Dear CU Boulder community,
Last year, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill into law establishing听as an. Traditionally celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks the date in 1865 when the Union Army arrived in Texas鈥撯�搕he last state in the Confederacy with institutional slavery鈥撯�搕o proclaim freedom for enslaved Black and African Americans more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 Emancipation Proclamation.
Beginning next year, CU Boulder will observe Juneteenth as a fixed听holiday听rather than a floating holiday, and along with other public colleges, schools and offices, our campus will close in accordance with state guidelines.
This year, the campus will remain open on听June 19听to align with the 2023 academic calendar, which was set well before the governor鈥檚听闯耻苍别迟别别苍迟丑听announcement last year. While CU Boulder will be open for classes and other university business, we encourage students, staff and faculty to reflect on the history and significance of听the day听and to avoid scheduling other major events听on Juneteenth.
As previously communicated, Juneteenth will remain a floating holiday听for CU Boulder employees听this year,听and听as听a reminder, employees who have not already done so are encouraged to use the floating holiday before June 30, 2023.
Plans for observing Juneteenth this year and in the future are underway, and students, staff and faculty will receive additional information听in May听about campus resources and Juneteenth commemorations on campus and in the broader Boulder community. Please watch for updates in听CU Boulder Today听and via the campus鈥檚 other communication channels.
Juneteenth provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the self-determination, enduring resilience and contributions of Black and African American communities in Colorado and across the country. We encourage CU Boulder students and employees to celebrate in community, to set aside time to dialogue with others about the history of Juneteenth and to participate in related events.
Sincerely,
Sonia DeLuca Fern谩ndez, Senior Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Robyn Fergus, Chief People Officer