peoples. This month also celebrates historical events that cemented the important relationship between the United States and France.

 Independence Day (July 4^th): The 4^th 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 4^th also provides an opportunity to celebrate the diverse peoples and cultures who make up our nation.

Muharram (July 29^th – August 28^th): Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, second only to Ramadan in importance and holiness. Many Muslims celebrate the first day of Muharram as the Islamic New Year (July 29^th) marking the start of the lunar year. Muslims celebrate the new year by visiting the mosque, praying for well-being, and spending time with loved ones. They also traditionally cook something sweet to share when breaking their fast. Muharram also includes Ashura (August 7^th – 8^th), which mourns the martyrdom of Ḥusayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad. Traditions and celebrations vary across locations and between Shia and Sunni peoples – Sunnis consider this a day of respect but do not take part in mourning traditions.

We welcome the celebration of each of these observances on our campuses. To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the remainder of the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events.

Sincerely,

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Anne D’Alleva
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Associate Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health

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 June:

National Caribbean American Heritage Month:  This heritage month was established in 2006 to create and disseminate knowledge about the contributions of Caribbean people to the United States.  At UConn, we create and disseminate knowledge of Caribbean contributions, customs, and cultures through El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies and Homer Babbidge Library’s collection on Latin  American and Caribbean Studies.  UConn students, staff, and faculty can find more programming, resources, and spaces of belonging at the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center.

Father’s Day (June 19^th): In the United States, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. While other countries have similar days of commemoration, dates and traditions may vary. In the US, Father’s Day was created in 1910 to complement Mother’s Day; its founder, Sonora Smart Dodd, wanted to honor her father, who raised six children as a widower. It was made into a federal holiday in 1972. This June, we honor all paternal figures, caregivers, and mentors whose contributions enrich our lives.

Flag Day (June 14^th): Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American Flag in June of 1777 and coincides with the birthdate of the American military in 1775. Though not a federal holiday, June 14^th provides an opportunity to reflect on the ideals the flag stands for. In particular, it provides an opportunity to reflect on diversity, one of America’s founding ideals and greatest strengths.

It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made to preserve those ideals. The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, and providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students for Disabilities, which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status. VAMP also works closely with state-based Veterans Centers that provide fully confidential mental and behavioral health assistance.

Juneteenth (June 19^th): Juneteenth, also known as America’s Second Independence Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is observed on June 19^th, the day in 1865 that Union troops arrived in the last slave-owning community in the country to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation issued more than two years earlier. Though Juneteenth has been celebrated by African American communities since the late 1800s, it only became an official federal holiday in 2021, when President Biden made it the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. This year, the Connecticut legislature designated Juneteenth as an official state holiday, starting in 2023.

Juneteenth celebrates African American achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. Celebrations typically involve guest speakers or lectures to promote education and self-improvement; community elders who recount events in the past; prayer services; barbecues; and parades. More than anything, Juneteenth is about being in a supportive community. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion prefers not to limit celebrations of Black and African American communities to June; rather, we believe in celebrating the community year-round, including through the African American Cultural Center and the Africana Studies Institute, our leading spaces of community building and education about the history, culture, contributions, and experiences of people of African descent in the United States. This year, the UConn Library has put together excellent resources for education and community building in honor of Juneteenth. Make sure to check out their list of Juneteenth and Black cultural events near you!

Most of all, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom. It serves as a reminder of the moral stain of slavery on our country and raises awareness of the continued legacy of systemic racism and inequality. It also provides an opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; as a community, we must pledge to continue to lift every voice in support of the abolition of hate and racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the United States. Pride affirms the many identities within the LGBTQIA+ community while creating spaces for individuals to show up as their most authentic selves. This month celebrates LGBTQIA+ cultures, achievements, and activism while also remembering violence committed against this community and raising awareness about persistent inequalities facing every community. Pride was first celebrated in 1970 on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a watershed moment in modern activism in which LGBTQIA+ individuals – many of them Black and Brown – protested police brutality and shifted conversations about human rights in the United States. Instrumental to the Stonewall Uprising were Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, the first Trans Women of Color to lead an organization in the United States. Johnson and Rivera worked dedicated their lives to social justice, amplifying the voices of People of Color and low-income Trans communities in the struggle for equality.

