A Case for the Creation of an Asian / Asian American Student Center

Sanjeev Kumar, Katie Zhang, Lauren Xue, Serena Wood

Introduction:

According to the University of Virginia Diversity Dashboard, in 2020 there were 2,718 Asian and Asian American students and 369 Asian and Asian American faculty members, yet there are still no institutional structures or spaces that support the Asian American community at the University.

Currently, the Asian American community does not have any representation in the following areas of University administration and leadership:

• The Office of the President
• The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
• The Office of the Dean of Students
• The Office of the Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• The Staff and Faculty Leadership of the McIntire School of Commerce
• The Office of the Dean of the Batten School of Public Policy
• The Leadership of the School of Nursing
• The Office of the Dean of the Law School

The following areas of University administration and leadership only have one Asian American faculty member:

• Leadership, Foundations, & Policy Faculty and Staff at the School of Education and Human Development

• Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas - Research Director of the Crafting Success for Underrepresented Scientists and Engineers Project

• School of Architecture Deans and Chairs

• Shiqiao Li - Director of the PhD in the Constructed Environment Program

The following areas of University administration and leadership only have two Asian American faculty members:

• The Academic and Administrative Leadership of the Darden School of Business

• Kush Arora
• Sankaran Venkataraman

The Asian Leaders Council released a report on academic reform, detailing the large disparities in representation for Asian American students. In 2018, 14% of students identified as APIDA, but only 8.46% of all faculty reflected this identity in the College of Arts & Sciences. Similarly, in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 18.72% of students identified as APIDA, but only 9.86% of faculty similarly identified. In the McIntire School of Commerce, 16.83% of the student body were APIDA to only 8.64% of the faculty.

Across 13 departments (American Studies, Art, Anthropology, History, Global Studies, Sociology, Drama, Politics, Religious Studies, Media Studies, Women, Gender, & Sexuality, and English) in the College of Arts & Sciences, only 39 faculty are of Asian background. Of these 39 faculty members, only a few teach courses about identity in general, racial or ethnic minority, and/or APIDA identity.

An Asian / Asian American Center at UVA would serve as a hub for Asian and Asian American students and faculty to study, to work, and to connect while contributing to the University’s academic mission of giving unwavering support to its collaborative and diverse community, specifically the Asian and Asian American community. Because of the lack of representation in University leadership, the Director of the Asian / Asian American Center would also act as a liaison between the Asian and Asian American community at UVA and the University administration.

Out of the 28 universities that offer an Asian American Studies program, UVA serves a larger Asian and Asian American population by percentage than 43% of these schools.

Additionally, out of the 9 universities that have an Asian / Asian American student center, UVA serves a larger Asian and Asian American population by number than 56% of these schools. With schools such as Virginia Tech serving an Asian American population of 10.3%, UNC Chapel Hill serving an Asian American population of 11.6%, and Cornell University serving an Asian American population of 15.5%, their Asian and Asian American student populations receive resources that UVA does not offer to its students, despite serving a larger student population.

With the Asian and Asian American population being the fastest growing ethnic population at the University of Virginia and throughout the state of Virginia, it is essential for the university to establish and Asian / Asian American Student Center to provide a space for these students and to offer resources that are specifically tailored to the needs of the Asian and Asian American student population.

Goals:

The Asian / Asian American Student Center at UVA would accomplish the following goals:

1. To provide a space for Asian and Asian American students and faculty to study, to work, and to relax
2. To contribute to the University’s academic mission of giving unwavering support to its collaborative and diverse community, specifically the Asian and Asian American community
3. To facilitate the multicultural education, programming, and advising to all Asian and Asian American students at the University by equipping them with resources to develop academically, socially, and emotionally
4. To increase a sense of community and belonging within the Asian and Asian American community at the University
5. To raise awareness about social justice issues impacting the Asian and Asian American community

Existing Asian / Asian American Centers in Universities:

The following universities are schools that UVA compares itself to in academic achievement and prestige and that offer a functioning Asian American Student Center for their student body.

