Students discuss UnificAsian plans
The groups discussed catering to Asian-American students.
Published Nov. 3, 2006
Concerns about only focusing on Asian Americans during the UnificAsian Orientation Program and deciding on a magazine design and budget for the program were discussed during a meeting on Wednesday.
UnificAsian is an orientation held during Fall Welcome that highlights outlets and activities available for Asian-American and Asian international students who are new to campus.
Representatives from organizations including the Asian American Association, South Asian Student Association, Filipino American Student Association and Asian American Student Journalists met in Brady Commons' Office of Multicultural Affairs to discuss a magazine design and budget for the UnificAsian Orientation Program.
Headed by AAA President Annie Guo and Vice President of Asian American Student Journalists Association Angela Yang, the meeting addressed concerns about turning the focus to only Asian Americans as opposed to both Asian-American and Asian international students.
"When we focused on both the Asian-American and international students, our purpose and program was too broad because we were trying to accommodate for both groups," Guo said. "However, these groups have very different, almost opposite, needs. Asian-American students are looking to recognize their cultural identity on a predominantly non-Asian campus, while Asian international students hope to learn about and immerse themselves in the American culture."
Guo said most of this year's UnificAsian orientation participants were Asian-American undergraduate students.
"We feel since most Asian international students are here for the graduate program, they do not have as much of an interest in such a student orientation," she said.
Students also discussed photography, theme and context for the UnificAsian magazine. To give attention to the Asian-based clubs and organizations, students discussed including articles providing a personal take on the Asian-American experience.
Sophomore Roxy Lacerna, Filipino American Student Association treasurer, said a good theme would be to focus on different perspectives of different Asian cultures. Lacerna also works for The Maneater.
"'Asian' is a term that encompasses many different ethnicities," Lacerna said. "Even then, 'Asian' is different from 'Asian American,' which also encompasses the different ethnicities."
About 500 copies, 300 less than last year, will be printed to avoid the surplus of magazines from this year's event.
To help the magazine speak to an entering freshman or transfer students, the committee demanded perspective and a mission statement.
Ad space will be made available to businesses, organizations and restaurants in the magazine.
In search of advertisers, Yang mentioned one in particular. Yang met and spoke with Lindsey Moe-Kaiser at a conference held by the Chinese American Association.
"I was hoping that Ms. Kaiser would be able to relay the information about UnificAsian to State Farm and see if they would be interested in sponsoring our event with donations or buying of advertisement space," Yang said.