About ASU
Summary
The Asian-American Student Union's mission is to provide educational,
cultural, social, and community activities for students within
and outside the University of Minnesota; and to promote understanding
of the diverse Asian/Pacific cultures to the University at large.
ASU is located in Coffman Union room 219. We are open from
10am to 5pm on weekdays, during which people can socialize,
watch television, or study. There are three new desktops at
your disposal and personal printing is free. We challenge you
to come by to meet people, learn more about ASU, and utilize
our resources.
ASU consists of general members--who attend our events and
utilize the ASU room--board members--who plan the events--and
affiliate organizations--who we partner with to do both of the
above. ASU board elections take place near the end of spring
semester. Run for a position. It's a great way to get involved!
Mission
The Asian-American Student Union’s mission is to provide
educational, cultural, social, and community activities for
students within and outside of the University of Minnesota;
and to promote understanding of the diverse Asian/Pacific cultures
to the University at large.
Relationships
The Asian-American Student Union is an affiliate organization
to thirteen separate student organizations. ASU serves as a
supportive role for these organizations by making resources
such as internet access, funds, and office space available to
them for their meetings and events. In addition, ASU acts as
a central voice for these organizations at the University and
the
Community. ASU and each of its affiliates1 have their own respective
executive boards and operate separately. ASU and its affiliates,
which constitute the General Assembly, meet monthly during the
academic year.
The Asian-American Student Union also reaches outside of the
campus to other colleges in the Twin Cities area through its
participation and sponsorship of the Twin Cities Asian Representative
(TCAR) group. Representatives from campuses such as the University
of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, Hamline University,
and Macalaster College meet to plan educational and social events.
TCAR is an important group that allows colleges in the Twin
Cities area to share ideas and events with one another.
Additionally, the Asian-American Student Union has established
relationships with Asian American organizations in the community.
This includes, but is not limited to: the Asian American Press,
Asian Pages, Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, the Multicultural
Center For Academic Excellence (MCAE), the University of Minnesota’s
Asian-American Studies Department, National Association of Asian
Professionals (NAAP), Target Corporation, and the Campus Special
Company.
Need for Organization
The University of Minnesota strives to create a vibrant community
and derives its strength from its diversity. A diverse community
is one that is inclusive, welcoming, and respectful in which
each student values differences such as race, ethnicity, gender,
sexual orientation, and religion. The University needs the Asian-American
Student Union to support its vision of diversity through ASU’s
commitment to building and promoting programs, services, and
resources that serve to create and sustain a diverse community
relating to Asian American issues.
ASU acts as the focal point where ideas, concerns, and experiences
are exchanged between the affiliated student groups. The need
for ASU is demonstrated through the Union’s participation
in many University leadership meetings. ASU assumes a representative
role and a voice for all Asian American students in the University
community. For example, the Asian-American Student Union participates
in the Cultural Center Committee monthly meetings with Laura
Nyre, advisor, MCAE and Office of Multicultural Academic Affairs
Student Advisory Committee. In addition, the Asian-American
Student Union has representation on the Minnesota Student Association
forum, the undergraduate student government and board members
involved with the Graduate and Professional Student Association.
In the past MSA presidential candidates have sought support
from ASU during the all-campus elections and recognize ASU’s
influence at the University.
How the organization meets student needs
The Asian-American Student Union enjoys a long history, since
1975, of providing and/or supporting academic and social-cultural
programs at the University of Minnesota. ASU meets the needs
of students at the University by offering them leadership experiences,
resources, networking opportunities, and a rich academic experience
through educational, cultural, social, and community programs.
ASU offers students who are seeking to get involved at the University
an opportunity to build leadership skills through the eleven
positions on the ASU board. The board consists of the President,
Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Chair, Education
Chair, Public Relations Chair, Outreach Chair, Twin Cities Asian-American
Representative, Minnesota Student Association Representative,
Webmaster, Historian, and our most recent addition, the Business
Relations Chair.
