March 27, 2023
March 24, 2023
Dear Huskies,
The coming month is one of significance for many members of our community in their faith practices, including the observances of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Passover. As these holidays approach, we are sharing resources and reminders to promote awareness of these observances and their potential effects on your activities.
We believe that meaningful inclusion plays a critical role in the well-being of all members of the UConn community. In accordance with this mission, faculty and staff have been advised to take dates of religious holidays into consideration when planning events or setting academic deadlines. The Provost’s Office, in partnership with the Office for Institutional Equity, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Dean of Students Office has created a webpage that includes information on key religious observances this academic year. It also includes links to UConn’s policy on religious accommodations for students, faculty and staff, as well as resources to learn more about individual holidays. Please click here to visit the Religious Observances webpage. If you notice a religious holiday that is not included on this webpage, please contact provost@uconn.edu.
We are grateful for our colleagues in Dining Services as they work to support students with dietary needs related to religious practices. More information about how to access meals during Ramadan or Passover can be found on the Dining Services website.
As a reminder, faculty and instructors are expected to reasonably accommodate individual religious practices unless doing so would result in fundamental alteration of class objectives or undue hardship to the University’s legitimate business purposes. Such accommodations may include rescheduling an exam or giving a make-up exam, allowing a presentation to be made on a different date or assigning the student appropriate make-up work that is intrinsically no more difficult than the original assignment. Students are responsible for making arrangements in advance to make up missed work. Students are also responsible for identifying potential conflicts with final examinations; request for rescheduling of finals should be submitted to the Dean of Students Office using the online form.
Your attention to these observances and accommodations is an important part of supporting our University’s commitment to building and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive learning and work environment. Your faith, religion, beliefs, and celebrations matter to us!
Sincerely,
Pam Schipani
Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
Fany DeJesus Hannon
Interim Dean of Students
March 23, 2023
STORRS, Conn. – Propelled by the success of food pantries at each of the regional campuses, Husky Harvest at UConn’s main campus in Storrs will open Monday for thousands of students without a meal plan and without a full cupboard.
While the pantry will be available to anyone with a UConn ID, it is geared to those living off-campus who are not required to have a meal plan and therefore may not have regular access to nutritious food, Michael White, executive director of Dining Services, says. That includes 2,000 undergraduate students who live in places like the Carriage House Town Homes and Celeron Square apartments.
White says the first step to establishing the pantry was finding a location that was central to campus, had patron parking, and offered some level of discreetness. Almost fortuitously, the 600-square-foot former convenience store in the Charter Oak Apartments Community Center popped onto the radar.
With a bus stop not far from the front door and located just off Discovery Drive, the space also was ideal because students who live in the Charter Oak Apartments aren’t required to have meal plans and might very well be among those who would benefit the most.
“We wanted a location that would service not only the undergraduate population, but the graduate students, faculty, staff, essentially anyone with a UConn ID,” White says. “That had a lot to do with how we talked about locations.”
A grand opening of the Storrs location for invited guests and the media will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 20, at the pantry in the Charter Oak Apartments Community Center, 916 Tower Court Road, Storrs. Regular hours will be Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Husky Harvest at Storrs will operate in much the same way as the Husky Harvest pantries at the regional campuses that have opened over the last several months. A partnership with Connecticut Foodshare is enabling the venture and providing grocery staples with regular deliveries.
White says he’s borrowing ideas from experiences at the regional campuses, including Avery Point, where staff has made available simple recipes that account for ingredients typically found on the shelves, like stewed tomatoes and beans. In Stamford, Husky Harvest offers personal care items, including shampoo and deodorant, another offering White hopes to have with funding from the Undergraduate Student Government.
“I don’t want to get into the scenario – and I know it happens in life – that someone has to decide between putting food on their plate and taking a shower,” White says. “That’s a very challenging decision for anybody to make. Just being able to take a shower sometimes can really reset your wellbeing.”
Eventually, he says he expects to take donations from the public but plans to operate this semester solely with Connecticut Foodshare support. In time, though, he can see departmental food drives, a kitchen equipment and gadget collection, and leftovers from the cafes all earmarked for pantry patrons.
“This is no longer a topic that people are afraid of,” White says. “We know that the UConn community will go above and beyond.”
