SUBJECT:

UC San Diego Black History Month, February 2008

I am pleased to announce that UC San Diego will celebrate Black History Month during February 2008 with a series of programs and activities focusing on the achievements of African Americans. Activities include discussions, poetry, speakers, and soul food. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate in this important observance. UC San Diego’s theme for this year’s celebration is UCSD Honors Black History Month: Rethinking American Identity which revolves around the works of Carter G. Woodson who was director of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and contributed significantly to forging an intellectual movement to educate Americans about cultural diversity and democracy.

To learn more about the month long activities, please visit: http://blackhistorymonth.ucsd.edu/

A sample of this year’s activities includes:

**A kickoff celebration for the annual campus-wide tradition at noon at the Price Center on Feb. 1st.

**Dimensions of Blackness: Essence of Music, Dance and Culture at 11:30 a.m. at Revelle College Plaza Café on Feb. 13th.

**Creative Expressions: Bomani Drummers at noon at Price Center Plaza on Feb. 20th.

In recognition of this annual event, I am approving two hours of administrative leave with pay for employees to attend a UC San Diego Black History Month activity. Supervisors, upon request, may approve the use of such leave when the absence does not infringe upon the performance of required job duties or patient care. On behalf of the campus community, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the members of the UCSD Black History Month Planning Committee for their work on this celebration.

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.

Marye Anne Fox Chancellor