Messages from the Vice President

Just days ago, Provost Chris Long and I welcomed a small group from the Class of 2029 during their tour of Tykeson Hall, part of the New Student Fall Retreat — a signature student success program from the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence. Filled with a mixture of anxiety and awe, their presence reminded me of the amazing opportunity that all members of our community have to learn from and alongside future leaders of Oregon, America and the world...

As the foliage changes hue on our sprawling 295-acre campus, we’re reminded that change is constant. We’re also reminded of the beauty that exists all around us. Not unlike the biodiversity of the trees on our campus, cultural diversity adds richness to the Oregon experience...

Also known “Freedom Day,” Juneteenth is an annual American holiday that commemorates the conclusion of military efforts to maintain chattel slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. This occurred more than two years President Abraham Lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation, freeing enslaved human beings in other states. Today, it is widely recognized as a holiday that commemorates the liberation of enslaved African Americans in the United States...

This month, the University recognizes, acknowledges, and celebrates the achievements and impact of our LGBTQIA+ community. And while we are proud that our campus has been included among the top LGBTQIA+-friendly campuses in the nation, we realize that homophobia and transphobia still exist on our campus and throughout the world. As a collective, it is imperative that we commit ourselves to co-creating a campus culture where everyone feels loved and empowered.

By Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh

By Yvette M. Alex-AssensohIn 2006, May became federally recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month. In the years since, Americans of all walks of life have been exploring and celebrating the beauty of the Jewish experience, both past and present. It is also an important reminder to educate ourselves and others on modern antisemitism locally, regionally and nationally. 

For our campus community, Black History Month offers an opportunity to highlight the historical contributions of Black people at the UO, in the Eugene community and throughout Oregon. It is an annual celebration that takes place each February in the United States and Canada, and every October in the United Kingdom.

Native American people were our nation’s first artists, inventors, scientists, and stewards of the land where we live, learn, work and play today. In Oregon, their descendants make up 4% of the total population and live in every county of our state. They are not a monolith: some are members of the nine federally-recognized tribes, others are not.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month dedicated to celebrating the value and talent Americans with disabilities contribute to our nation’s workplaces and economy. This year’s theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” reminds us that everyone, regardless of ability, deserves an opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in meaningful employment.