AACC 2024-25 Programming

September 4, 2024

Reaffirming UConn’s Commitment to DEI: Important Updates

August 28, 2024

Dear UConn Community,

As we begin this new academic year, we are excited to welcome both new and returning Huskies to our campuses. Our unified goal is for every student, faculty, and staff member to feel a sense of belonging and to continue to build a community of care that reflects UConn Nation. With this commitment in mind, we are writing to share important updates regarding UConn’s cultural centers and programs and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).

At a time when many institutions are scaling back their services to support diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are committed to taking deliberate steps to strengthen ours. These changes align with one of the key pillars of our strategic plan: continuing to build a stronger, more inclusive university. By doing so, we are actively working to enhance our support for our entire UConn community.

Reporting Change of Cultural Centers and Programs to the Division of Academic Affairs

Our cultural centers and programs including the African American Cultural Center, Asian American Cultural Center, Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, Rainbow Center, Women’s Center, Native American Cultural Programs and Middle Eastern Cultural Programs, previously under the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, will now report to the Division of Academic Affairs under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Success, Dr. Tadarrayl Starke. This change is a homecoming of sorts, as the cultural centers and programs have deep roots at UConn, and for a number of years resided under the Provost’s Office.

This strategic change underscores our continued commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our students. By integrating the cultural centers and programs with the Division of Academic Affairs, we are expanding our capacity to support these vital resources and strengthening their connections with academic and student success units. We are also prioritizing a renewed focus on connecting our cultural centers and programs to our regional campuses, fostering a sense of belonging for all students across campuses.

The cultural centers and programs will continue to maintain a strong dotted line reporting relationship with the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). The CDO will collaborate closely with the Provost’s Office to ensure that our cultural centers and programs continue to thrive, and that holistic and equitable student success remains a central priority.

Redefining the Office for Diversity and Inclusion

Under the leadership of Interim CDO Jeffrey Hines, ODI will focus on advocating for equity and inclusion, education, and fostering a sense of belonging across all university units for faculty, staff, and students. ODI will continue to work collaboratively with academic departments and administrative units to develop strategic plans and frameworks to advance our diversity initiatives and will continue to create and implement training and education programs. ODI will maintain a close partnership with the cultural centers and programs in working with both the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Success and Vice Provost for Graduate Education to support DEI initiatives for both undergraduate and graduate students.

It is also important to distinguish ODI’s functions from those of the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE). While ODI focuses on advocacy, education, and training, OIE oversees compliance with state and federal equal opportunity and civil rights laws and administers the university’s non-discrimination policies. While their functions differ, ODI and OIE work together to support our university community in myriad ways and both are imperative to our ability to function as a large public university and a diverse and inclusive workplace for thousands of employees.

Our Path Forward

The cultural centers and programs reporting line changes are in effect as of today, and we will be spending the next several months working through this transition together. To this effect, we will host a Community Conversation in the Rainbow Center in Storrs on September 5, 2024, from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Please join us if you are available to discuss our collective path forward.

We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the dedication and passion of the directors and staff of the cultural centers and programs who work tirelessly to foster and maintain a place of belonging for our students, staff, and faculty in a constantly evolving world. We are excited about the opportunities that are ahead of us and our ability to lean into this important work.

Sincerely,

Anne D’Alleva, Ph.D.

Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Jeffrey Hines, M.D.

Interim Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Connecticut

Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health

August 2024 Heritage Celebrations

August 5, 2024

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 August:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Purple Heart Day (August 7): This day honors American soldiers who were wounded or killed while serving their country on or after April 5, 1917. The veteran community is important to UConn. 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.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9): The United Nations sets aside every August 9^th to commemorate the world’s Indigenous Peoples and to raise awareness about the need to recognize their identities, ways of life, territories, and natural resources, all of which have been violated throughout history. This year’s theme is “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to Self-Determination in the Context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Emphasizing the Voices of Indigenous Youth.” Indigenous youth are actively exercising their right to self-determination by being change agents in key areas like climate action and the green transition, mobilizing for justice, and intergenerational connections. To learn about the advocacy of Native and Indigenous young people at UConn, visit the Native American Cultural Programs website.

