Juneteenth, a longstanding holiday in parts of the United States that recognizes the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates the self-determination of Black Americans, is now an official state holiday in Colorado. Gov. Jared Polis signed a legislative bill into law on May 2, declaring Juneteenth a state holiday. Colorado鈥檚 decision to observe Juneteenth follows the lead of the federal government, which .
Traditionally observed on June 19, marks the date in 1865 when the Union Army arrived in Texas, the last state in the Confederacy with institutional slavery, to proclaim freedom for enslaved people鈥攎ore than two years after President Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 .
鈥淎s a university committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, we鈥檙e proud to join with all Coloradans in recognizing this important moment in U.S. history,鈥� said Chancellor Philip DiStefano. 鈥淎s we celebrate Juneteenth this year, I urge everyone in the CU 麻豆影院 community to reflect on the long road to emancipation and the ways our modern lives continue to be shaped by the stain of American slavery.鈥�
Later this spring, CU 麻豆影院 will announce a campus event to honor and recognize Juneteenth, and University Libraries has assembled an to share more about the holiday. In addition, Denver鈥檚 historic Five Points neighborhood will hold its , June 17-19.
鈥淛uneteenth is a noteworthy celebration not only for the Black community but for all of us to value U.S. history," said Sonia DeLuca Fern谩ndez, senior vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion. "As a place for lifelong learning, CU 麻豆影院 has a responsibility to perpetually renew our commitment to freedom and justice鈥撯�搖nderstanding important legacies of both tragedy and triumph.鈥�
The university will offer Juneteenth as a floating personal observance day for all leave-eligible faculty and staff, who can take the time off between now and Dec. 31 in consultation with supervisors, campus human resources officials said.
This flexibility will accommodate faculty, staff and students involved with the summer session, which begins May 9 and is part of the current academic calendar.
The summer session academic calendar, which has been set to include the number of instructor-student contact hours required for university accreditation, precludes the university from instituting a fixed holiday this summer.
In the months ahead, the four CU campuses and the university鈥檚 system office will determine how to implement this additional state holiday into academic calendars. Details on a personal day of observance for Juneteenth for fiscal year 2023 will be forthcoming.
More information is available on the Human Resources website.
