Juneteenth holiday on Friday (email to employees)

Dear colleagues,

This year has exposed the painful realities of systemic racism in our community and challenged us all to step up and be active participants in creating a more just society. As we approach the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, The University of Tulsa community must acknowledge our history, locally and nationally, and be a leader in establishing initiatives that promote accountability and institutional change across our campus.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. With the full support of Interim President Janet Levit, we will initiate our commitment to generate positive change by recognizing Juneteenth as an official TU campus holiday this Friday, June 19.

TU faculty and staff are encouraged to honor this holiday by participating in Juneteenth events, engaging in educational resources, supporting local black-owned businesses and taking the time to reconnect with our community.

This is just the start. We have a long way to go. Recognizing Juneteenth is the beginning of many proactive steps that we will take to build a campus culture that actively addresses disparities and supports our community – especially in times of need. Please enjoy the additional time off to spend – safely – with your family and friends, making a difference.

Respectfully,
The TU Office of Diversity and Engagement