President Martha E. Pollack and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Mary Opperman sent the following message to faculty and staff on the Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses June 17:

Juneteenth, the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, is celebrated on June 19. This year, as our country confronts its history of racism and oppression, it is especially important for us to pause on Juneteenth to reflect on how we – collectively and individually – will act to finally address barriers to equality that exist across our nation.

Earlier today, Governor Cuomo signed an executive order making this Friday a holiday for state employees. We have decided to also make this Friday a holiday for our Ithaca and Cornell Tech faculty and staff. We ask that you take the day off from your regular duties and responsibilities to read, reflect, and engage in conversations with family, friends and colleagues. For those whose work must continue, we will provide premium pay so that essential work continues.