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Message of Welcome

Welcome to the University of Connecticut’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice page!  This site will serve as the University’s central hub for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) information and initiatives.  It will provide resources, opportunities for engagement, and celebrations of the many diverse communities who call UConn “home.”

UConn is committed to diversity, a crucial part of the University's mission.  We also believe that diversity makes our campuses better places to learn and work and positions UConn as a state, regional, and local leader in education, research, and outreach.  Quite simply, we believe that the diversity of our communities makes UConn stronger.

The important transformational work related to DEIJ will only be successful if the University has buy-in and input from our entire community; no singular department or unit can do this work on its own.  This website provides an entry point for every member of the UConn community – whether a student, alumni, staff, faculty, or a member of the surrounding communities, we invite you to join in this important work with us.  Together, we can improve the UConn experience for every member of our community.

Mission Statement

The University of Connecticut is committed to building a safe and inclusive community for all its members through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the guidance of the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Frank Tuitt, we as members of the UConn community aim to listen, reflect, learn, and act to make our community safe and a place of belonging for all. We aim to support diversity, equity, and inclusion through offering support for success for people of all backgrounds.

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the territory of the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, Lenape, Mashantucket Pequot, Mohegan, Nipmuc and Schaghticoke Peoples who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land, and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.

Pronunciations: Eastern Pequot (Pea-kwaht); Golden Hill Paugussett (paw-GUS-it); Lenape (Leh-NAH-pay); Mashantucket Pequot (Mash-un-tuck-it Pea-kwaht);  Mohegan (Mo-he-gan); Nipmuc (Nip-muck); Schaghticoke (ska-teh-COKE)

Upcoming Events

  1. Apr 16 Alexa Udell IDEA Grant - Trans-Photography: Gender Euphoria and Expression Through Portraiture All Day
  2. Apr 16 Let’s Talk with Michelle Chen 1:00pm
  3. Apr 16 Ray Chen, Julio Elizalde, piano 7:30pm
  4. Apr 17 Alexa Udell IDEA Grant - Trans-Photography: Gender Euphoria and Expression Through Portraiture 12:00am

UConn Today

Statements

April 2024 Heritage Celebrations

April 1, 2024

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of April: Heritage Month Celebrations: Arab American Heritage Month: During the month of April, cultural institutions, schools, legislatures, and organizations across the country […]

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March 2024 Heritage Celebrations

March 1, 2024

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: The United States has observed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month every March since 1987. Led […]

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February 2024 Heritage Celebrations

February 2, 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 February: Heritage Month Celebrations: Black History Month (February): Black History Month celebrates Black and African American history, culture, achievements, and excellence. It also […]

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@uconndiversity

- 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. 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.

- 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.

- 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.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.

- 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.

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.

Open
- 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. 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. - 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. - 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.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. - 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. 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.

- 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. 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.

- 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.

- 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.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.

- 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.

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. ...

- 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.

- 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.

Open
- 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. - 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.

- 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.

- 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. ...

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

- 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.

- 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.

- Autism Acceptance Month: UConn recognizes Autism Acceptance Month – formerly Autism Awareness Month – each April. Autistic* a 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.

- 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 US, 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.

- 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.

Open
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of April: - 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. - 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. - Autism Acceptance Month: UConn recognizes Autism Acceptance Month – formerly Autism Awareness Month – each April. Autistic* a 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. - 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 US, 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. - 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.

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

- 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.

- 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.

- Autism Acceptance Month: UConn recognizes Autism Acceptance Month – formerly Autism Awareness Month – each April. Autistic* a 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.

- 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 US, 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.

- 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. ...