National Senior Citizens Day (August 21): Created by Presidential Proclamation in 1988, National Senior Citizens Day honors and shows appreciation to the elders in our communities. It also raises awareness of the need to continue supporting our elders as they face new struggles from ageing; senior citizens often face increased health issues and may be economically vulnerable. The best ways to celebrate this day are to visit the elders in your family and community or to volunteer at senior care centers, meal delivery services, and other senior-based programs. The University of Connecticut supports senior citizens through free 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 (OLII) where learners over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners.

Women’s Equality Day (August 26): Women’s Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, guaranteeing that every American can vote, regardless of gender. Made into a national holiday in 1971, this day celebrates activists’ achievements in promoting equity and equality for women. It also serves as a reminder of the need to continually advocate for gender-based equity and equality, as well as the need to dedicate resources to promoting and empowering women, including by combatting sexual- and gender-based violence. At UConn, these imperatives are carried out by the Women’s Center, the Rainbow Center, the Title IX office, the UConn Foundation, the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, the Center for Career Development, and the UConn Health Women’s Center, among other unit- and department-level resources.

Religious Holidays:

Muharram (July 7 – August 5): 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 7^th – 8^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 (July 16^th – 17^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.

Lughnasadh (August 1): This Pagan and Wiccan festival designates the start of the harvest season.

The Fast of Tammuz (July 23): It commemorates the day of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and by the Romans in 70 CE. It is a solemn fast day, observed from dawn until dark, and it also marks other calamities in Jewish history.

The “Three Weeks”: The Fast of Tammuz begins a period of three weeks of mourning for the destruction of the two Temples which were the center of Jewish religious and ritual life for most of the first millennium BCE. During this period, it is traditional to practice the rites of mourning a loved one, including refraining from listening to music, taking a haircut, or getting married. The three weeks culminate with the fast on the 9^th of Av.

The 9^th of Av / Tish’a be-Av (August 12 – August 13): This is a major fast that is observed this year beginning at nightfall on August 12^th and concluding 25 hours later on August 13^th. It commemorates the destruction, respectively, of Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. It is one of the most solemn days in the Jewish calendar, and as such, it commemorates other historic tragedies, from the Crusader massacres of Jewish communities in Europe in 1096 through the Holocaust.

Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15): This day is widely celebrated among Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians as the day Jesus’s mother, Mary, ascended to heaven in both body and soul. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics. Celebrations might include festivals, processions, and planting a Mary Garden.

Arbaeen (August 25): The day marking the end of the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura for Muslims.

Krishna Janmashtami (August 26): Also known as Gokulashtami, this two-day festival marks the birth of Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu deities. Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing devotional songs, praying together, preparing special foods, holding night vigils, and visiting temples. Major Krishna temples organize a recitation of “Bhagavata Purana” and “Bhagavad Gita” or drama events “Rasa Lila” and “Krishna Lila.”

Paryushana Parva (August 31 – September 10): This Jain observance is a time of intensive study, reflection, and purification. It ends with a final day of confession and asking for forgiveness. It lasts 8 to 10 days.

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.

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

July 2024 Heritage Celebrations

July 2, 2024

To the UConn Community:

Heritage Month Celebrations:

Disability Pride Day (July 26^th) and Month: In the United States, Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate the July 26^th 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 was expanded with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) that expanded the definition of “disability” in order to simplify the process for establishing a disability in order to seek 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 of 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. 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.

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!

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 descent, including 750,000 Creole peoples. This month also celebrates historical events that cemented the important relationship between the United States and France.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

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.

National Black Women’s Equal Pay Day (July 27th): 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.

Religious Holidays:

Muharram (July 7^th – August 5^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 7^th – 8^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 (July 16^th – 17^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.

Karka Sankranti (July 16^th): Karka Sankranti is a Hindu observance and festival that celebrates the sun’s journey from the Northern to the Southern hemisphere. This marks the end of the six-month Uttarayana period of the Hindu calendar and the start of Dakshinayana, which ends with January’s Marka Sankranti. Dedicated to the sun deity, Surya, Karka is typically celebrated through acts of charity.

