DIVERSITY UNIT EVENTS AND HOLY DAYS
2014-2015
Native American holy days: Though there are no set dates, major ceremonies
tend to fall around the full moon and the solstices.
Items in bold print: Items in bold have been added since the last posting.
Saturday,
September 13,
2014
CMU & You Day
Football Stadium
Admissions
Sunday,
September 15,
2014, through
Tuesday,
October 15,
2014
HISPANIC HERITAGE
MONTH
Events listed separately as below
MASS
Monday,
September 15,
2014, 7:00pm
Michael Reyes:
Mexican/Chicano Identity
and History Through
Spoken Word
UC Auditorium
MASS
Tuesday,
September 16,
2014, 2:00pm
Hispanic Heritage Month
Kickoff-Movies with MASS
CID
MASS
Friday,
September 19,
2014,
Social Justice Dialogues
CID
LGBTQ
Tuesday,
September 23,
2014, 3:29am
Mabon/Autumnal Equinox
(Wiccan holy day)
Observance of the autumnal equinox
when day and night are of equal
length. A harvest festival time. This
is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Tuesday,
September 23,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & SubstanceFerguson to Mount
Pleasant: Police, Race, and
Life on Campus
Bovee UC Rotunda
ODE,
CHSBS
and others
Tuesday,
September 23,
2014, 5:00p
Hispanic Heritage Month
Food Taster feat. Live
Mariachi Band
Bovee UC Rotunda
MASS
Admission: CMU Students
free $3 with I.D., others $5
Friday,
September 24,
2014,
7:35pm,
through
Sunday,
September 26,
2014, 7:31pm
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish
New Year)
Begins at sundown and traditionally
was ten days of penitence which
concluded on Yom Kippur. In
modern times, the first two days are
most important. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday,
September 25,
2014,
7:00pm9:00pm
Zumba with Officer Rico
Gym#1, SAC
MASS
OCTOBER
DISABILITY AWARENESS
MONTH
Events listed separately as below
ADAC,
ODE, and
many
others
Thursday,
October 2,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance-Latinos
and Free Market
Fundamentalism
Bovee UC Rotunda
ODE
Thursday,
October 2,
2014, 8:00pm
Central Michigan University
Symphony Orchestra in
celebration of Hispanic
Heritage Month
Staples Family Concert Hall
School of
Music
Friday,
October 3,
2014,
7:18pm,
through
Saturday,
October 4,
2014, 7:16pm
Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of
Atonement; full fasting)
Begins at sundown and is 24 hours
of full fasting. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Free and open to the public
Friday,
October 3,
2014, 2:00pm
CMU Latino Alumni Panel
Moore Hall 105
MASS,
Latino
Alumni
Chapter
Friday,
October 3,
2014, 3:00pm
Social Justice Dialogues
CID
LGBTQ
Saturday,
October 4,
2014, 7:18p
through
Tuesday,
October 7,
2014, at
7:16pm
Eid al-Adha (Islamic Feast
of the Sacrifice)
Begins at sundown.
Commemoration of Prophet
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his
son to God. Also commemorates
the pilgrims that are performing the
obligatory pilgrimage referred to as
Hajj. Date can vary depending on
the country. This is a religious holy
day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
October 6,
through
Saturday,
October 11,
2014
COMING OUT WEEK
A week of celebration and
remembrance of the coming out
experiences of people who are gay,
lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender.
Events listed separately below.
LGBTQ,
and allies
Monday,
October 6,
2014,
8:00am5:00pm
Why Coming Out MattersPhoto Shoot
CID
LGBTQ,
and allies
Wednesday,
October 6,
2014,
7:00pm10:00pm
Drag Queen Bingo
Hosted by Sabin, University Center
Auditorium
LGBTQ,
and allies
Tuesday,
October 7,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance: Coming
Out Week
Bovee UC Terrace A-D
ODE/LGBT
Q/Greek
Life
**Daylight savings time
ends during this holy day,
thus the great change in
sundown times between
October 4 and October 5.
