User:Joemalasa/sandbox

History of Asian American Student Organizations
The earliest recorded histories of Asian students attending the University is by Chinese and Japanese students in the late 19th century. However, the majority of Asian-identifying students started to matriculate in the 1970s and 1980s. This is due to their parents being able to immigrate after the passage of multiple laws in 1965 and then being able to send their children to college. This is also because at this time period, integration of universities began mandated by the government. Throughout the East Coast, new "associations" began to form starting with small groups attempting to either foster community or to amplify Asian voices regarding advocacy. At the University of Virginia, many small groups of Asian-Americans who identified with both Asian and American upbringing began to create programming and membership based off of different cultural identities. Student Council in the 80s housed a specific committee to center around Asian-American expression and initiatives.

Major Events and Initiatives
Many of the Asian-American organizations focus on community building and cultural awareness. The majority of the organizations participate in the recruitment fair then have a welcome week or family week. There are also events that focus on promoting different social issues and meeting other communities. One of the largest events for different cultural communities would be their cultural shows which have the ability to showcase cultural performances, skits that talk about various cultural issues, and opportunities for event planning and organizing by the members.

A recent conference that happened last year was an ECAASU (East Coast Asian American Student Union) Campus Tour which centered around building an AAPI community. The Asian Student Union and Organization of Young Filipino Americans worked together to try and promote more sustainable leadership at building Asian-American leadership empowerment engagement. There has also been significant interaction with the Asian American Studies minor program to try and increase and advocate for ethnic studies.

Changes and Critiques of the Current Asian American Community at UVA
Since the 80s, there has been a sort of conglomeration of Asian Americans in different CIOs. Although primarily many Asian-Americans choose to actively participate in solely their own ethnic organization, there has been a clear change in organizations becoming more towards a "organizational culture" than just its "ethnic culture". Not many are explicitly barred from joining organizations even if they have no ethnic ties, and are often encouraged. Many of the CIOs have become quite large in membership, often boasting some of the largest membership of student organizations at the University. The model of trying to accept as many as possible has been adopted by Cultural CIOs, however the greek fraternities and sororities have remained rush based. More of the organizations have began to explore and acknowledge its stake in representing the Asian American voice to the rest of UVA as well as getting more engaged in political issues. However, institutions are only starting to apply "advocacy" committees and still remain relatively "apolitical" or "prioritizing social and cultural identity" instead.

The Comprising Members of the Asian Leaders Council
With the different Asian-American communities increasing in events and membership, the organizations began to unite under its umbrella organization of the Asian Student Union. This coalition sought to better organize the events of the Asian-American community, to discuss issues regarding The Asian Leaders Council (ALC) is a group made up of the leaders of the University Asian/Asian Pacific American community committed to fostering the growth of the A/APA community through collaboration, coordination, and cooperation.

alpha Kappa Delta Phi (aKDPhi)
With 54 chapters across the continent, alpha Kappa Delta Phi is the largest, fastest-growing, and only international Asian-American interest sorority. Established in 1989 at UC Berkeley, aKDPhi has continued to blossom towards strength and unity. We were founded at UVA in the fall of 1999, the first Asian-American interest sorority in all of Virginia. We are individuals within our sorority, yet powerful as a group. We are not united by a single ethnicity, but rather strengthened in our diversity. We share a strong bond of love, friendship, and sisterhood. With a supportive network of sisters, each woman can strive to fulfill her personal, academic, and career goals.

Asian Student Union (ASU)
The Asian Student Union aims to unite, advocate for, and empower the A/APA community by fostering collaboration among A/APA organizations, providing programming for A/APA students, addressing A/APA concerns at the University, and advocating for A/APA issues.

Chinese Student Association (CSA)
The Chinese Student Association (CSA), as one of the largest Asian-American cultural organizations on grounds, seeks to promote awareness and appreciation for traditional and modern Chinese culture within the University and greater Charlottesville community. CSA hosts an array of cultural and social events designed to reach out to and bring together both native and ethnic Chinese, as well as the non-Chinese populations of UVA, in order to share and celebrate Chinese culture.

Indian Student Association (ISA)
The mission of the Indian Student Association at the University of Virginia (ISA at UVA) is to educate the university community about the culture, tradition, religions, and arts of the Indian sub-continent through discussion, cultural programs, service, advocacy, and social activities. Furthermore, ISA at UVA seeks to enable students of Indian origins to explore their ethnic heritage and disseminate their knowledge and experience to the community at large.