Ashura (July 16^th – 17^th): This holy day for Muslims is celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram; this year, that falls on July 17^th. Traditions and celebrations vary across locations and between Shia and Sunni peoples. Shia Muslims typically see it as the most important day of Muharram, which mourns the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura commemorates the day God saved Moses and his followers were saved from Pharaoh by creating a path in the Red Sea.

Sincerely,

Jeff and Anne

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

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

June 2024 Heritage Celebrations

June 11, 2024

To the UConn Community:

Heritage and Awareness Month Celebrations:

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 U.S. Johnson and Rivera 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 men, 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 events, programs, and initiatives to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the year. The UConn Library has put together a Pride Collection and a LGBTQIA+ Community Wellness Guide, as well as UConn Health with a list of LGBTQ+ resources.

UConn School of Social Work’s Innovations Institute supports the LGBTQIA+ community through its National SOGIE Center, as well as its Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity (COE). The COE has developed a Pride Month Podcast Series focused on the behavioral health disparities affecting LGBTQ+ people and how to provide gender affirming care and support. Each episode is accompanied by loads of helpful resources.

Family Reunification Month:

June is also Family Reunification Month, a time to celebrate the power of reunifying families whose children have been in foster care and the positive impact of reunification on the lives of children and their parents. UConn School of Social Work’s Innovations Institute through the National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification has developed a host of resources including engaging videos with family court judges, parent support partners with lived experience, program directors – all working on innovative projects to reunify families.

Rainbow Center Pride Events:

- June 8th – Join the Rainbow Center at Local Prides
- June 22nd – Join the Rainbow Center at Local Prides
- June 27th (12:00 to 1:00pm) – Faculty/Staff/Employee Pride Lunch at the Rainbow Center inside the Student Union

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; through the Africana Studies Institute; and through UConn 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 and the African American Cultural Center.

National Immigrant Heritage Month: First launched in 2014 and first recognized by the President in 2022, National Immigrant Heritage Month celebrates immigrants and their countless contributions to the history and culture of the United States. The goal of this month is to provide people across the United States with an opportunity to honor their own heritage while also recognizing the diverse experiences that make the United States unique.

UConn is enriched by the immigrant communities that live, learn, and work across all five campuses, UConn Health, and UConn Law. UConn has several resources available to immigrant communities, including the Human Rights Institute’s partnership with nonprofit services like Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services and the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants. UConn Health also provides educational resources about providing care for refugee and immigrant patients.

National Men’s Health Month: This campaign is meant to encourage men to consider three equally important aspects of their health – physical, mental, and social. Similar to National Men’s Health Week (June 10-16, 2024), which was first established in 1994, it was established as a special campaign to help educate men, boys, and families about the importance of developing positive health attitudes and practicing preventative health measures. In addition, men and boys are encouraged to engage in healthier lifestyle choices and the early detection and treatment of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and depression.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

Flag Day (June 14): 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, on diversity, one of America’s founding ideals and greatest strengths, as well as 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.

Father’s Day (June 16): 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 U.S., 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.

Juneteenth (June 19): Juneteenth, also known as America’s Second Independence Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is observed on June 19th, 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. In 2023, the Connecticut legislature designated Juneteenth as an official state holiday.

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.

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.

World Refugee Day (June 20): 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 50th anniversary of the 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.

UConn is deeply concerned about the refugee crisis. UConn 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 get involved through the Huskies for Refugees club.

Religious Holidays:

Shavuot, the “Feast of Weeks” (June 11 – June 13): Although its origins are to be found in an ancient grain harvest festival, Shavuot has long been identified with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. A tradition associated with Shavuot includes the consumption of dairy products such as cheese blintzes and cheesecake. One origin of this tradition comes from the Torah being compared to milk by King Solomon, who wrote: “Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue” (Song of Songs 4:11). Another tradition is to participate in an all-night study session marking the holiday.

The Hajj [Pilgrimage] (June 14 – June 19): Hajj, or “pilgrimage” is one of the five pillars of Islam and a mandatory once-in-a-lifetime religious duty for all adult Muslims who are able. During Hajj, millions make the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where they perform rituals to remind them that they are all equal before God and celebrate Islamic unity. Hajj is the most revered spiritual experience for Muslims.

