CHICO — For the first time in Chico State’s history, on June 17 the university will recognize Juneteenth as a paid holiday for teachers, faculty and staff and will become the first school in the California State University system to do so.
The holiday, which represents African American Emancipation Day, is traditionally celebrated on June 19, but will be celebrated on Thursday, June 17 in 2021 at Chico State because June 19 falls on a Saturday.
On September 16, 2020, the Associated Students Board of Directors unanimously voted to include Juneteenth as a paid holiday each year at the university after the idea was introduced by students on the board. The 2020-2021 Associated Students President Bre Holbert helped lead the effort to establish Juneteenth as a holiday.
Former Associated Students Director of Legislative Affairs and member of the Associated Students Board of Directors Anthony Ruiz was involved in the decision making in 2020 and said that he believes having Juneteenth as a recognized and paid holiday is necessary at all CSU’s and Associated Student groups. Ruiz currently serves as Vice President of Finance for the California State Student Association while he completes his Master’s degree at Chico State.
“The acknowledgment of Juneteenth ensures that the history of the Black Community is recognized and commemorates their history while honoring the legacy of their ancestors and descendants,” Ruiz said. “It also acknowledges the systemic racism that has derived hundreds of years ago and is still very much prevalent across all social institutions.”
Ruiz added that the fact that the decision was led by a student-led group is incredibly significant. He said the Associated Students at Chico State has always focused its efforts on enriching the lives of students by having student leaders make decisions and allowing them the opportunity to make enactable change.
“Students have the power and ability to advocate for what they want and use their voice to make positive change,” Ruiz said. “Student voice is not always heard due to higher education politics, and nor do they have the opportunity to state their concerns directly to proper channels like university administration so I’m incredibly proud when students are able to accomplish remarkable feats like this.”
According to Juneteenth.com, Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and began in Galveston, Texas in 1865.
“Chico State hopes to be an example for the rest of the CSU system (and the entire country) that the culture, transgressions, and success of the Black community need a day of recognition, celebration, and reflection regardless of the demographics of our campuses or auxiliaries,” Chico State announced in a press release Friday.
The Link LonkJune 12, 2021 at 06:26PM
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Juneteenth recognized as paid holiday at Chico State for first time in school’s history - Chico Enterprise-Record
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