Contributions to the UConn Storrs Campus Food Insecurity Fund at the UConn Foundation can be made online. Visit the pantry’s website for more details.
Questions about Husky Harvest can be directed to Kimberly Phillips, Kimberly.DeBaise@uconn.edu.
Dear Colleagues,
The coming month is one of significance for many members of our community in their religious practices, including the observances of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, Passover, and Easter. As these holidays approach, we are sharing resources and reminders with the community to promote awareness of these observances and their potential effects on the academic activities of our students.
We believe that meaningful inclusion plays a critical role in the well-being of all members of the UConn community. In accordance with this mission, we advise faculty and staff to take dates of religious holidays into consideration when planning events or setting academic deadlines. The Provost’s Office, in partnership with the Office for Institutional Equity, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Dean of Students Office, has created a webpage that includes information on key religious observances this academic year. It also includes links to UConn’s policy on religious accommodations for students, faculty and staff, as well as resources to learn more about individual holidays. Please click here to visit the Religious Observances webpage. If you notice a religious holiday that is not included on this webpage, please contact provost@uconn.edu.
As a reminder, faculty and instructors are expected reasonably to accommodate individual religious practices unless doing so would result in fundamental alteration of class objectives or undue hardship to the University’s legitimate business purposes. Such accommodations may include rescheduling an exam or giving a make-up exam, allowing a presentation to be made on a different date or assigning the student appropriate make-up work that is intrinsically no more difficult than the original assignment.
Students are responsible for making arrangements in advance to make up missed work. Students are also responsible for identifying potential conflicts with final examinations and must contact the Dean of Students Office for accommodations for final examinations.
Your attention to these observances and accommodations is an important part of supporting our University’s commitment to building and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive learning and work environment.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey
Jeffrey S. Shoulson, Ph.D.
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
March 20, 2023
Joint Statement on the Work and Legacy of the Late Judy Heumann from the Leaders of the American Education Research Association, the AERA Special and Inclusive Education Research SIG, and the AERA Disability Studies in Education SIG
March 17, 2023
Judith “Judy” Heumann, widely regarded as “the mother” of the disability rights movement, passed away unexpectedly in Washington, D.C., on the afternoon of March 4, 2023. Born in 1947 and diagnosed with polio at 18 months, Judy used a wheelchair for most of her life. After she was denied admission to New York City Public Schools and called a “fire hazard,” her mother advocated for her to attend her neighborhood school. Later, the same school district denied Judy a teaching license for the same reason. She sued and went on to become the first teacher in New York State to use a wheelchair.
She spent her entire life advocating on behalf of herself and others and was at the forefront of major disability rights demonstrations. Although Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was passed under the Nixon administration, it was not enforced under either the Nixon or Ford administrations. Heumann’s advocacy and protests, including her participation and leadership in the 26-day takeover of a federal building in San Francisco, helped secure the eventual enforcement of Section 504 under the Carter administration in 1977. Section 504 protects the civil rights of people with disabilities by requiring that entities receiving federal funds not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment, education, or participation. Heumann’s continued activism inside and outside of government helped spearhead the passage of other disability rights legislation, including the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (now the IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She founded national and international disability advocacy organizations and held senior federal government positions, including as assistant secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Washington, D.C.’s first director for the Department on Disability Services; the first advisor on disability and development at the World Bank; and most recently, special advisor for international disability rights at the U.S. Department of State.
In her memoir and throughout her life Judy pushed back on the ableist notion that her disability or wheelchair use was anything she should feel shame about, saying, “Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives.” Judy’s story can be found in her co-authored memoir, Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, and its young adult version, Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution. Parts of her story were also featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary film Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
More information about Judy Heumann’s life can be found here: https://judithheumann.com/the-world-mourns-the-passing-of-judy-heumann-disability-rights-activist/
May we, the greater AERA community, keep Judy Heumann’s incredible legacy alive by continuing the fight for disability rights through our work and lives.
AERA Special and Inclusive Education Research (#113) Special Interest Group (SIG) Leaders: Meghan Cosier, Ph.D.; Taucia Gonzalez, Ph.D.; Katie McCabe, Ph.D.; Heather Brown, Ph.D.; Jennifer Cowhy; and Shameeka M. Wilson
AERA Disability Studies in Education SIG (#143) Special Interest Group Leaders: Saili S. Kulkarni, Ph.D.; Emily A. Nusbaum, Ph.D.; Valentina Migliarini, Ph.D., Katherine Newhouse, Ph.D., and Kimiya Maghzi, Ph.D.