The Martyrdom of Guru Dev Sahib (June 16): This Sikh holiday celebrates the life of Guru Arjan Dev, one of the ten Gurus who pioneered Sikhism. It also commemorates his role as the first martyr for Sikhism. This holiday celebrates his life, and is honored by reading the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Eid al-Adha (June 16 – June 20): 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.

Sincerely,

Jeff and Anne

Jeffrey F. Hines, MD
Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

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

ODI Spring Newsletter

May 13, 2024

Taking too long?

Reload document

Open in new tab

Thank you so much for all of those who contributed photos for this newsletter, including Sage Phillips, Velda Alfred-Abney, Kathleen Holgerson, Mahsa Attaran, Jen Morenus, Dr. Jeffrey Hines, and merz lim.

May 2024 Heritage Celebrations

May 1, 2024

To the UConn Community:

Heritage and Awareness Months:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This national heritage celebration began in 1978 when Congress established a week to honor the contributions Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders have made to the United States. Congress selected the first ten days of May for this celebration to commemorate two important milestones in U.S. history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the trans-continental railroad (May 10, 1869), which was built primarily by Chinese workers. This celebration was expanded to a full month in 1992. UConn celebrates this heritage month in April, so students, faculty, and staff can participate in events and celebrations.

Foster Care Awareness Month: May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. Initiated by the Children’s Bureau, National Foster Care Awareness Month honors and recognizes the unique experiences of over 300,000 children and youth in foster care in the United States. This month’s theme, “Engaging Youth, Building Supports, Strengthening Opportunities,” advocates for a strong child welfare system designed to equip and support the young people preparing to leave foster care. The Children’s Bureau offers a variety of resources specific to the young people and children in foster care, which can be found here.

Haitian Heritage Month: This national heritage month celebrates Haitian culture and traditions. It is an expansion of Haitian Flag Day (May 18th), which commemorates Haiti’s revolution from France and the formation of the world’s first Black republic. Haitian Flag Day is honored both in Haiti and by Haitians living in the diaspora, especially in the U.S., which is home to the largest Haitian diaspora in the world. Haitian Heritage Month was first celebrated in Boston in 1998 and became a national celebration after President George W. Bush honored it in 2005. Events include parades, flag raisings, and exhibits honoring Haitian culture, art, food, and traditions. UConn has two organizations for Haitian and Haitian American students: Aiding in Haitian Education, Advancement, and Development (AHEAD) and the Haitian Student Association.

Jewish American Heritage Month: This national heritage month recognizes more than 350 years of Jewish contributions to the United States, paying tribute to generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Though first recognized in April 2006, this month is commemorated in May to honor the first Jewish migrants to North America, who arrived in New York (then called New Amsterdam) after fleeing persecution in May of 1654. There are several organizations for Jewish students, staff, and faculty at UConn, including Hillel, Chabad, and the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Life (Storrs and Stamford), which sponsors the American Jewish Year Book to provide the most up-to-date information about Jewish life in North America. The Center also has several educational resources and lectures available for free, and sponsors a 1-credit course on Confronting Antisemitism.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental Health Awareness month raises awareness about our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and educates the public about mental health, living with mental health conditions, and strategies for improving mental health and wellness. Of particular concern is suicide prevention. Over the last few years, many people have reported feeling that current events are taking a toll on their mental health, whether from the stress, isolation, and uncertainty in a pandemic, or from social justice issues and political unrest. These have been particularly hard on historically minoritized peoples, who have increasingly been targeted for harassment and violence. Whatever you may be going through, UConn has tools, resources, and programs to support you: Student Health and Wellness (SHaW)’s resources for mental health at Storrs and at the regional campuses; student wellness resources at UConn Health; HR’s mental health resources; resources for suicide prevention; the Student Care Team, which responds to concerns about individual student health and wellness; Holistic Huskies, a podcast on student mental health experiences; and UConn’s Wellness Coalition, a space for students to come together and develop innovative solutions to health and wellness issues on campus. The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) also has on-campus and off-campus resources specifically for military veterans.

Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day (May 27): Memorial Day began as a day set aside for families and friends to visit and decorate the graves of loved ones lost during the American Civil War. Congress made Memorial Day an official holiday in 1971, setting aside the last Monday in May to honor all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. Congress began recognizing Military Appreciation month in 1999 to honor all service members past and present, as well as those associated with them including children of fallen soldiers, spouses, caregivers, and others who served and sacrificed along with military members. Military Appreciation Month includes Military Spouse Appreciation Day (5/10), Children of Fallen Patriots Day (5/13), Armed Forces Day (5/18), and Memorial Day (5/27), and coincides with Military Caregiver Month. UConn honors members of the military and their families. Because Memorial Day falls after the spring semester has ended, The Office of Veterans Affairs and Military Programs (VAMP) will not be holding a UConn specific event. The office would like to encourage everyone to attend an event to remember and mourn the U.S. military members who have died while serving our country. A list of some events happening throughout Connecticut can be found here: Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in Connecticut – Dates (rove.me). UConn also recognizes that veterans and service members face unique challenges in higher education. VAMP 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, and providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students for Disabilities (CSD), which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status.

Older Americans Month: This heritage month was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to acknowledge the contributions of older persons in the country and raise awareness about this community’s growing needs and concerns. Ageism is a systematic issue in the United States, despite a rapidly aging population. While this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967, which prohibits discrimination against workers over the age of 40 during all stages of employment, there is still a long way to go in ensuring the wellbeing and care of older populations. This year’s Older Americans Month theme is “Aging Unbound,” which offers opportunities to explore diverse aging experiences, as well as to discuss combating stereotypes. This month provides an opportunity to promote flexible thinking about how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included. The University of Connecticut supports senior citizens through free 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) where learners over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners.

Cultural and Federal Holidays:

Cinco de Mayo (May 5): Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration of the Mexican military’s defeat of the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This holiday is not widely celebrated in Mexico; rather, it is often treated as a drinking holiday in the United States, often erroneously celebrating Mexican Independence Day, which is on September 16th. Unfortunately, treating Cinco de Mayo as a drinking holiday often results in rampant cultural appropriation and negative stereotypes about Mexicans and Mexican Americans. A good way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo is to read the real story about the holiday and to support Mexican-owned businesses in your community.

Mother’s Day (May 12): In the United States, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. While other countries have similar days of commemoration, dates and traditions vary. The American version of Mother’s Day was created in 1905 to honor the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Though originally a day of celebration for individuals and families, it was heavily commercialized after President Woodrow Wilson declared it a federal holiday in 1914. The Women’s Center offers an ongoing group for mothers at UConn, Moms4Moms. Open to mothers employed or enrolled at UConn, this group works to enlighten, empower, engage, and educate moms. It also provides opportunities to network and build community, as well as an inclusive space to talk about the joys and hardships of motherhood. For all the mothers and the mothers-at-heart, thank you for your care and kindness. For those who have lost a child, lost a mother, or are yearning to be a mother, we see you and honor you.

National Nurses Week (May 6 – 12), International Nurses Day (May 12): International Nurses Day is celebrated globally every May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale. In the United States, the week leading up to International Nurses Day is National Nurses Week, which celebrates the profession and provides opportunities to promote understanding and appreciation of the invaluable contributions nurses make to our society. This year’s theme is “Nurses Make the Difference,” which honors the many invaluable ways that nurses make a difference in their patients’ experiences of care, dignity, and wellbeing, including as healthcare providers and advocates. We especially appreciate the nurses who work to meet the healthcare needs of the UConn campus communities, including the Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses at Student Health and Wellness and UConn Health, whose invaluable contributions make it possible to provide outstanding student-centered healthcare, and who work on the frontlines of advocating for student health and wellness and supporting students’ efforts to develop health and wellness knowledge. Thank you for all you do!

Religious Holidays:

Buddha Day (May 15): Buddha Day, also known as Buddha Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the founder of Buddhism, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Gautama Buddha. Buddha Day is a lunar holiday and usually falls during the first full moon of May. Buddha’s birth is celebrated as part of the Vesak festival, which honors the three major events in his life: his birth, his enlightenment, and his death. Buddhists celebrate Vesak by decorating temples with flowers, singing hymns, and laying down offerings, and “bathing of the Buddha,” a ritual in which water is poured over small statues of the Buddha to cleanse bad karma and to reenact the events following his birth, when devas and spirits showered him with sacred waters from the sky. Buddhists are encouraged to do small acts of kindness, to refrain from any kind of killing, and to eat vegetarian food.

Orthodox Easter or Pascha (May 5): The celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ by Orthodox Christians, especially in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, and Russia.

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,

Frank, Anne, and Jeff

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

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

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

Ava Chin: Keynote Discussion

April 2, 2024

April 2024 Heritage Celebrations

April 1, 2024

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. Efforts to honor their rich and diverse cultural heritages, as well as the many contributions they have made to American society, have been underway since 2017, when the Arab America Foundation launched Arab American Heritage Month. 45 U.S. states have issued proclamations commemorating Arab American Heritage Month, as has President Biden, who in 2021 became the first U.S. president to publicly acknowledge the celebration of Arab American Heritage.

Asian American Heritage Month: Every April, UConn commemorates Asian American Heritage Month – which is observed nationally in May – to honor the contributions Asian, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders have made to our country, our state, and our university. We believe that it is especially important to celebrate Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) members of the UConn community following the increase in identity-based harassment and violence these communities faced following the COVID-19 Pandemic. This increase in racially-based violence and harassment has a negative impact on the living, learning, and working conditions for AAPI members of our community – and, in turn, for 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 Center for Neurodiversity and Employee Innovation.

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 in order to better include the experiences of BIPOC Deaf people.

* Language preferences vary among for 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 in order 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.

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.

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:

Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd): World Autism Awareness Day highlights the need to improve the quality of life for autistic* people. This year’s observance, “Moving From Surviving to Thriving: Autistic Individuals Share Regional Perspectives” highlights the perspectives of autistic people from all around the world. 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.

Earth Day (April 22): April 22nd 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 Invest in Our Planet, which aims to persuade citizens, governments, and businesses of the need to invest in our planet, improve our environment, and give our descendants a better future. 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 (February 14 – March 28 in Western Churches, March 18 – May 5 in Eastern and Orthodox Churches): In Christianity, Lent is a liturgical season prior to Easter. Lent is celebrated by members of Catholic, Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches. 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.

Ramadan (March 10 – April 9): A holy month for Muslims that is used for spiritual reflection and growth, for helping those in need, and spending time with loved ones. Ramadan is a moveable holiday, beginning and ending with the crescent moon during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world typically observe a fast during daylight hours.

UConn Dining at Storrs will have specially prepared meals and will set up a station for students to collect those meals after sundown. Both South and Towers Dining Halls will be open late for Iftar. Members of the UConn Health community can participate in Friday prayers at Interfaith Murray-Heilig Chapel, located on the M-level in University Tower at John Dempsey Hospital.

Eid al-Fitr (April 9 – April 10): Eid al-Fitr is one of two major feasts Muslims celebrate each year. Translated as “the festival of breaking the fast,” it marks the end of Ramadan. After a month of fasting during Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr is seen as a spiritual celebration of Allah’s provision of strength and endurance. Traditions vary from place to place, but might include special morning prayers, exchanging gifts, and giving to those in need.

Vaisakhi (April 13): This holiday marks the start of the Punjabi New Year and also celebrates the year (1699) when Sikhism was established as a formal order by Guru Gobind Singh. The day is observed by temple worship, feasting and dancing.

Passover (April 22 – April 30): Passover, also known as Pesach, celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. It commemorates the struggle for freedom from bondage. Members of the Jewish community all over the world observe Passover by hosting seder meals.

UConn Hillel will be hosting a Seder on Monday, April 22^nd that is free to the entire community. Please RSVP via info@uconnhillle.org. NOSH Kosher Kitchen in Gelfenbien Dining Commons will be serving Passover meals from Monday, April 22nd – Tuesday, April 30th by reservation only. Students can reserve meals at Passover Meals | Dining Services (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,

Frank, Anne, and Jeff

Frank Tuitt
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

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

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

Asian Nite

March 23, 2024