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PCC Board of Directors approves college holiday for Juneteenth (Friday, June 19)

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The Portland Community College Board of Directors has voted unanimously to make Juneteenth (Friday, June 19) an official college holiday. PCC joins the City of Portland and Multnomah County in their historic proclamations this week.

“Juneteenth is a day when our nation took an important and large step toward bridging the gap between what our founding documents promised and what our nation actually delivered, in terms of a universal claim of equality for all,” said PCC President Mark Mitsui. “It is especially important that Oregonians engage this history, as we continue to reconcile our own legacy of systemic racism and exclusionary laws that targeted Black Americans. I hope this holiday can be a catalyst for our on-going anti-racist work and will be a time when we celebrate the accomplishments, the cultures, and the hundreds of years of struggle of our Black communities.”

Classified employees who are required to work on this day will receive additional pay and Academic Professionals will receive an alternate paid holiday. In addition, with summer term starting on Monday, June 22, the college is committed to providing students the assistance and support.

Remote support and services that will remain open on Juneteenth include:

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »