Past Projects

Within one spring semester in 2014, a group of students who named themselves Asian American Student Union (AASU) made tremendous progress in advocating for an Asian American Studies (AAS) program at William and Mary. Our ultimate goal was to achieve recognition from the administration and allow AAS to become another major or minor that can be part of the academic curriculum. We gathered faculty and administrative support, online resources, and student involvement to further AASU’s ultimate goal of educating eager minds about Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues. 

After renaming AASU to AASI (what we are now known today), one of the earliest discussions of Asian mental health took place in 2015. The conversation was a significant first step to growing awareness that Asian American students, despite being labeled as the model minority, also struggle with mental health. We mainly wanted to focus on becoming a safe space for Asian American students and allow vulnerability in a closed setting. Unfortunately, Stigma remains present, and AASI wants to go in-depth about exploring this subject and issue.

AASI emphasized the idea of the Asian American identity and released a zine, “Rise,” to encapsulate a handful of Asian American students’ experiences in one space. The magazine consists of many written pieces and artworks relating to the shame, frustration, and jealousy APIA felt from childhood. In addition, several general body meetings consisted of educating club members on the importance of islamophobia and voter engagement because any student who is interested in APIA issues can educate themselves on sensitive topics and take action in William and Mary’s campus community. 

AASI focused on the relationship between college education and the real world through an APIA career panel. The executive board invited several Asian organizations to educate and empower students to take more APIA-related courses and consider how effective their knowledge may be in the real world in whichever field of work they may pursue. Through the club’s general meetings, the executive board also discussed the importance of data disaggregation and current events every week. This was one of the earlier years that introduced the idea of data disaggregation on AASI’s agendas as well.

AASI has focused on collaborations with multicultural organizations, including the Middle East Student Association (MESA) and the South Asian Student Association (SASA). The executive members often bring topics such as affirmative action and model minority myths to the conversation while attempting to create a safe space for all Asian American-identified students, including South and Southeast Asian-identified students. Although there is not a set project the board has worked on, there were many conversations between MESA, SASA, Undocutribe, and the rainbow coalition. Members could also attend ECCASU and the UPenn Summit on the state of Asian American Studies.

Many social issues were highlighted, including tuition fees for DACA and undocumented students, CAA protests in India, and the rising Asian hate crimes from the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, AASI wanted to push for more South and South East Asian classes in the APIA curriculum at William and Mary. In addition, the club invited Fariha Roisin to talk to students regarding her book How to Cure a Ghost and her experiences as a South Asian queer writer. During their general body meetings, AASI covered several activism topics this school year, including Uygher people in China and settler colonialism.

The executive members of AASI have achieved many objectives and projects this year despite the hardships of virtual college and a worldwide pandemic. She’s the First (STF) is an organization that AASI joined forces with to inform students from William and Mary about the lack of education women face from cultural, financial, and infrastructural barriers in India and Nepal. The presentation and discussion allowed students to compare their experiences with the school system and society in the United States to the ones in South Asian countries. AASI held meetings with the Black Student Organization (BSO) and LASU to educate both clubs on becoming better allies and uniting rather than separate communities in social justice issues. Executive members released statements on the Asian hate crimes in the U.S., the Ugygher situation in China, and diversity and inclusion statements on behalf of AASI. We also worked to raise money for Stop Asian Hate, fundraising close to $3000 and held a vigil for the victims of the Atlanta shooting. A petition to begin racial data disaggregation has also been sent to the College’s administration due to the outdated idea that Asians are one grand monolithic racial group (which you can read under 'Statements'). 

The advocacy for data disaggregation continues into this school year. AASI has also invited Çudamani, a Balinese ensemble group, to William and Mary. The event was an educational yet fun experience for students to learn more about Indonesian culture and spark conversations regarding APIA communities during the COVID-19 school year. Lastly, the Asian Centennial celebrated the first Asian American student enrolled at William & Mary a hundred years ago in 1923. Celebrations included the Asian Centennial Ball and hosting Asian American figures such as comedian Jenny Yang. 

With Virginia history SOL content updates under the Virginia Department of Education not having inclusive history, AASI joined forces with the Hamkae Center, an Asian American advocacy organization based in Northern Virginia, to demand better. AASI also hosted Filipino dance workshops led by professional traditional dancers (shout out to Jacob, Kimberly, Jonathon, and Jan). The executive board for AASI also surveyed the Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Studies program's impact on students, faculty, and alumni to engage in conversations with William & Mary's administration on more funding for the program after limited funds were provided for the year.