Welcome!
our
purpose
The Asian American Association is the MU student organization representing and addressing the needs, concerns, and issues of Asian American students. AAA's purpose is two-fold:
Providing cultural support for Asian American students in a primarily European- American environment
Increasing campus awareness and understanding pertaining to Asian American issues
Whether you're from a large or small Asian American population, AAA offers a community where Asian Americans can meet others like themselves at MU. In addition, AAA has been working hard to create an environment that addresses the needs of Asian American students.
On a campus where Asian Americans are often excluded and overlooked in terms of minority issues, AAA has been pushing the university for increased Asian American recruitment and retention, scholarships for Asian Americans, an Asian American Studies course, and an Asian American resource center. AAA is also successful in bringing prominent Asian American speakers, entertainers and films to the campus to increase cultural awareness and educate others about the Asian American experience.
common
questions
Here are common questions and answers about the Asian American Association. Do you know of another question that should be added? Send us a message here.
What does AAA do?
AAA brings dynamic and diverse programs to campus for the purpose of increasing awareness of Asian American issues. Past programs included topics like the portrayal of Asian Americans in the media, sexualized stereotypes of Asian Americans, Japanese-American concentration camps during World War II, and the push for Asian American Studies at universities across the nation. Last year, we invited a Hmong rapper and storyteller who spread his message of cultural diversity at several Columbia public schools as well as on campus. AAA also put together a Filipino Culture Night where members shared their Filipino culture through food, games, and cultural displays. Every April, AAA organizes an Asian American Awareness Week, packed with programming and topping the year off with a formal celebration banquet.
AAA also demonstrates a commitment to the interests of its members. The Big Sib/Little Sib program is a mentoring program which pairs AAA members with students who are new to MU. AAA also sends its members to national Asian American conferences to bring new ideas back to the organization and to network with other Asian American leaders. In 2004, AAA sponsored members to attend the Midwest Asian American Students Union Leadership Retreat (MAASU-LR) at Washington University in St. Louis and the MAASU Spring Conference at Northwestern University in Chicago.
But it's not all work and no play for AAA—members are also engaged in a variety of social activities. Last year, AAA formed its own intramural volleyball team and spiked its way to the finals. We also get together for barbecues, movies, pizza and bowling, all-you-can-eat buffets, and even a wrap-your-own potsticker dumpling fest.
AAA will continue to do all this and more. Join and share your ideas!
What is the history of AAA?
The early 1990s was a breakthrough for Asians at MU: Asian student enrollment began to climb and Asians as a whole became a more common sight in the classrooms and around campus. But there was a drawback—there was not a single campus organization in which Asians were represented.
In 1992, two students responded to the need to have such a group and formed an organization that catered to all MU students of Asian descent. However, the tremendous diversity among the targeted members made the initial mission of uniting all Asians impossible. Over the years, the group began to focus mainly on Asian Americans.
Today, that group, the Asian American Association, continues to address the interests of Asian students who are also Americans.
Who is eligible to join AAA?
Asian heritage certainly is not a prerequisite for membership. Anyone interested in Asian American issues is welcome to join. You may be a fourth-generation Japanese-American who only speaks English or a Caucasian who once studied abroad in China. You may be a bilingual Korean or Vietnamese-American, or a blue-eyed Eurasian. You may be a Cambodian whose family moved to America when you were in middle school.
AAA members are diverse in ethnicity and personality. They bring a wide range of interest, talents, and concerns to the group. You can be one of them.
How do I join AAA?
It’s easy! Just give an officer your name, address, and phone number and we’ll contact you about our upcoming events. Depending on the time you wish to commit, you may get involved on a variety of levels. You can join one of our committees—Programming, Social, Publicity, Service—and work on events and projects throughout the year. Join the Asian American Studies Task Force, if working towards establishing an Asian American Studies class at MU interests you. You may apply for a Committee Chair and work closely with our executive officers. Or you can just support AAA by attending all of our events!
Learn more about the benefits of becoming a member of AAA here.
membership
info