Past Events
For a quickie 5 minute idea of what the Asian American community did, watch the video!
Otherwise, here's a good long list of everything we did for the 2007-08 school year:
Student Activities Day
Friday September 14, 2007 in the Dustbowl from 10-4pm
Activities Day was the day where Asian Caucus presented itself to the general public in order to advertise its own agenda. Asian Caucus’s goal was to recruit as many returning members as well as freshmen with flash signs, logos, sales pitch, and free gifts (such as candy, refreshments, ect.). At Students Activities Day, Asian Caucus advertised two major events: our 1st general meeting and Freshman Academy.
1st General Meeting/Kick off
September 27, 2007 at Eagles Nest from 6-8pm
The purpose of the first general meeting was for Asian Caucus to introduce itself to the general public and it was the first time freshmen got a taste of Asian Caucus. The 2 hour agenda consisted of ice breakers, a name game, skits performed by the executive board, a dance line competition for fun, and free Vietnamese subs. Easily, the crowd was estimated to be about 100 people.
Freshmen Representative Interview Round 1
October 3, 4, and 5, 2007 in the Asian Caucus office at 8pm
Asian Caucus was searching for strong freshmen who could best contribute to the executive board by acting as a freshmen representative. Freshmen representatives went through a grueling Q&A interview in order to get a sense of how qualified the freshman was.
Freshmen Representative Interview Round 2
October 9, 2007 in the Asian Caucus office at 8pm
Out of about 10-15 applicants, the top 6 were selected to come for round two interviews. This interview was even more intense in the sense that the questions were harder and there was more pressure placed on the freshmen. Out of the 6, the top 3 were chosen to become Asian Caucus’s Freshmen Representatives.
Cluster Bomb Survivor Panel
Thursday October 18, 2007 in Devlin 088 from 7:30pm
This event was co-sponsored with SEASA, Asian Studies Program, Asian American Studies Program, Office of Institutional Diversity, Lynch School of Education, Center for Human Rights and International Justice, Amnesty International and the Office of the VP of Student Affairs. Four panelists gave personal testimony of how cluster bombs from the war have affected their lives and those around them. By the end of the night, there were plenty of people in the audience with tears. Fliers as well as petitions were handed out to the audience.
Service Immersion Information Session
Wednesday, October 24, 2007 in Devlin 216 from 7-8pm
The Service Immersion chair is a completely new position so this was its very first immersion information session. Three of the biggest projects suggested was a Chinatown tour (Nov 17), Campaigning for Sam Yoon’s reelection for Boston City Council (Dec 1), and for the Saturday Sunshine trip to Dorchester to help out a program aimed at keeping high school students “off the streets” and giving them alternative by learning a fun new talent (April. 11).
APACLAR (Asian Pacific/Islander American Cultural Leadership Aptitude Retreat)
November 10, 2007 located off campus at Match High School from 8-6:30pm
This is a yearly leadership retreat designed exclusively for the executive boards of the 7 Asian cultural clubs on campus to attend as well as special guests such as APAHM leaders. APACLAR functioned as a way for leaders to mingle and meet other leaders of clubs. This allowed clubs to bridge the gap between the Asian Community. Furthermore, APACLAR served as a tool to help excite leaders and build a passion in them for the year. This year’s theme was “ALUP: Awareness, Leadership, Unity, Progression.” After all, every leader starts by first becoming aware of his/her history, and then uses that to empower him/her into being a strong leader. Then, they unify together for a cause and that’s how there’s progression. ALUP!
Freshman Academy First General Meeting
November 14, 2007 in McGuinn 3rd floor lounge at 6pm
This was the first Freshman Academy meeting of the year. Freshman Academy consists of the freshmen representatives from the 7 Asian clubs on campus, the 3 AC freshmen representatives, and those who applied solely to become a Freshman Academy member. In this meeting, there was a brief overview of how Freshman Academy is run, how to set up an event, and what events Freshman Academy planned to pursue that year. The agenda included ice breakers as well as breaking people into small group discussions that became “families.”
Forum on Sex Trafficking in South East Asia
November 14, 2007 in Merkert 127 from 7-8pm
This event was co-sponsored with GO, Intervarsity Multiethnic and Asian Christian Fellowships, United in Christ, South East Asian Student Association, Chinese Students’ Association, and Volunteer and Service Learning Center. It was about Love146 which is an organization that works toward the abolition of child sex trafficking and exploitation through aftercare, prevention, and advocacy. Forces that drive modern day slavery (economic, social, and cultural) were also discussed through a Christian viewpoint.
