Office of the Provost

Dear Colleagues,

On June 19, 1865, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on New Years’ Day 1863, the Union army liberated the last community of enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas.  All people held as slaves in the United States were finally free. Juneteenth was established as a holiday to commemorate this momentous event, and the State of Connecticut recognized this holiday for the first time in June 2023.

While UConn will remain open this coming Juneteenth, and classes can be held as scheduled, we encourage faculty, wherever possible, to exercise flexibility for students who wish to observe the holiday. Consider providing a recording of your lecture, distributing materials for an asynchronous class session, or holding extra office hours in the following week. If you are planning an assessment (i.e., quiz, exam, in-class assignment) to be due that day, consider an extension for those students who are absent.

It is important to note that graduate assistants who are teaching assistants (including IORs) who are assigned to teach on Juneteenth should be working unless they have been told otherwise by their supervisors. If a graduate assistant is assigned to teach on Juneteenth, they should have the option to arrange another day off with their supervisor.

We recognize that certain critical University operations and departments serving our community such as facilities operations, residential life, and ITS will remain open to meet student and instructor needs. We encourage University departments able to do so to close on Juneteenth.

Your attention to these observances and accommodations is an important part of supporting UConn’s commitment to building and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive learning and work environment.

Sincerely,

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

Jeffrey Hines
Interim Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer

Lakeesha Brown
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer