News and Happenings

Upcoming Events

Happening in October

GATHERING
ODI Coffee Breaks
Weekly on Tuesdays starting in October, 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, ARB Small Conference Room (10/1, 10/22, 10/29 )/ARB Large Conference Room (10/8, 10/15)
Many in our community are impacted by events happening on a global scale including atrocities in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, as well as natural disasters and school shootings. Often those impacted find themselves working so hard to support their loved ones and communities they forget to pause to support themselves, to take a moment to reflect, mourn, or set aside time to be in community with each other. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) would like to invite you to pause and be in community with us as you are able. Enjoy coffee alone, or in conversation with colleagues. If you require accommodations to participate, please email diversity@uconn.edu. ODI Coffee Break Flyer Oct. 1

SEMINAR
"How Are You Doing?"...And Other Scary Questions, Continued
Thursday, October 10, 11:00 AM, virtual, UConn Graduate School Timely Topics Series
This discussion-based Timely Topic will continue to explore frequently asked grad faculty questions pertaining to student welfare. Need to help students access resources? Wondering how you can balance compassion for a student’s struggles and still hold them accountable for being productive? This discussion will address these issues and leave plenty of time for attendees to ask questions. If the goal is a healthy and supportive academic/work environment, facilitators will provide guidance on how to continue asking “scary questions.” Please register to receive a Webex link for this event.

Part 1 of this session, “‘How Are You Doing?’…And Other Scary Questions”, was held in Spring 2024. Part 2 expands on the theme of supporting grads who may be struggling. Prior attendance is not required but materials from the Spring 2024 session are available for review if you wish.

SEMINAR
Reimagining Mental Health Care for Autistic Individuals: Social Justice Approaches for Research and Clinical Practice
Thursday, October 10, 12:30 AM, virtual, UConn InCHIP  Lecture Series
Dr. Shalini Sivathasan (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. Her research interests broadly center around improving behavioral health outcomes and access to mental healthcare among people with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., autistic and neurodivergent individuals, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+). RSVP to this online event here.

SYMPOSIUM
Housing in the 21st Century: Problems, Progress and Predictions
A Connecticut Law Review Symposium
Friday, October 18, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, UConn Law, William F. Starr Hall, Reading Room
Access to safe and affordable housing remains a challenge for millions of Americans. Historical and systemic factors, including redlining and discriminatory lending practices, have disproportionately affected minority communities, contributing to disparities in home ownership and exacerbating the housing affordability crisis. Unsafe or inaccessible rental housing, as well as rising rental costs, create additional barriers to housing security nationwide. While progress has been made due to the passage of the Fair Housing Act and other consumer protection laws, the affordable housing crisis and tenant rights’ violations persist. Leading scholars will discuss some of these problems and innovative efforts to address them. Participants will also share their predictions for future housing law and policy needs and make recommendations for how to move forward. The event is free for students, faculty, staff and the general public. There is a registration fee for attorneys seeking CLE credit. RSVP here.

EVENT
Voices and Votes: Art, Youth, and Political Determinants of Health
with Guest Speaker: William A. Bevacqua, President and CEO, CT Democracy Center
Monday, October 21, Noon- 1:30 PM,  Keller Auditorium and Main Lobby, UConn Health
In the 2023-2024 school year, Cold Spring School 4th and 5th graders participated in a yearlong study of what it means to have a voice and cast a vote in American society using the guiding question, How do “we the people” form a “more perfect union”? By examining primary documents as well as taking field trips around the city of New Haven, students learned how, throughout Connecticut’s history, activists have raised their voices to demand enfranchisement for marginalized groups.  Each student created original artwork that depicted voice raisers, change makers or historical events that lead to enfranchisement.  Now 5th and 6th graders, join the students from Cold Spring School as they help Get out the Vote on UConn’s campus.

SEMINAR
Charting a Path toward Emotional Well-Being: Perspectives from the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
Thursday, October 24, 12:30 AM, virtual, UConn InCHIP  Lecture Series
Janine M. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. joined OBSSR as the Deputy Director in January 2024. In this role, she supports the OBSSR Director and staff in strategic planning, developing scientific initiatives, ensuring strong communication with internal and external stakeholders, and implementing plans to advance the coordination, integration, and impact of behavioral and social sciences research.

SCREENING
Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer
Tuesday, October 29, 6:00-7:30 PM, Keller Auditorium, UConn Health, Diversity and Inclusion
Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer is short film documenting the journey of two transmasculine people, their families, and their communities, as they navigate breast cancer and ovarian cancer within the medical system. The evening will consist of the documentary screening, Q&A with filmmaker Yee Won Chong, and a reception in the Keller Lobby with light refreshments. RSVP to this event here.

Happening in November

SEMINAR
Using Pronouns: Actualizing Inclusivity
Thursday, November 14, 11:00 AM, virtual, UConn Graduate School Timely Topics Series
The Rainbow Center (RC) will present the current best practices to support LGBTQIA+ students in higher education settings. Topics discussed include SOGI(E) definitions, pronoun usage, chosen names and supporting research. The RC will also give an overview of current Gender Inclusive Initiatives. Participants will have a chance to engage in discussion and ask questions. Please register to receive a Webex link for this event.

 

In the news…

  • Get to know 2024 UConn Health Graduate School Commencement speaker: Nuratu Quarshie

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Heritage Celebrations and Daily Observances

 

JANUARY

16th: National Religious Freedom Day
3rd Monday: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

FEBRARY

Black History Month
20th: World Day of Social Justice

MARCH

National Women's History Month
March 13-April 13: National Deaf History Month
8th: International Women's Day
31st: Cesar Chavez Day

APRIL

National Arab American Heritage Month

MAY

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Haitian Heritage Month
Older Americans Month
Mental Health Awareness Month

JUNE

LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month
12th: Loving Day
19th: Juneteenth
20th: World Refugee Day

AUGUST

Diversity Awareness Month
9th: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

SEPTEMBER

Suicide Prevention Month
Sept. 15-Oct. 15: National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month
16th: Trail of Tears Remembrance Day

OCTOBER

National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month
Filipino American Heritage Month
LGBTQ+ History Month
World Mental Health Day
12th: Dia de la Raza
14th: Indigenous People's Day

NOVEMBER

National American Indian and Alaska Native Month
13th: World Kindness Day

DECEMBER

1st: World AIDS Day
10th: International Human Rights Day