Service Immersion Chinatown Tour #1
Saturday November 17, 2007 in Chinatown from 10-1pm
Professor Liem of the Asian American Experience class gave students a tour of Chinatown. He highlighted the struggles of Chinatown and gave a different prospective to those who attended the tour. Afterwards, the tour ended with food—dim sum!!!
Late Night Registration Help #1
Thursday November 19, 2007 in McElroy at 8:30pm
Aimed towards freshmen, this was an informal event where upper classmen met at McElroy to help spread their knowledge of which classes freshmen should take. Upperclassmen helped the freshmen with the complicate registration process and guided them towards making the best choices.
Eddie Kim & Projekt Newspeak
Friday November 20, 2007 in Devlin 008 at 8pm
This event was co-sponsored with Korean Students Association. Projekt Newspeak’s main goal was to focus on the development of Asian art because of the lack of support for Asian artists, Asian art, and new art in general. There was sketch comedy to portray the Asian Stereotypes in the world.
Bone Marrow Drive
Sign ups were from November 14 & 15, 2007 in McElroy 11-3pm.
Bone Marrow Drive was on November 27, 2007 in Gasson 11-7pm.
This event was co-sponsored along with some pre-medicine students who wanted to have a Bone Marrow Drive on campus. Asian Caucus felt the necessity of hosting a bone marrow drive since less then 7% of the 6 million people in the National Registry are of Asian decent. This Bone Marrow drive was to spread awareness to the Asian community on the necessity of trying to make a difference to other people.
Smashing the Silence
November 26, 2007 in Vandy Cabaret Room at 7pm
Co-sponsored with Women of Color Caucus, “Smashing the silence” was a performance by Magdalen Hsu Li. Magdalen is an Asian-American music artist, painter, poet, and speaker. She is a talented singer and song-writer. Magdalen’s “Smashing the Ceiling” was an intersection of race, gender, and the arts. Dinner was provided.
From Mind to Mic
Thursday, November 29, 2007 in the Rat from 6:45-11pm
This annual free concert purpose was to draw attention to Asians in the media, specifically looking at singers. This year, five amazing artist came. This includes Passion, Jay Legaspi, Joy Tolentino, Matt Sia, and Niko Villamor. This concert attracted easily over 100 people and entertained them for hours.
Service Immersion Campaigning for Sam Yoon
December 1, 2007 all over Boston from 10-2pm
The purpose was to help spread the reelection of Sam Yoon as Boston City Council man. Because Sam Yoon is of Asian decent and is heavily invested in helping the Asian community, Asian Caucus felt the strong desire to try and help Sam Yoon retain his position of power on the city council. Actually, our campaigning was successful since Sam Yoon ended up wining the reelection.
Immigration Panel
December 6, 2007 at Higgins 310 at 7pm
This event was co-sponsored with OLAA, UGBC, College Republicans, FACES, OASP, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Sociology Department. The immigration panel consisted of Maria Elena Letona from Centro Presente, Marcia Hohn from the Immigrant Learning Center, and Jessica Vaughn from the Center for Immigration Studies, and Professor Kevin Kenney of the History department. This forum gave respective views to enlighten both sides of the issue.
Unity Dinner
December 7, 2007 at Vandy Cabaret Room from 6-8pm
This event was co-sponsored by UGBC, OLAA, KSA, Ukrainian Society, Arab Student Association, AMA, CVSA, French Club, German Academy, CSA, JCBC, Armenian Club, VSA, BCBC, HA, SASA, SEASA, BSF, and PSBC. The purpose of unity dinner was to spread awareness to the different culture groups on campus. This exposure allowed many people to get a sampling taste of different club’s food. Performances were also done as well.
Presentation to the Board of Trustees
December 7, 2007
Asian Caucus along with BSF and OLAA were invited to talk to the Board of Trustees about AHANA issues. The two co-presidents, Dan Shin and Monica Guen, presented to the Board of Trustees Student Life Committee various Asian issues on campus. Asian Caucus’s speech was broken down into two parts. The first half was a brief testimony of Asian Caucus’s history and mission statement. The second half dealt with struggles Asian Americans felt and the different conflicts they have to face while at Boston College.
Second Freshman Academy General Meeting
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 in Higgins 300 from 6-7:30pm
As the only juniors on the executive board, Min and Irene presented a personal testimony of what it meant to be Asian and how that affected their lives at Boston College. Afterwards, Freshman Academy members broke into groups based on how they felt being Asian-American. They also sampled video clips and listened to Yellow Rage.
Service Immersion Campaigning for Natalie Nguyen
Wednesday January 30, 2008 in Dorchester during the afternoon
Natalie Nguyen is an activist in the Asian community and Asian Caucus decided to help her accumulate votes to be in the Democratic primaries on February 5th. Nguyen has close ties with Sam Yoon and is equally active in helping the Asian community. Thus, Asian Caucus decided to support her by campaigning for her and help her get on the Democratic Ticket.
3rd Annual Bold Words Loud Tongues: “with oppression comes great expression”
Monday February 18, 2008 in the Rat from 6:30 to 10:00pm
This event was co-sponsored with SEASA, NAACP, PSBC, and OLAA. This event featured the musical insight from Blue Scholars, the fresh first performance from Conspiracy Theory, and stimulating displays from the Art Club. Following the event was Open Mic where people had the opportunity to express how they felt.
Third Freshman Academy General Meeting
Thursday February 21, 2008 in Gasson 305 at 6:30pm
During this Freshman Academy, the freshmen started a learning session about Asian issues. In this meeting, the topic was about a brief overview of Asian history. This included APIA issues, immigration, anti-Asian violence, model minority legislation, media propaganda, and small video clips.
Fourth Freshman Academy General Meeting
Wednesday March 12, 2008 in Higgins 310 at 6:30pm
This meeting served as a follow-up meeting. Instead of talking about broad Asian issues happening worldwide, this meeting focused on AHANA and Asian issues at Boston College in the past 30 years. There was also a guest speaker, UGBC president Chris, who answered Q&A’s about how his platform will help the Asian Community.
5th Annual Discovery Weekend
Thursday March 13 – Saturday 15, 2008 All over BC
The weekend served as a way for prospective students to get a glimpse of what college life is like from a student viewpoint. This weekend is crucial for helping students decide which college they want to attend, especially since about 90% of students who go to Discovery weekend ends up choosing Boston College as their top school to attend.
5th Annual Discovery Weekend: Asian Caucus Family Showcase
Thursday March 13, 2008. Gate 1st floor lounge 8-10pm.
The 7 Asian culture clubs introduced themselves as well as performed a segment of their annual culture show. Clubs that did not perform an act usually gave food in order to still have something presentable to show the prospective students about their culture. Students had the opportunity to meet representatives from each club and find out more about clubs of their interest
Pre-elections for the 2008-2009 school year
Wednesday March 26, 2008 6pm at Devlin 001.
The duties of the 9 executive positions on the Asian Caucus executive board were described. These positions included President, Vice President, AHANA Caucus Representative, Administrative Assistant/Secretary, Treasurer, Political and Educational Programming Director, Community Relations Chair, Freshmen Outreach Programming Director, and Service Immersion Chair.
Fifth Freshmen Academy Meeting
Thursday March 27, 2008 in Walsh 7th floor lounge from 5:30-7:00
Following the theme about Asians in the media, multiple clips of Asians-Americans and stereotypes were shown. This included the Rosie O’Donnell clip of “ching-chong” (2006), the problem of the 2008 movie called “21,” Asian males de-masculinization, and Asian-females portrayed as exotic. Afterwards, members broke up into small groups for discussion.
Elections for the 2008-2009 School Year
Sunday March 30, 2008 in Fulton 230 from 7:00-10:00pm
At this election, roughly 90 people came to voice their opinions and vote for the future leaders of Asian Caucus. Candidates gave a 3-5 minute speech to convince voters on why they should vote for them. Results were sent through e-mail the following day.
Yellow Rage
Saturday April 5, 2008 in Devlin 008 from 7-9pm
Attracting a diverse crowd of about 100 people, spoken word artists Michelle and Catzie presented a dynamic duo of Philly-based Asian American female spoken word poets. Their work challenged mainstream misconceptions of Asianness. Through their voices and spirits, Catzie and Michelle tried to provide an understanding of an awareness that is not often heard.
Service Immersion Opportunity to serve the Dorchester Youth Community (Prerequisite meeting)
Monday April 7, 2008 in Gate 2nd floor lounge from 8-9pm
In this meeting, students were taught how to make balloon animals and origami. It was essential to learn these skills since these talents were going to be shown and taught to the women and men at Dorchester Youth Community. Dorchester Youth Collaborative is a wonderful program that offers young women and men the opportunity to take part in educational and social workshops in the hope to promote healthy behavior and a resistance to negative peer pressure.
Good Asian Drivers
Tuesday April 8, 2008 in Higgins 263 from 7:30-9:30pm
This event was co-sponsored with VSA, GLC, KSA, and UGBC Unity. Good Asian Drivers consisted of Kit Yan and Melissa Li who are a queer duo that presented spoken word and musical pieces. Good Asian Drivers are committed to increasing exposure for queer Asian-American performers by provoking dialogue on gay rights, transgender issues, the marginalization of minorities, and feminism.
Service Immersion Opportunity to serve the Dorchester Youth Community
Friday April 11, 2008 in Dorchester from 3-6pm
Those who attended the Monday meeting were allowed to go to Dorchester to serve the community. This was a great opportunity since the Dorchester Youth Collaborative provided alternative social events that helped local high school students and middle school students off the streets and into positive environments.
Service Immersion Opportunity: Chinatown Tour #2
Saturday April 19, 2009 in Chinatown from 9:15-1pm
This tour tried to make BC students aware of their responsibility to the Greater Boston Community. The tour emphasized historical, political, social, and economic influences that have led to the environmental racism and gentrification of Boston’s Chinatown. After the tour, students met to eat dim sum together at China Pearl.
Advocacy for Asian and Asian American Studies Petition
Tuesday April 15, 2008 in O’Neill Plaza from 10-4pm
While tabling for APAHM, Asian Caucus decided to bring awareness to the Boston College public of the need for more Asian American classes. Currently, only 3 Asian American classes are being offered for the fall 2008 term. In response, Asian Caucus decided to help spread the urgency of obtaining more classes through petitioning and rallying the Asian community.
Freshman Academy Advising Session #2
Tuesday April 15, 2008 in McElroy from 6 to 7pm
This second advising session’s purpose is also to help freshmen gain an understanding of what classes they should try and take for the fall semester. Upperclassmen gave valuable insight on their experience and helped the freshmen navigate through the registration process.
2nd Annual Iron Chef Competition
Tuesday April 22, 2008 in McElroy from 5-8pm
This competition is between the 7 Asian Culture clubs. Under a limited set budget, the 7 clubs will try and make the most creative dish. They will make their dish reflect part of their culture as well as exhibit the secret ingredient. This event brings the Asian Community together for some social fun as well as spreading awareness to multiple cultures. A panel of judges will have the opportunity to sample the food and declare a winner. This year’s secret ingredient is…. Squid!
Sixth Freshman Academy Meeting
Tuesday April 22, 2008 in Walsh 8th floor lounge from 8-9pm
Serving as a wrap up meeting, this meeting will ask the Freshman Academy members to reflect on their time. They will give the executive board feedback on Freshman Academy and advice on how to make it better. Because Freshman Academy is still a new design (this is only its third year in the making), there is still plenty of room for improvement. Another big topic the freshmen will talk about is the LA Riots and how that pertains to them. This meeting will be in collaboration with ALA.
APACAR (Asian Pacific/Islander American Community Awareness Retreat)
Saturday April 26-27, 2008 in Whispering Pines, NH from 8am Saturday to 2pm Sunday
This retreat caters to both the new and old executive boards of the 7 Asian culture clubs. The purpose of this retreat is to help energize the new executive boards, inspire leaders, and help preserve the legacy between the transitions of old executive boards to new executive boards. This year’s theme is “A Past, A Collaborative, A Result,” which is abbreviated to “APACAR.”
Asian American Scholarship Banquet
Monday April 28, 2008 in Yawkey Center room 7-9pm
This banquet is designed to honor the finalists for the Asian American Scholarship as well as name the first place winner. The scholarship is solely for rising seniors who have made a contribution during their last 3 years to the Asian American community. This year, the amount of people who applied for the Asian American scholarship was a record breaking amount. This banquet also functions as the last Asian Caucus event of the year.
Total events = 40.
Co-sponsorships this past year (in no particular order):
- SEASA (4 times)
- UGBC (3 times)
- KSA (3 times)
- OLAA (3 times)
- CSA (2 times)
- VSA (2 times)
- Asian Studies Program (2 times)
- PSBC (2 times)
- Asian American Studies Program
- Office of Institutional Diversity
- Lynch School of Education
- Center for Human Rights and International Justice
- Amnesty International
- The Office of the VP of Student Affairs
- GO
- Intervarsity Multiethnic and Asian Christian Fellowships
- United in Christ
- Volunteer and Service Learning Center
- Women of Color Caucus
- College Republicans
- FACES
- OASP
- Latin American Studies
- Sociology Department
- Ukrainian Society
- Arab Student Association
- AMA
- CVSA
- French Club
- German Academy
- JCBC
- Armenian Club
- BCBC
- HA
- SASA
- BSF
- GLC
- NAACP
last updated August 30, 2008