Tuesday,
October 7,
2014, 7:00pm
Coming Out at Kaya
Hosted by Spectrum, Kaya Coffee
House
LGBTQ,
and allies
Tuesday,
October 7,
2014, 7:00pm
N*gger, Wetb*ck, Ch*nk
(NWC)
Plachta Auditorium
MASS,
Program
Board
Wednesday,
October 8,
2014,
8:00pm9:00pm
Sex, Genderf**ked
CID
LGBTQ,
and allies
Thursday,
October 9,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Trans 101
Hosted by Transcend, CID
LGBTQ,
and allies
Thursday,
October 9,
2014, 7:00pm
Documentary & Discussion:
Latinos American-The 500
year legacy that shaped a
nation
UC Auditorium
MASS
Friday,
October 10,
2014,
1:00pm3:00pm
Safe Zone Training
Rowe 229
LGBTQ
Saturday,
October 11,
2014
National Coming Out Day
A national day of celebration and
remembrance of the coming out
experiences of people who are gay,
lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender.
Saturday,
October 11,
2014
TJ Sullivan: Gay & GreekExploring the intersection
Plachta Auditorium
Monday,
October 13,
2014
Indigenous People’s Day
A day celebrating Indigenous
peoples’ resistance of colonialism
and the historical truths behind it.
Monday,
October 13,
2014 Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance-Truth
Behind Columbus
UC Terrace Rooms A-D
LGBTQ,
and allies
NAP, ODE,
SCIT
Monday,
October 13,
2014 1:00pm4:00pm
Misconception of ColumbusInformation Table
Bovee UC: Grass Area
NAP, SCIT,
Ziibiwing
Center
Monday,
October 13,
2014 4:30pm6:00pm
Film & Discussion: The
Canary Effect
UC Auditorium
NAP, SCIT,
Ziibiwing
Center
Tuesday,
October 14,
2014, 7:00pm
Hispanic Heritage Month
Keynote: Joe HernandezKolski “Cultural Collisions:
Commentary for a
Changing America”
Plachta Auditorium
MASS,
Program
Board
Friday,
October 17,
2014, 3:00pm
Social Justice Dialogues
CID
LGBTQ
Tuesday,
October 21,
2014,
Speak Up Speak Out:
Elections 2014: What
Matters on Election Day this
Year?
Park Library Auditorium
CHSBS
and others
Thursday,
October 23,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance-Special
Olympics 101
UC Terrace Rooms A-D
ODE,
Special
Olympics
Saturday,
October 25,
2014,
5:03pm,
through
Sunday,
October 26,
2014, 5:02pm
Hijra (Islamic New Year)
The first day of the first month
(Muharram) of the Islamic year,
begins at sundown. This is a
religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Friday,
October 31,
2014,
Samhain (Wiccan New Year,
northern hemisphere)
A time for meditation and
remembering of those who have
passed away, coinciding with the
end of the harvest. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
7:00pm9:00pm
events will be posted separately.
November
NATIVE AMERICAN
HERITAGE MONTH
Events listed separately below
NAP
Saturday,
November 1,
2014, Noon
Environmental Awareness
Day; gather at noon in UC
108 and disperse across
campus to clean Mother
Earth. Sign up on
http://cmich.orgsync.com
Center for Inclusion & Diversity
Conference Room, UC 108
NAISO
Monday,
November 3November 28,
2014, M-F
8:00am5:00pm
Debwewin/Truth: The
Mount Pleasant Indian
Industrial Boarding School
Experience Exhibit
CID
Ziibiwing
Center
Sunday,
November 2,
2014,
5:30pm,
through
Monday,
November 3,
2014, 5:29pm
Ashura (Sunni Muslim holy
day)
Voluntary fast day. A time of
mourning commemorating the
martyrdom of Husayn, grandson of
the prophet. Date can vary
depending on country. This is a
religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday,
November 6,
2014
Guru Nanak’s Birthday
(Sikh holy day)
Commemorates the 1469 birth of
Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh
religion. This is a religious holy day
and is intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday,
November 6,
2014,
6:30pm8:00pm
Native American Heritage
Month Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Anton Treuer
Park Library Auditorium
NAP
Monday,
November 10,
2014,
5:00pm-
Native American Heritage
Month Food Taster and
Dance Demonstration
UC Rotunda
NAP,
SCIT/Ziibi
wing
Center
http://goo.gl/OlM15d
$3 with CMU Student I.D.