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Leaders: Rich Milner, Ph.D., AERA President; Felice J. Levine, Ph.D, AERA Executive Director
March 7, 2023
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 March:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March): The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this month raises awareness about people who have disabilities that cause an impairment in language, learning, physical body, or behavior. Specifically, this campaign seeks to raise awareness about the difficulties people with disabilities face and the importance of including people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.
UConn seeks to ensure that people with disabilities 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 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, including at UConn Health. CSD utilizes MyAccess, which allows students to more easily request accommodations and facilitates faculty and staff efforts to meet those accommodations. 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.
Greek American Heritage Month (March): Also known as Hellenic Heritage Month, Greek American Heritage Month takes place in March to coincide with Greek Independence Day on March 25th. This day celebrates the contributions of Greeks and Greek Americans, and honors Greek language and culture.
Irish American Heritage Month (March): Irish American Heritage Month honors the achievements of Irish immigrants and their descendants in the United States. First celebrated in 1991, it is accompanied by a proclamation from the President of the United States. Irish American Heritage Month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.
Women’s History Month (March): Thanks to the efforts of the National Women’s History Alliance, March is recognized as Women’s History Month. First Celebrated as Women’s History week in 1981, Congress expanded the celebration in 1987 to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and to recognize specific achievements women have made throughout American history. The theme for 2023’s Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.” This theme honors women in every community who are devoted to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting on the human condition. At UConn, we celebrate women’s history every month of the year, especially through the Women’s Center and the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program.
For Women’s History Month 2023, ODI and the Provost’s Office are excited to offer “Transformation Now!” This course provides a brief, detailed historical account of gender, the language that has shaped gender, the laws that have defined gender, and the various transnational revolutions that have taken place to redefine gender altogether. This pop-up course will run from March 6 to April 28 for graduate and undergraduate students; faculty and staff dates are TBD. Students are able to enroll through March 12.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
International Women’s Day (March 8th): International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrating Women’s rights. It celebrates women’s achievements, recognizes the challenges women face, and brings attention to ongoing issues related to gender equity, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse faced by women. The theme for 2023’s International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity, which recognizes that giving groups the same opportunities and resources is not enough, but that exact resources need to be allocated to help individuals achieve equal outcomes. This campaign recognizes that some groups face greater challenges and need greater resources in order to succeed.
Nowruz | Iranian New Year | Person New Year (March 20th – March 21st) Nowruz celebrates the beginning of the new year on the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar. It begins on the spring equinox (usually on or around March 20th), which marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Nowruz has been a day of great celebration throughout Iranian history; it is mankind’s oldest known holiday and is still celebrated by more than 300 million people around the world. It celebrates the triumph of hope over despair and promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families. This year, the Middle Eastern Cultural Programs (MECP) invite you to join our Nowruz celebration on Monday, March 20th, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM in the ODI Commons (Student Union room 103). Space is limited, so please RSVP.
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th): This cultural and religious holiday is held annually on the traditional death date of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Ireland for a thousand years but has been celebrated by American parades since 1737. The largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade is held in New York each year.
Religious Holidays:
Lent (February 22nd – April 6th in Western Churches, February 27th – April 15th in Eastern Orthodox Churches): In Christianity, Lent is a liturgical season prior to Easter. Though mostly associated with Catholics, Lent is celebrated by members of Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Generally, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
Purim (March 6th-7th): Purim is a joyous and merry holiday that celebrates the strength, resilience, and survival of the Jewish people. Specifically, it commemorates the deliverance of Jews in ancient Persia from a planned act of genocide ordered by the Persian king’s Prime Minister, a plot that was foiled by Queen Esther. The major theme of this holiday is overcoming baseless hatred against the Jewish people. Traditional celebrations include reading Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther); sending gifts of food to family; giving tzedakah (charity); enjoying a festive meal; and wearing costumes. Hillel will host a make-your-own Purim basket event on Tuesday, March 7th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Holi (March 8th): Holi is a Hindu festival celebrating the end of winter and the triumph of love over evil. Originating in India and Nepal, Holi is celebrated globally. Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” the “Festival of Love” and the “Festival of New Beginnings,” Holi is seen as a new beginning. It is typically celebrated with two days of festivals. The first consists of a bonfire to symbolically burn away all the bad and the second consists of throwing powder dye into the air, covering all in attendance with vibrant colors. At Storrs, the Indian Student Association will be hosting Holi on the CLAS quad with color and games on 4/8. The rain date for this event will be 4/15.
