Imagine walking down the street and suddenly being faced with a huge pack of Asian Americans students. If you can imagine this scene, you might have some idea what some 36,000 IU students saw when MASSU took place here in Bloomington in the Spring of 1996.

What is MASSU? It stands for Midwest Asian American Students Union and it hosts a spring conference every year at a chosen college. The conference is designed so that Asian American students can learn more about their heritage, but also have the time of their lives hanging out with friends and going to such events as concerts and ice cream social.

With great speakers and famous acts, IU really provided for the sixth annual MASSU conference. Such people as Frank Chin, a highly controversial Asian American writer, Nobuko Miyamoto, who performs her famous show “Grains of Sand,” which was a multimedia feast for the eyes and ears, and even Star Trek: Voyager’s own Garrett Wang made an appearance. All these speakers and performers held workshops in which students could go to learn more on Asian American topics and culture such as the asian generation gap, asian sexuality, and they even snuck in a workshop on politics.

Wait, MASSU was not without the good times either. There were many fun events to attend such as the ice cream social and the Asian American Bandstand (a concert). But the largest social event by far was the last formal dance, in which students dressed up in their best, ate elegant cuisine, and danced through the night.

MASSU was also not without it’s purposes and truths. Many events were held in order to honor those Asian Americans who had struggled to gain the first Asian American rights and also to honor those who passed on before their time. A candle Light Vigil was held at Showalter fountain to read such exciting and sorrowing points in Asian American heritage. And of course the Solidarity March. This march united all of the Asian American students in an effort to bring attention to our needs and our causes. A huge pack of students marched throughout campus and chanted “Asian united! We’ll never be defeated!!!” There was a power emmited from each and every member as he or she screamed for their needs and concerns.

MASSU 1996 was a big success and it showed in the faces of all participants. Many groups and individuals contributed to the success of this great conference and on behalf of everyone we thank you for the memories.

There are many misconceptions about AAA. Some think AAA is an organization that excludes anyone that isn’t Asian American. Many find AAA intimidating and do not show up to any of the functions AAA holds. The one misconception I find most bothersome is that AAA officers do not talk to anyone outside their clique. I do not know where these assumptions of AAA started but I can see why they are.

AAA has become more powerful and political within the last four to five years and has lost the intimacy that it once had, but that does not mean it has become less friendly. Most people find the officers more intimidating than anything else, but give it a try. Go up to any AAA officer and they will be more than welcome to talk to you about Asian American issues or just anything else for that matter.

As an executive officer, I do not want people to feel scared to talk to me. AAA officers don’t always talk about AAA stuff. Sometimes, I like to talk to people about nothing, we’re not monsters who think they’re on pedestals above everyone else. They are students who are like everyone else, they have interest like everyone else and, above all, they are not perfect. If you see me sitting around, stop by and we will talk.

Greetings and welcome to the bigger and better Asian American Association at Indiana University. For returning students, we promise a dynamic and fun filled year with exciting events, educational programs, detailed discussions on the existential philosophy of neo-classic colonialism (maybe not that one) and hip-hop parties where the house will be jumping and the dj will be cutting def jams.

As for all freshmen, in order to join our organization you must first undergo an initiation process where you will be paddled and asked to do strange things with farm animals. I’m just joking, about the paddling part. Anyway, I know that IU can be a pretty intimidating place, so we will do all that we can to orient you to the fabulous word of college life.

The reason why I’m saying AAA is bigger and better is because it’s bigger and better.Duh! For example, we are one of the fastest growing organizations on campus, and now with the establishment of our new and improved web page and the opening of our office, our services are more accessible to you, the members.

You will have online access to an updated calendar of events, test files, internships, jobs, networking opportunities, and a bunch of new friends. And that’s not all, tell them what they get Joon…”A brand new membership card,” which can be used to check out books and movies from the AAA office. With this card you will feel better about yourself.

Well I’m not sure if I’ve sold you yet, but I promise a fantastic year where you’ll meet a bunch of people and have a great time. So don’t be bashful to ask questions or visit us in the office. Otherwise we get really bored.

A coalition of IU minority students voiced requests for expanded academic and advocacy during the IU Board of Trustees’ Campus Community Committee meeting Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union’s Georgian Room.

Representatives from griot, Latinos Unidos IU, the IU Black Student Union and the IU Asian American Association addressed a number of issues facing minority students at IU, and they focused on the shortcomings of the Chicano-Riqueno Studies program, as well as the need for an Asian-American advocacy dean.

Members of the coalition announced their intention to circulate a petition requesting the creation of a Latinos Studies program. The University offers courses in Spanish and Latin American Studies under the Chicano Requeno Studies program, but LUIU member Cristina Rocha said the program doesn’t meet with the needs of Latinos or the student body as a whole.

“If I wanted to get a minor in the Chicano-Riqueno studies program, it would take me an awfully long time to complete it because, of the courses that are offered each semester, there aren’t that many,” Rocha said, “None of (the Spanish or Latin American studies courses) has to do with social or economic problems that face Latinos in the United States today.”

Griot co-editor junior Ryan Vertner said Afro-American Studies courses have allowed him to understand what it means to be African-American as well as American, and Latino students deserve the same opportunity for self examination.

“(The Trustees’) names should be the first names on the petition to show that you want to give a growing minority the opportunity to forge a consciousness out of a university education, which is essentially what a university education is all about,” Vertner said.

The Trustees also heard concerns from the Asian -American community. Junior Joon Park, president of Asian American Association, discussed his proposal for an Asian-American advocacy dean as part of the Strategic Direction Charter. He said the advocacy office would help combat stereotypes of Asian Americans.

“IU has never supported the Asian American community. The only reason the Asian-American community is still active on campus is solely because of student activists.” Park said. “This proposal will give us, for the first time, the opportunity to create our own identity, instead of having an identity created for use by others.”

The coalition’s appearance was part of what was originally scheduled as a “town meeting” by Trustee officials, and was to be held in the IMU East Lounge. Trustee and IU law student Frank Otte chaired the committee, and he apologized for the limited time the group received because of discussions of problems with Halls of Residence.

“I appreciate your support and activism that we’ve seen here today,” Otte said. “I would encourage each and every one of you, since we seem to have a plate full all the sudden, to pursue them and remind the Board of Trustees as well as administrators of your efforts.