7:00pm
$5 all others
Wednesday,
November 12,
2014,
5:00pm9:00pm
Movie and discussion:
Incident at Oglala, The
Leonard Peltier Story
UC Auditorium
NAP, SCIT
Thursday,
November 13,
2014, 5:008:00p
Unified Holiday
UC Rotunda
MASS
Friday,
November 17,
2014, 3:00pm
Social Justice Dialogues
CID
LGBTQ
Friday,
November 17,
2014,
6:30pm8:30pm
Indian Radio Days Readers’
Theater
Park Library Auditorium
NAP,
Ziibiwing
Center
Tuesday,
November 18,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance-Torn:
Recovering California’s
Stolen Cultural Heritage
UC Terrace Rooms A-D
ODE, NAP
Wednesday,
November 19,
2014,
Speak Up Speak Out:
International Hot Spots
Park Library Auditorium
CHSBS
and others
Friday,
November 28,
2014, 3:00pm
Social Justice Dialogues
CID
LGBTQ
Thursday,
December 4,
2014, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance: First
Generation to Graduation
UC Terrace Rooms A-D
ODE,
Pathways
Wednesday,
December 17,
2014,
5:04pm,
Hannukah (Jewish Festival
of Lights)
Eight-day commemoration of the
Maacabean recapture and
rededication of the second Temple in
165 BCE, begins at sundown. This is
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
7:00pm9:00pm
through
Thursday,
December 24,
2014, 5:05pm
a religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
separately.
Saturday,
December 20,
2014,
5:04pm,
through
Sunday,
December 21,
2014, 5:05pm
Yule (Wiccan holy day)
A celebration of the winter-born
king, symbolized by the rebirth of
the sun. This is a religious holy day
and is intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday,
December 25,
2014
Christmas (Christian holy
day)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
and is one of the most joyous days
of the Christian year. This is a
religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Friday,
December 26,
2014, through
Thursday,
January 1,
2015
Kwanzaa
Pan-African holiday celebrating
family, community, and culture.
This is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday,
January 1,
2015
Gantan-sai (Shinto New
Year)
This is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
January 5,
2015
Mahayana (Buddhist holy
day)
Monday,
January 5
through Friday
January 30,
In Our Family: Portraits of
All Kinds of Families
Photograph Exhibit
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Center for Inclusion and Diversity
(UC 108)
ODE
2015,
8:00am5:00pm
Wednesday,
January 7,
2015
Nativity of Christ (Orthodox
Christian holy day)
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
and is one of the most joyous days
of the Orthodox Christian year. This
is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
January 19,
2015, 10:00aNoon
MLK Jr CommUnity Peace
Brunch
Finch Fieldhouse
MASS
Monday,
January 19,
2015, Noon2:00p
MLK Jr Day of Service
UC Rotunda
Volunteer
Center
Monday,
January 19,
2015, 3:00p5:00p
MLK Jr March and Vigil
Downtown Mount Pleasant, Town
Center
MASS
Tuesday,
January 20,
2015, 1:00pm
Eyes on the Prize:
America’s Civil Rights Years
Documentary
Center for Inclusion & Diversity
Conference Room, UC 108
MASS
Wednesday,
January 21,
2015, 7:00pm
MLK Week Keynote
Speaker: Negin Farsad
Plachta Auditorium
MASS
Thursday,
January 22,
2015, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance: Are We
Living in a Dream World
UC Rotunda
ODE
Thursday,
January 22,
2015, 1:00pm
Eyes on the Prize:
America’s Civil Rights Years
Documentary
Center for Inclusion & Diversity
Conference Room, UC 108
MASS
Thursday,
January 22,
2015, 6:00pm
MLK Jr. Charity Student &
Faculty/Staff Basketball
Game
Small Sports Forum, SAC
MASS
Donations accepted
Friday,
January 23,
2015, 1:00pm
Eyes on the Prize:
America’s Civil Rights Years
Documentary
Center for Inclusion & Diversity
Conference Room, UC 108
MASS
Saturday,
January, 24,
6:00pm
22nd Annual Unity Ball
featuring Theater Stage
Play “Soul of a Nation”
UC Rotunda
MASS
$10 student
$15 faculty/staff
Monday,
January 26,
2015,
7:00pm9:00pm
Speak Up Speak Out:
Public Health and Vaccines
Park Library Auditorium
CHSBS
and others
Tuesday,
February, 10,
2015, 7:00pm
Black History Month
Keynote Speaker: Michelle
Alexander
Plachta Auditorium
MASS,
Program
Board
Sunday,
February 15,
2015
Nirvana Day (Buddhist holy
day)
In the Northern tradition, this is the
anniversary of Buddha’s passing
away. Date can vary depending on
country. This is a religious holy day
and is intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
February 16,
2015,
5:00pm7:00pm
Black History Month Food
Taster
UC Rotunda
MASS
Thursday,
February 17,
2015, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance: BHM
UC Terrace Rooms A-D
ODE
Thursday,
February 17,
2015,
7:00pm-
Black History Month
Documentary: Hidden
Colors
UC Auditorium
MASS,
Omega Psi
Phi
$3 with CMU Student I.D.