While the LGBTQIA+ movement is often portrayed as a movement of white gay males, Johnson and Rivera remind us that the movement’s social justice work was driven by Black and Brown activists. Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ activists like Johnson and Rivera have been instrumental in police reform, mental health awareness, advocating for sexual health and healthy attitudes about sexuality, and raising awareness about bodily rights and gendered and sexualized violence. Pride provides an opportunity for greater unity, visibility, and equality for the LGBTQIA+ community and for continuing to advocate for human rights. This month, we celebrate all that has been achieved in advocating for human rights but recognize that much remains to be done.

There is no singular way to celebrate Pride; dates, traditions, and length of celebrations change by location. Typically, celebrations involve marches, speeches, outdoor festivals, concerts, performances, and workshops. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion prefers not to limit celebrations of the LGBTQIA+ community to June; rather, we believe in celebrating the community year-round. The Rainbow Center has a number of events, programs, and initiatives to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, including the Rainbow Center Symposium in October; Platonic Stargazing (an event to introduce different identities on the asexual and aromantic spectrum) in October; the Drag Show in April; the Rainbow Center Talent Show in April; Sapphic Speed Dating; and free Hep C and HIV testing. We join in celebrating the LGBTQIA+ members of our community, and in working alongside them to continue advocating for human rights!

PRLACC’s 50^th Anniversary (June 11^th): Though not a federal holiday, June 11^th commemorates the 50^th anniversary of UConn’s Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Center, which improves the status of Latinx students and promotes awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the richness and diversity of Latinx individuals and Latin American cultures. Come join PRLACC for the Latin Dance Cabaret! See the Jorgensen’s website for the most up-to-date ticket and COVID policy information.

Shavuot (June 4^th – 6^th ): The Festival of Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the grain harvest for summer and commemorates the day G-d gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai seven weeks into the Exodus from Egypt. Shavuot occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (usually late May or early July), 50 days after the first seder meal of Passover. Celebrations include going to the synagogue to hear the 10 Commandments, having a festive meal with dairy foods, and staying up all night to learn the Torah. Readings from the Book of Ruth are emphasized for Shavuot.

World Refugee Day (June 20^th): World Refugee Day honors the strength and courage of refugees. It encourages public awareness and support for people forced to flee their homelands because of war, terror, natural disaster, or other crises. Created by the United Nations in 2001 to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the UN’s 1951 Convention Related to the Status of Refugees, World Refugee Day is an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for refugees’ plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. This year’s focus is on the right to seek safety – every person on this planet has the right to seek safety, whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee. People forced from their homes should be treated with dignity.

The last few years have made the refugee crisis more urgent in the United States. In addition to violence that has caused Afghanis, Syrians, Ukrainians, and other peoples to seek safety in the United States, the hardships in coming to the US have increased, whether because of federal policies reducing the number of resettlement agencies or increased public resistance to accepting refugees due to fears about COVID. Seeking safety is only the first step in an arduous journey for most refugees, who have little say in where they are relocated to and have to wait long periods of time as they navigate complicated bureaucracies – often in settlement camps that are dangerous and ill-suited for long-term habitation. The last few years have made refugees especially vulnerable.

The University of Connecticut is deeply concerned about the refugee crisis. The University has several resources available to help those whose quest for safety led them to Connecticut, including UConn Law’s Asylum and Human Rights Clinic and the Human Rights Institute’s partnership with nonprofit services like Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants. The Human Rights Institute leads UConn’s educational resources, including through the Human Rights Major for undergraduates. UConn Health also provides educational resources about providing care for refugee and immigrant patients. Students can also get involved through the Huskies for Refugees club.

We welcome the celebration of each of these observances on our campuses. To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the remainder of the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events.

Sincerely,

Anne and Frank

Anne D’Alleva
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer