FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

AAAGS sounds like a lot of fun, but how can I join?

Lucky for you, we're a pretty casual group! Join us for any of the events in our calendar and make sure to get your email to the leadership team by the end of the event. If you missed us, or want to be kept in the loop, hit the sign up page, here. We have a Facebook group available here:

Who can join, attend our events, or be a member?

Are you a graduate student? Join us! If you self-identify as Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Desi American, please join us. International student? We are open to you as well! We're a very open and welcoming group so we won't turn away potential new friends. Membership is free.

We acknowledge Regent Policy 30-06, below.

Student organizations that select their members or officers on the basis of commitment to a set of beliefs (e.g., religious or political beliefs) may limit membership, officer positions, or participation in the organization to students who affirm that they support the organization’s goals and agree with its beliefs, so long as no student is excluded from membership, officer positions, or participation on the basis of his or her race, color, creed other than commitment to the beliefs of the organization, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, or, unless exempt under Title IX, sex .

What are the benefits of joining?

Since our main mission is to build cross-campus community focused on Asian American identity for graduate students, we plan to provide space for people to network with one another. If you're looking to make friends outside your department, lab, building, office, cage at Memorial Library, etc., you should feel free to join in!

What kind of events are planned?

After several years hiatus, we've been concentrating on re-building our community and network around the UW Madison campus and with other graduate student organizations.

We plan to organize monthly social dinners at restaurants across town. There will be carpools available if we leave the campus & downtown areas! We have an event every April with the campus celebration of APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) Heritage Month.

Other ideas the leadership team has discussed include:

  • Holiday potlucks... or anything involving food!
  • Professional development activities, such as mentorship and how to survive as APIDA professionals and faculty
  • Networking with Faculty/Staff or Undergraduate Students
  • Movie or karaoke nights, ice skating, white elephant gift exchanges
  • Working with other identity groups on campus towards common goals
    • if you represent another identity group and would like to work with us, please contact the leadership team by email!
  • Grad school survival, wellness, and self-care events
  • Social justice missions and supporting the off-campus APIDA community

But feel free to contribute your ideas by emailing uw.aaags@gmail.com! The suggestion box is always open.

But... I don't know where to find restaurants that serve MY food or shops to buy MY groceries?!?!

One resource is the Graduate School's guide, here. We've also built a small database of APIDA-focused restaurants & grocery stores online that includes our members' mini-reviews. Think of it as our version of Yelp. Feel free to add more local shops & restaurants as you explore the Madison area here.

Where can AAAGS be found?

Right now, we don't have a physical location on campus... but stay tuned for more updates on this! Email works best for now.