$5 all others
9:00pm
Wednesday,
February 18,
2015
Ash Wednesday (Christian
holy day)
Beginning of Lent, a period of
abstinence. This is a religious holy
day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Wednesday,
February 18,
2015
Miseducation of Black Greek
TBA
MASS
Thursday,
February 19,
2015
Chinese/Lunar New Year
(Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist
holy day)
A festive holiday celebrated for
about two weeks. This is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
February 23,
through
Friday, March
13, 2015,
Spoken: Art Exhibit
Center for Inclusion and Diversity
(UC 108)
ODE, SAPA
Wednesday,
February 25,
2015,
7:00pm9:00pm
Speak Up Speak Out: Join
the National Conversation:
Sexual Assault on College
Campuses
Park Library Auditorium
CHSBS
and others
Thursday,
March 5, 2015
Magha Puja Day (Buddhist
holy day)
Celebration of the presentation of
teachings by Lord Buddha to an
assembly of holy men. Date can
vary depending on the country. This
is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday,
March 16,
2015,
7:00pm9:00pm
Chinese Acrobats, as a part
of APAHM
UC Rotunda
MASS
8:00am5:00pm
Thursday,
March 19,
2015, 7:49pm
to Friday,
March 20,
2015, 7:50pm
Ostara (Wiccan holy day)
A celebration of the young Sun
God’s sacred marriage with the
young Maiden Goddess. This is a
religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Friday, March
20, 2015,
7:50pm to
Saturday,
March 21,
2015, 7:51pm
Naw Ruz (Baha'i & Iranian
New Year)
This is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Saturday,
March 21
through March
22, 2015
11am-7pm
26th Annual
Central Michigan University
Pow wow “Celebrating Life”
CMU Event Center
NAISO,
AISE, NAP,
CID, and
SCIT
Tuesday,
March 24,
2015,
7:00pm9:00pm
Speak Up Speak Out:
This Panel is on Drugs
Park Library Auditorium
CHSBS
and others
Tuesday,
March 26,
2015, Noon1:00pm
Soup & Substance: APAHM
UC Rotunda
ODE
Saturday,
March 28,
2015
Ramanavami (Hindu holy
day)
Celebrates the birth of Shri Rama,
one of the incarnates of the Hindu
gods Vishnu; fasting is common on
this date. Date can vary depending
on country. This is a religious holy
day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Sunday,
Palm Sunday (Christian
The feast commemorates Jesus'
Religious
Adults- $7
Elders- $5
Youth- $5
SCIT members– Free
CMU students– Free
Children– Free
March 29,
2015
Holy Day)
triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an
event mentioned in all four canonical
Gospels.
