Celebrating civil rights through a day of service

The following content first appeared on the news page while UMass Global operated under its former name of Brandman University.

This Monday, Jan. 18, Americans will remember the legacy and accomplishments of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. According to AmeriCorps, MLK Day is the only federal holiday commemorated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

Chancellor Gary Brahm and Vice Chancellor of Equity and Inclusion Jalin B. Johnson are inviting faculty and staff to find ways this Monday to safely be of service to others.

Chancellor Brahm and Vice Chancellor Johnson are encouraging faculty and staff to set aside an hour’s time that day for service activities. In doing so, employees should make appropriate arrangements with their supervisors.

Brandman leadership is considering updating its 2022 holiday schedule. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is collaborating with Academic Affairs to figure out what scheduling adjustments would need to be implemented to designate Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an observed holiday instead of the current practice of setting aside a floating holiday.

To learn how to safely volunteer during a pandemic, this recording of AmeriCorps' “MLK Day of Service in the time of COVID 19” webinar is available for viewing.

“While we each navigate the daily mandates of life’s responsibilities amidst the ongoing pandemic, it is important that we consider safety as a priority,” Johnson said. “This year, while observing MLK day, we can follow the examples set by community based organizations and explore opportunities to be of service.”