Japan Club (JC)
Japan Club at the University of Virginia is dedicated to promoting and facilitating interest for the Japanese language and culture within the University and the Charlottesville community. Japan Club provides various culturally immersive opportunities for individuals to deepen their understanding of Japan and its language. It also provides a social platform for individuals looking to share their interests or for those looking to learn more about Japan. Students of all backgrounds and Japanese language levels are encouraged to join!

Korean Student Association (KSA)
The Korean Student Association is a cultural organization that strives to spread and share Korean culture on Grounds. The organization welcomes students of all backgrounds to join! The organization is run by an executive board and an officer board, and all members are split into family groups that meet and hang out regularly. The organization holds a variety of events including Korea Day, KSA EXPO, and Taste of Korea. These events feature and celebrate Korean culture and food. There are other events and fundraising activities such as philanthropy events, workshops, holiday events, and family events for all students to take part in.

Lambda Phi Epsilon (LFE)
Lambda Phi Epsilon continues to establish and perpetuate Brotherhood and fellowship among its members. Part of that brotherhood is expressed in our motto "To Be Leaders Among Men." We not only seek to bring together a diverse group of men who share interest, concern, backgrounds and culture, but who believe that the strength of many are forged into the power of being one. Grounded on the principles of wisdom, honor, and courage; our Active Division continues to teach young men principles of leadership and strong moral character. Our Alumni Division then provides a forum in which brothers may apply these beliefs and become true leaders of society. It is that unique life long commitment to lead in every life that makes "the Lambdas" the most respected organization of its kind.

Mainland Student Network (MSN)
Mainland Student Network (MSN) is an undergraduate student organization at UVA. The primary purpose of MSN is to promote a sense of friendship and network among students whose first language is Chinese and help them get accustomed to the life on Grounds. This group includes, but is not limited to, those who are from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, etc. The secondary purpose of MSN is to promote Chinese and oriental culture and language at the University of Virginia.

Organization of Young Filipino Americans (OYFA)
The Organization of Young Filipino Americans (OYFA) was founded in 1988 by a group of Filipino-American UVA students who wanted to come together to support one another while also spreading awareness of their culture. From the beginning, inclusivity and identity was meant to be the guiding factors of the group. OYFA prioritizes community-building through addressing and adapting the various needs of their members. While OYFA acts to heighten appreciation for the Filipino culture, its values has attracted a diverse group of students. OYFA’s organizational structure comprises of an Executive Board, an Executive Council that holds 12 different committees with distinct purposes including representatives for the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND). In addition to its leadership structure, OYFA has a family system and alumni network that promotes strong personal connections throughout the entire organization. The organization holds various programming that provides a cultural, social, service, and academic network for the purpose of empowering their members and the Asian-American identity.

Sigma Psi Zeta (SYZ)
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. is a multicultural, Asian-interest Greek organization. We are a cultural, social, educational and community service-oriented sorority. Sigma Psi Zeta was founded in Albany, New York on March 23, 1994 and brought to the University of Virginia as the Lambda Chapter on December 1, 2001. Our philanthropy is to raise awareness of and combat violence against women.

Taiwanese Student Association (TSA)
The Taiwanese Student Association at UVA is dedicated to promoting Taiwanese culture and creating a social platform for the community to learn about Taiwan's culture. All students, regardless of cultural background, are invited to join!

Thai Student Organization (TSO)
Thai Student Organization (TSO) was formed in the fall semester of 1998 to share and retain Thai culture, language and traditions throughout the University and Charlottesville community.

Vietnamese Student Association (VSA)
The Vietnamese Student Association at The University of Virginia is dedicated to the general development of the student body. We strive to learn and maintain numerous aspects of the Vietnamese culture and traditions. In doing so, we hope to bring students with Vietnamese heritage and others who have interests in Vietnam together to create opportunities to have fun, assist each other, make life-long friendships, and build leadership skills throughout our college careers. The need for new members will always be encouraged without discrimination towards ethnicity, gender or religion. Altogether, we strive to be recognized as the voice of youths and extend our culture to highlight cultural diversity at UVA and in the Charlottesville community.

Other Asian-American Organizations on Grounds
The Asian Pacific American Leadership Training Institute (APALTI) provides a small group of first- and second-year students the opportunity to explore their leadership style through a multicultural lens and acquire valuable tools and skills over the course of a semester. If selected, APALTI participants will enter the series of workshops with a small cohort of fellow student leaders, and will continue through the experience together, thereby creating a strong support network.

Peer Advising Family Network (PAFN) is one of the largest and most diverse A/APA organizations at the University of Virginia and is a pan-ethnic, multicultural program that helps incoming Asian/Asian Pacific American students with their transition into college.

The Society of Asian Scientist and Engineers (SASE): Our mission is to prepare Asian heritage students for success, promote diversity and tolerance, and provide career potential opportunities.