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Tuesday,
March 31,
2015,
5:00pm7:00pm
Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month Food Taster
UC Rotunda
MASS
Friday, April 3,
2015
Good Friday (Christian holy
day)
Commemoration of Jesus’
crucifixion. This is a religious holy
day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Saturday,
April 4, 2015,
8:08pm to
Saturday,
April 11,
2015, 8:16pm
Pesach/Passover (Jewish
holy day)
The first two nights are the most
important. Dietary restrictions last
the whole week. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Sunday, April
5, 2015
Easter (Christian Holy Day)
Celebration of Christ’s resurrection
from the dead. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Tuesday, April
7, 2015,
7:00pm9:00pm
APAHM Keynote Speaker
Eddie Huang
Plachta Auditorium
MASS,
Program
Board
Sunday, April
12, 2015
Easter (Orthodox Christian
Holy Day)
Celebration of Christ’s resurrection
from the dead. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday, April
13, through
Friday, May 1,
2015,
8:00am-
16th Annual Faculty & Staff
Quilt Exhibit
Center for Inclusion and Diversity
(UC 108)
ODE
$3 with CMU Student I.D.
$5 all others
5:00pm
Tuesday, April
14, 2015
Baisakhi (Sikh holy day)
Commemorates the founding of the
Khalsa, a distinctive Sikh
brotherhood. This is a religious holy
day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Wednesday,
April 15, 2015
Lord’s Evening Meal
(Jehovah’s Witness
Christian holy day)
Observance of the one holiday
Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize—the
memorial of Christ’s death. This is a
religious holy day and is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Wednesday,
April 29,
2015, 8:38pm
to Friday, May
1, 2015,
8:40pm
Beltane (Wiccan holy day)
Celebration of fertility. This is a
joyous day, full of laughter and good
times. This is a religious holy day
and is intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Monday, May
4, 2015
Wesak/Buddha Day
(Theravada Buddhist)
Celebration of the birth,
enlightenment, and death of the
Buddha. Date can vary depending
on the country. This is a religious
holy day and is intended simply to
provide information—any related
events will be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Thursday, May
28, 2015,
9:09pm to
Friday, May
29, 2015,
9:10pm
Ascension of Baha'u'llah
(Baha’i holy day)
Commemorates the 1892 death of
the prophet-founder of the Baha’i
faith. This is a religious holy day
and is intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Friday, June
19, 2015
Juneteenth
Observed as the day African
Americans were emancipated. It is
the oldest known celebration of the
ending of slavery. This is intended
simply to provide information—any
related events will be posted
separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
Saturday,
June 20,
2015, 9:24pm
to Sunday,
June 21,
2015, 9:24pm
AISES
CHSBS
CID
EPIC
GEAR UP
KCP
LGBTQ
MASS
MPADG
NAISO
NAP
NFW
OCRIE
ODE
OIA
OID
Pathways
Spectrum
STEP
STO
Transcend
Litha/Summer Solstice
(Wiccan holy day)
Celebration of the sacred marriage
in which energy of the gods is
poured into the service of life. This
is a religious holy day and is
intended simply to provide
information—any related events will
be posted separately.
Religious
Holy Day—
events will
be posted
separately.
KEY
American Indian Science & Engineering Society, is a registered student
organization, 989-774-2508
College of Humanities & Social & Behavioral Sciences, 989-774-3341
Center for Inclusion and Diversity, an umbrella term for the student
hangout area & art gallery in UC 108 where GEARUP, LGBTQ, MASS,
ODE, NAP, Pathways and STEP are located
Equality, Pride, Impact & Change, 989-774-3637
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,
989-774-1585
King/Chavez/Parks grantee
Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer Services, 989-7743637, UC 110-A
Multicultural Academic Student Services, 989-774-3945, UC 112
Mt Pleasant Area Diversity Group, chair@mpadg.org
North American Indigenous Student Organization, a registered student
organization, 989-774-2508
Native American Programs, 989-774-2508, UC 110-C, nap@cmich.edu
Network for Women
Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity, 774-3253, RN 220
Office of Diversity Education, 989-774-7318, UC 110-B
Office for International Affairs
Office for Institutional Diversity, 989-774-3700
Pathways to Academic Success
Spectrum is a registered student organization
Student Transition Enrichment Program
Student Transition Organization, a registered student organization
Transcend is a registered student organization
Many groups above maintain a presence on Facebook.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Diversity Education at 989-7747318.