The implementation team has received a variety of questions regarding cultural and awareness recognitions and events such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month - which begins June 1 - and Juneteenth. As cultural and awareness recognitions and observance of federal holidays are permitted under federal guidelines as well as SB 1, university guidance is as follows:
- Events, programs, recognitions and university participation in cultural awareness months/days and federal holidays is allowed. Any event or program related to these activities needs to clearly communicate that it is open and welcoming to all without respect to protected class. The event, program or recognition cannot be “for” or “intended primarily to benefit” an underrepresented group.
- The above types of events and recognitions can be communicated on university channels such as websites, email and social media. However, communications or messaging that take a position, engage in advocacy for or expand on the cultural or awareness month beyond recognizing it – either via university channels (including email and social media) or when speaking or making a statement in a university capacity are paused as additional portions of SB 1 related to university statements on controversial topics or issues are analyzed.
- It is important to note that the above guidance does not prohibit any individual person’s ability to make statements or represent their own, individual views, or the freedom of faculty to teach, conduct research and publish research findings.
Updated: May 29, 2025