Ramadan (March 22nd – April 21st): 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 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. The Asian American Cultural Center (AsACC) will hold an Eid celebration. 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. Check out these UConn student-made videos (Storrs| Hartford) about to best support Muslim students during Ramadan.
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,
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 and Chief Diversity Officer, UConn Health
February 21, 2023
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) and UConn Library invite you to the 2023 Black History Month Closing Ceremony.
This year’s ceremony features a talk, “Overboard: Black Resistance and the Middle Passage,” given by Dr. Rik Stevenson, Professor of African American Studies at the University of Florida. Dr Stevenson’s research explores Black resistance in the Middle Passage, connecting West African cosmologies and spiritual systems to revolutionary acts of resistance.
This in-person event will be held on Monday, February 27, at 6:00 PM in the Student Union Theater and Ballroom. This event is open to all members of the UConn Community.
February 13, 2023
To the UConn Community:
Over the past week, we have all seen with great concern and sorrow the devastating impact of the Feb. 6 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and on behalf of the UConn community, we would like to express our sympathy for those affected by this major natural disaster.
The University of Connecticut has close and highly valued ties with both countries, and we are contacting our students, alumni, faculty, and staff who have personal and family connections to this unfolding tragedy, letting them know they are in our thoughts. The UConn community is also committed to providing what assistance we can to help during this distressing and heartbreaking time.
The earthquakes have compounded the suffering of many individuals in the region, but we are hopeful that the incredible resilience of the Turkish and Syrian people, much on display in recent years, will help them through this dreadful time. It is also encouraging to see the international community responding with such speed and bringing all possible resources to bear.
The UConn Turkish Student Association has started a fundraiser to support the Turkish Philanthropy Funds’ Gaziantep Earthquake Relief Fund, which will be used to provide food, emergency supplies, and temporary relief to displaced families.
If you’re interested in supporting other organizations, our human rights faculty have identified additional non-profits which are assisting with rescue and recovery efforts, including:
Syrian American Medical Society Foundation
AKUT Search and Rescue Association
Bridge to Türkiye Fund
Disasters Emergency Committee
This is a difficult time for the University as we navigate the many emotions people have after experiencing natural disasters. Please remember that resources are available for any students, faculty, or staff needing support.
Students can stop by the Dean of Students office in Wilbur Cross Building Room 203 without appointment during drop-in hours (Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.), or they may call 860-486-3426 to request a meeting with an Assistant Dean.
Student Health & Wellness – Mental Health Services, located on the 4th floor of the Arjona Building, is available to provide support to students who may be struggling.
To make an appointment with SHAW-Mental Health, call 860-486-4705 or schedule an appointment online. In addition, information about managing grief can be found on the SHAW-Mental Health website. If you need help more immediately, resources can be accessed here.
UConn International Student and Scholar Services staff are also available to support international students and visiting scholars who may need help to navigate resources and options during this difficult time. Information about drop-in services or scheduling an advisor appointment can be found here. Also, check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Humanitarian webpage for updates on any U.S. government programs and benefits extended to citizens of specific countries in times of hardship.
Staff and faculty are encouraged to reach out to UConn’s Employee Assistance Program if they need support.
Leading with joy and love for all,
Radenka Maric
President
Anne D’Alleva
Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Daniel Weiner
Vice President for Global Affairs
Michael Gilbert
Vice President for Student Affairs
February 7, 2023
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion would like to express our concern and support for the people of Turkey and Syria who are experiencing the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. We stand in solidarity with members of the UConn community and their families who have been adversely impacted by this recent tragedy.
Please know that you are not alone, the destruction of life and property is not unobserved, and that your pleas for assistance are not unheard. To the rest of the UConn Community, we encourage you to get involved by learning more about the humanitarian crises facing people in the region, if able, to get involved in relief efforts.