1. Virginia Tech - Asian Cultural Engagement Center (ACEC)

The Asian Cultural Engagement Center at Virginia Tech was founded in 2018, and Dr. Nina Ha is the current director of the center. According to its website, the Asian Cultural Engagement Center is the most recent addition to the Cultural and Community Centers (CCC) at Virginia Tech through the efforts of the Asian American Student Union in conjunction with CCC faculty. While the development of the center is ongoing, it can currently accommodate a maximum of 30 people for coalition building, meetings, programs, and gatherings, while also serving as a study space. In addition, the ACEC features an HDTV for presentations and entertainment, a community microwave and hot water kettle for tea, and a library containing resources such as printed books and journals as well as media specific to Asian Pacific Islander Desi American history, literature, culture, and representation.

There is a list of all of the Asian and Asian American studies courses offered at Virginia Tech on its website as well as the contact information for the professors teaching those courses. The website also has information about the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Caucus at Virginia Tech, which serves as an advocacy and support group for faculty, staff, and graduate students at Virginia Tech and Blacksburg/NRV community members who self-identify as APIDA, or allies who are interested in participating in conversations relevant to the APIDA community. The Caucus also serves as a liaison to the university administration and is committed to supporting the needs of all APIDA individuals.

2. Stanford University- Asian American Activities Center

The Asian American Activities Center (A³C) at Stanford University was founded in 1972, and Cindy Ng has been on the staff of the Asian American Activities Center since 1991, in addition to serving as the Scott J.J. Hsu Director of the Asian American Activities Center. According to its website, the A³C builds a community of Asian and Asian American students, faculty, staff and alumni that fosters greater understanding and awareness of the Asian experience in America. It offers many resources for the community. The A³C is home to over thirty student organizations that hold weekly meetings and rehearsals in the center and also use the office as a workspace for planning events.

Students come to the A³C for information on campus resources and community service opportunities; for meetings; for cultural and educational programs and workshops; for research materials; for organizational and personal advising; for relaxing between classes; and to study. In the evenings, student organizations utilize the space for group meetings and events. Staff come to the A³C to attend events, meet as staff and connect with and mentor students. Faculty come to the A³C for resources, help with research projects and to speak at workshops and on panels. Alumni come to the A³C to meet students and to host meetings and events. Campus partners come to the A³C for advice, collaborations and to connect with students.

The Asian American Activities Center is a department under the Vice Provost of Student Affairs and serves as Stanford’s primary resource for Asian and Asian American student affairs and community development. The A³C contributes to the academic mission of the University through its partnerships and collaborative work with faculty, departments and academic programs. Through programming and advising, the center facilitates the multicultural education of all students and the development of leaders who are able to negotiate an increasingly diverse and complex workplace and global environment.

3. University of Southern California - Asian Pacific American Students Services

The Asian Pacific American Student Services Center was founded in 1982, and Jonathan Wang and Bao Nhua Moua act as the Center Director and Center Supervisor respectively of the center. According to its website, The Asian Pacific American Students Services (APASS) seeks to educate, engage, and empower the Asian Pacific American community and amplify the USC Trojan Family through active participation, dialogue, and community-building. The center provides programs, services, and resources for students who identify as Asian Pacific American and educational opportunities for the entire campus. The mission is to Educate, Engage, and Empower not only the APA Trojan community but also the larger university.

Additionally, APASS is currently working on several different active projects including the Defining and Enriching South Asian Issues (DESI) Project, Promoting Unity Leadership Education (PULE), and Project Remix. APASS has training initiatives and workshops for students and faculty as well to learn more about leadership and education.

The Asian Pacific American Student Services strives to provide students with access and knowledge to the various resources available on and around campus. Some of these resources include resources for first-generation college students, resources for undocumented immigrant students, and mental health services and support. APASS also offers a resource known as Student Basic Needs whose vision is to ensure student well-being through food, housing, and economic injustice. Through Student Basic Needs, staff, faculty, and students can learn about on-going research and programs that impact students across California and be up-to-date on new initiatives and events around campus addressing how USC is striving for a basic needs secure community.

4. Yale University - Asian American Cultural Center

The Asian American Cultural Center at Yale University was established in 1981, and Joliana Yee and Sheraz Iqbal acted as its Director and Assistant Director respectively. According to its website, the Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) at Yale exists as a result of Asian American student-led efforts to rally for a space on campus and thus remains today as a symbol of resistance, activism, visibility, and institutional recognition when Asian American invisibility was being fought.

The center is committed to honoring and increasing awareness around the vibrant and complex cultures, histories and experiences that exist within the Asian and Asian American community at Yale. The AACC sponsors approximately 50 affiliate groups for students—both undergraduate and graduate—plus dozens of campus-wide events throughout the academic year.

