<div dir="ltr"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-661d9e0b-7fff-d536-ff76-f84bd7af7285"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent">Dear Campus Community,</span><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="background-color:transparent"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">This Wednesday, SUNY Plattsburgh will proudly raise the Juneteenth flag outside Hawkins Hall, where it will remain until Thursday, June 20, 2024, as a symbol of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.The colors of the flag are often seen in decorations, clothing, and various forms of celebration during Juneteenth events. 
</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li><span style="background-color:transparent">Red: Represents the resilience and sacrifice of African Americans.</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Green: Symbolizes growth, prosperity, and the promise of a bright future.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" role="presentation"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Black: Represents the African American community.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre"><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:12pt" role="presentation"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">White: Often used in the Juneteenth flag to symbolize the struggle for freedom.</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the true ending of slavery in the United States, marking the moment when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were told of their freedom—two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the long and arduous journey toward justice and equality.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">While Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans since the late 19th century, it gained national recognition as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed it into law as Juneteenth National Independence Day. This recognition underscores the significance of this day in our nation's history and its relevance to our present and future.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">SUNY Plattsburgh will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, to honor this vital moment in history. We encourage our campus community to reflect on the profound resilience and contributions of Black Americans who have faced and overcome immense adversity. This legacy is a testament to strength, endurance, and the relentless pursuit of civil rights and social justice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Our campus is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that respects and honors the histories and experiences of all its members. Juneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Black community and to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of achieving true equity and inclusion.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Let us use this day to educate ourselves, engage in meaningful conversations, and participate in activities that honor the spirit of Juneteenth. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="color:rgb(68,71,70);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">In addition, we encourage SUNY Plattsburgh community members to participate in Juneteenth programs on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 9 am to 4 pm including a Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Center Healing Circle that will be hosted at 3 pm at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid, NY. Transportation is available by emailing </span><span style="color:rgb(11,87,208);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><a href="mailto:dupr6217@plattsburgh.edu">dupr6217@plattsburgh.edu</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="color:rgb(68,71,70);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">For a full schedule, please refer to the following schedule: </span><a href="https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/www.paulsmiths.edu/dist/2/115/files/2024/06/Final-Juneteenth-program-for-2024.pdf" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="color:rgb(11,87,208);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/www.paulsmiths.edu/dist/2/115/files/2024/06/Final-Juneteenth-program-for-2024.pdf</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Together, we can continue to build a community that values diversity and strives for justice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Sincerely,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Dr. Alexander Enyedi</span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">President</span></p><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Allison Heard</span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;vertical-align:baseline">Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion</span></span><br clear="all"></font><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><br></div>