In an effort to highlight issues facing the University’s Asian and Asian Pacific American community, last night the Asian Student Union celebrated its 10th anniversary and the kick-off of A/PAutumn, a week-long series of events aimed at raising interest and awareness about the Asian and Asian Pacific American community.
The organization welcomed Ajay Nair and Daisy Rodriguez Pitel, former University assistant deans of students for Asian and Asian Pacific American students, to speak about the challenges and opportunities they faced when serving in the University community.
“My time at U.Va. was marked by some amazing student leaders and activists,” Nair said, noting that in his time, he saw significant growth in terms of interest in Asian and Asian Pacific American affairs.
Nair added that he taught the first course in Asian American Studies at the University, saying the class registered 120 students in addition to a waitlist. Rodriguez said when she took over Nair’s position in 2003, she also taught this class. She said her class held 70 students and also had a waitlist, clearly indicating a desire for similar courses.
“Thanks to your activism, [the University] now offers a minor in Asian American Studies,” Nair said of students’ dedication and interest in the course.
ASU President Maynard Malixi said he currently considers ASU as a group of activists in a struggle, seeking to obtain an Asian American Studies major and “going against the status quo” to do so. Even today, students face challenges, Malixi said, but because of ASU’s creation and continued investment in Asian and Asian Pacific American affairs, at least some of those challenges have been broken down.
“Through activism ... we will transform and serve our community,” Nair said. “Progress will be slow, but as this event shows, slow progress is better than no progress.”
Rodriguez said she agreed that students have not finished their struggle for education in Asian American studies.
“If you want to show the community that this is valuable, it is really important that you take the classes,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also noted the ambition of the ASU and other Asian American student groups. She said in her first year she was asked to speak at events, organize the East Coast Asian American Student Union Conference and teach a class in Asian American studies.
“We do have students here who are idealists, activists and, sometimes, not very patient,” Rodriguez said, adding that since the students had been without a dean to represent them for a year between her arrival and Nair’s time at the University, she felt she could not say no to their requests.
She said that during her years at the University, she was particularly motivated to raise consciousness about Asian and Asian Pacific American affairs at the University. She organized a census and survey of the Asian American students at the University and encouraged students to get involved with the broader University community by becoming orientation leaders and members of Student Council to raise the community’s visibility and profile on Grounds.
Additionally, she said it is important for the community to remain active throughout the year, to continue trying to make itself more visible at the University.
Malixi concurred and noted that this week’s third annual A/PAutumn is designed to keep the organization active throughout the fall, not just during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated at the University in April.
A/PAutumn “keeps the University community aware of the AAPA community,” he said, stressing the AAPA’s commitment to “reach out cross-culturally, share their own culture and create a sense of community for their own members.”
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | YesterdayThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