The Asian American Cultural Center plays a key role in ensuring the development and enhancement of Yale University’s commitment to the Asian and Asian American community. The AACC seeks to build a dynamic Asian and Asian American presence at Yale, support student exploration of identity development, and empower them to take an active role in shaping their learning experiences. The AACC is committed to engaging the Asian and Asian American student body, Yale University, and the greater New Haven community in the learning and celebration of cultures, traditions, and issues related to the varied experiences of the Asian diaspora. Its vision is to cultivate a community of Asian and Asian American citizen scholars who are rooted in our shared histories and actively striving towards an anti-racist, equitable and just future for all; to co-create equitable learning environments that honor the wholeness of our community’s identities and experiences.

The Asian / Asian American Center at UVA in Practice:

Currently, existing Asian and Asian American student programming and resources are not adequately funded and supported by the University to best serve the Asian and Asian American community. For example, the Asian Pacific American Leadership Training Institute (APALTI) is a leadership development program for 1st and 2nd year Asian and Asian American students. While the program serves 30-40 students each year, the entire program is student-led with nine student facilitators running the program. One of the facilitators, Pragya Chaturvedi, detailed how APALTI is a serious time commitment, requiring about 10 per week, and none of these students are paid for their time. Additionally, because there is no individual at the University who remains with the program longer than four years, there is no institutional permanence for the program who understands its history and what it needs.

The Asian / Asian American Center will allow there to be a paid position at the University who will be responsible for the upkeep of these programs in addition to ensuring that there is a history of the program and a sense of permanence.

Programs/Resources to be provided:

Listed below are programs and resources that would be provided and maintained by the Asian / Asian American Center:

Existing Resources:

1. Women’s Asian American Leadership Initiative (WAALI) - Currently ran under the Multicultural Student Services
2. Asian Pacific American Leadership Training Institute (APALTI) - Currently ran under the Multicultural Student Services
3. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) - Currently ran under the Multicultural Student Services and Asian Student Union
4. Peer Advising Family Network (PAFN) - Currently ran under the Multicultural Student Services

        New Resources:

1. Biannual Magazine for the Asian American community at UVA

Faculty/Staff Required for the Asian / Asian American Center:

Listed below are a list of faculty/staff required to run the Asian / Asian American Center:

1. Director of the Asian / Asian American Center (1)

1. Act as the direct liaison between the Asian American community at UVA and the University administration
2. Responsible for advocating on behalf of the Asian American community at UVA to ensure that all demands are met
3. Act as an associate professor, teaching a course in Asian American Studies

2. Assistant Director of the Asian / Asian American Center (1)

1. Responsible for ensuring that all resources at the Asian / Asian American Center is adequately funded and easily accessible
2. Communicate with the Asian / Asian American Center Coordinator, the Asian / Asian American Center Program Coordinator, and the Asian American Studies Liaison
3. Reports directly to the Director of the Asian / Asian American Center
4. Act as an associate professor, teaching a course in Asian American Studies

3. Asian / Asian American Center Coordinator (1)

1. Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Asian / Asian American Student Center
2. Works closely with the the Asian /Asian American Center Program Coordinator
3. Responsible for the Student Intern program at the Asian / Asian American Student Center along with the Asian /Asian American Center Program Coordinator
4. Ensures that the Asian / Asian American Center is fully stocked with relevant books, media, etc.
5. Reports directly to the Assistant Director of the Asian / Asian American Center

4. Asian / Asian American Center Program Coordinator (1)

1. Responsible for hosting events at the Asian / Asian American Center including inviting guest speakers and coordinating with student organizations on grounds
2. Responsible for the Student Intern program at the Asian / Asian American Student Center along with the Asian /Asian American Center Coordinator
3. Works closely with the the Asian /Asian American Center Coordinator
4. Responsible for the Student Intern program at the Asian / Asian American Student Center along with the Asian /Asian American Center Coordinator
5. Responsible for  maintaining a biannual, physical magazine for the Asian American community
6. Reports directly to the Assistant Director of the Asian / Asian American Center

5. ASAM University Liaison (1)

1. Act as the liaison between the Asian / Asian American Center and the following institutions at UVA:

1. The Asian American Studies program
2. The Asian and Asian Pacific American Alumni Network

2. Ensure that the Asian American Studies program is adequately staffed and has all the resources necessary to successfully function
3. Reports directly to the Assistant Director of the Asian / Asian American Center