ASU is committed to providing resources to students. ASU is
located in room 219 Coffman Memorial Union which serves as a
location for student organizations and individuals to meet on
a formal and informal basis. This facility is widely used by
all ethnic groups and is a major force in promoting integration
and positive cross-cultural relationships. Computers with internet
access, books on Asian American culture, audio/visual equipments,
printing services and a study area with tables and chairs are
available to all students at the University of Minnesota who
pay their student services fees.
ASU’s involvement with other colleges in the Twin Cities
area through its participation and sponsorship of the Twin Cities
Asian Representative (TCAR) group is a valuable tool for students
who are looking to establish early networks during their studies.
For example, ASU’s affiliation with different Asian American
organizations such as the Asian American Press, Asian Pages,
Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, the MCAE, and NAAP
may help students establish connections in these areas.
Finally, ASU’s goal of creating and maintaining an environment
that promotes cross-cultural understanding and appreciation
for the entire University community fulfills the students’
academic experience. Programs like the annual Spring Conference
encourage understanding, tolerance, and respect for diversity
among individuals which are essential skills in a world of cultures.
Furthermore, ASU provides support, advocacy, and information
not just to Asian American students enrolled at the University
of Minnesota, but to Asian Americans in the surrounding community.
Student Benefits
One of the Asian-American Student Union’s primary goals
is to promote awareness of the Asian American culture throughout
the University. By developing educational, cultural, social,
and community service activities, ASU provides the opportunity
for students to have an insightful view into the Asian American
culture, which adds to the students’ overall educational
experiences at the University. The events that are held and
sponsored by ASU are free to all students, staff, and administration
at the University of Minnesota.
In the fall, ASU sponsors numerous events from our affiliate
groups. For example, the Indian Student Association’s
annual Diwali Show that attracts between 700 to 1000 students.
Also, During the winter, affiliate groups such as Korean Student
Association, Chinese American Student Association, Vietnamese
Student Association, and Laos Student Association celebrate
their new years that expose over 1000 students to their culture
and their traditional activities and foods.
ASU’s biggest event, the annual Spring Conference, brings
together a variety of speakers, dancers, poets, musicians, and
professors that address the issues Asian Americans face. For
example, at last year’s Spring Conference, students participated
in a heated debate on China’s One Child policy, and the
economic, political and social impacts. They attended workshops
such as “Asian Professionals Workshop” hosted by
numerous academic and business organizations and “Asians
in the Media” hosted by Dat Phan, winner of “The
Last Comic Standing”. Lastly, an interactive workshop
hosted by head chef, Lam Nguyen of Ichiban, restaurant located
downtown Minneapolis, where students participated in a crash
course of Sushi 101. Also, students and staff along with the
surrounding community enjoyed a cultural show with guest speaker
Richard Lee.
Awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diverse backgrounds
are important in the development of all individuals. The students’
educational experiences at the University of Minnesota are enhanced
by the programs that ASU sponsors because they fulfill the students’
level of multicultural competency. The students will find that
they are better prepared when they move from the world inside
the University to the real multicultural world. They are able
to interact with people of all backgrounds because of their
prior exposures to the different cultures from attending the
programs that ASU sponsors.
A new benefit established the 2006 year is a student discount
card to local Asian establishments both on the University Minnesota
campus area and twin-cities. These include grocery stores, restaurants,
and beauty salons services. Students obtain this discount if
they are a member of the Asian-American Student Union.
Student Involvement within the Organization
The ASU board consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Activities Chair, Education Chair, Public Relations
Chair, Outreach Chair, Twin Cities Asian-American Representative,
Minnesota Student Association Representative, Webmaster, Historian,
and Business Relations Chair. Students seeking to get involved
may choose to run for one of these positions during the spring
elections. In addition, there will be opportunities for members
to shadow current officers through the internship program, where
members will be exposed to the framework and duties that ASU
board members display.
This year, the ASU board consists of 17 members with an additional
thirteen representatives from the affiliates. Together, they
constitute the General Assembly and meet bi-weekly each month;
the ASU board meets weekly. ASU also have general members that
total to more than 300. These general members participate in
planning and promoting ASU events by joining committees.
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