SUBJECT:

UCSD Black History Month February 2004

I am pleased to announce that UCSD will celebrate Black History Month 2004 with a series of programs and activities focusing on the achievements of African Americans, and I encourage faculty, staff and students to participate in this important observance. Because this year has marked the 50th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education, our 2004 Black History Month theme is "50 Years of Challenges and Triumphs for African Americans: Reflecting on our Past, Challenging the Present and Shaping our Future in Higher Education."

UCSD's Black History Month schedule will feature:

* Revelle College's Black History Month Celebration Soul Food Luncheon
   and Debut of the UCSD Women's Gospel Chorus on Wednesday, February 11,
   from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Revelle College Plaza Café.

* The 2nd Annual UCSD Black History Month Celebration Brunch on
   Saturday, February 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the UCSD
   Faculty Club. This year's brunch will feature UCSD alumnus, attorney
   and "Court TV" anchor James Curtis and will include performances by
   local choirs, a soul food brunch and a silent auction to raise funds
   for undergraduate scholarships at UCSD.

* Gospel Fest 2004 on Friday, February 27, at 6:00pm in the Price Center
   Theater.

Please visit http://blackhistorymonth.ucsd.edu for detailed program information.

In recognition of this annual event, I am approving two hours of administrative leave with pay that employees may apply to their attendance at a UCSD Black History Month activity, when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties.

On behalf of the campus community, I would like to express deep appreciation to the members of the UCSD Black History Month Planning Committee for their work on this UCSD celebration. They are: Dr. Renee Barnett Terry and Dr. Darlene V. Willis (Committee Co-Chairs), Stephanie Akpa (AASU), Devon Fields (AASU), Pamela Fruge (Alumni Association), Gail Gipson (School of Pharmacy), Bobbie Gray (Career Services Center), Ashanti Houston Hands (Thurgood Marshall College), Dr. Catherine Joseph (Warren College), Ebonie Rayford (Muir College), Shereena Turner (AASU), Nicole Williams (AASU).

Please join me, the members of the UCSD Black History Month Planning Committee, and our colleagues and guests as we celebrate Black History Month at UCSD.

Marsha A. Chandler Acting Chancellor