6. Student Interns (3)

1. Assist the Asian / Asian American Center Coordinator with any responsibilities that need to get done on a day-to-day basis
2. Assist the Asian /Asian American Center Program Coordinator with maintaining an annual, physical magazine for the Asian American community
3. Reports directly to the Asian / Asian American Center Coordinator

Student Testimonials:

        Listed below are testimonials from students on why an Asian and Asian American Student Center:

1. Sanjeev Kumar (COMM ‘23, CLAS ‘23) - President of the Asian Student Union

1. It is incredibly disappointing and embarrassing for a university that holds itself as a leader in higher education but cannot meet the needs of its students, specifically the Asian American community. There is no representation of Asian Americans in the university’s leadership, stripping our community of a voice when it comes to our issues. Issues that our community faces such as increased violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic have been addressed by the university in performative statements with no action taken behind it. An Asian American Student Center can hold the university accountable when providing for the student body.

2. Tiffany Nguyen (COMM ‘22) - Co-Chair of the Peer Advising Family Network

1. I believe that UVA would benefit from having an Asian American student center on grounds. Even though there are many APIDA organizations on grounds, I feel somewhat disconnected to the APIDA community as an Asian American student. There aren't many spaces where students of these APIDA organizations can congregate and interact with each other and build community. With an Asian American student center, I think it would provide an opportunity for Asian American students to better foster community and strengthen ties with each other, whether at an individual or organizational level, in one common space.

3. Ilyas Saltani (CLAS ‘22) - Vice Chair for Community Development and Residential Inclusion of Housing and Residence Life

1. We have a tendency for turning communities of color into monoliths when in fact their experiences are rich and diverse. For this reason, there is a value in creating a space to celebrate each unique community because this not only enriches their student experiences, but it affords them a sense of belonging that is often lost when addressing marginalized groups more generally. UVA has a responsibility to recognize their APIDA students in this way and I think it would be a great opportunity for students to unite and share their cultures with each other and the greater UVA community.

4. Lauren Xue (CLAS ‘22) - Co-Chair of the Asian Leaders Council

1. Coming into a predominantly white university after being surrounded by a rich Chinese community at home was overwhelming and exhausting at times. Had there been an Asian / Asian American student center during my time at UVA, I know that I would have been comforted by and grateful for the lived experience and understanding that would have been embodied there. Even amongst the heterogeneity of the Asian student population, there is a unique shared community that is oftentimes where I feel myself returning to when I am feeling lost or hopeless or misunderstood. Asian students need and deserve a centralized space that offers them the experience and feelings of home and complete, unconditional acceptance that are often lost in the shuffle of a university such as the University of Virginia.

5. Serena Wood (CLAS ‘22) - Co-Chair of the Asian Leaders Council

1. The label “Asian American” is not able to do justice to the dozens of rich and diverse cultures from across Asia, yet one thing that many students of Asian descent have in common is that they experience forms of discrimination here in America. One of the most recent examples has been the mistreatment of people of East Asian descent due to misinformation and inflammatory statements made by public figures throughout the COVID pandemic. Situations like these have made Asian/Asian American students feel uneasy as they walk around Grounds and reading about the rise in hate crimes has taken a toll on their mental health. I have personally received threats as the Cochair of an Asian advocacy organization and at that time I would’ve appreciated having a safe space to share my experience and gain support from allies. This emphasizes the need for an Asian/Asian American student center at UVA so that students and faculty can begin healing, advocating for ourselves, and share our culture with others.

6. Katie Zhang (CLAS ‘22) - Vice President of the Asian Student Union

1. Although UVA has a robust Asian/Asian American student body, we do not have institutional support. As students, we face marginalization, tokenization, exclusion, discrimination and harassment.  The few resources meant to help us either inadequately address our intersectional identities or are merely insufficient in scope. Dismantling anti-Asian racism requires commitment. I sincerely hope the University listens to its students and upholds its promise to pursue equity.

7. Sophia Liao (COMM ‘23) - President of the Third Year Council

1. All communities need a home. I still remember how lost I felt in the wake of the Atlanta shootings last semester. I felt isolated and hopeless, with seemingly no one to turn to. It wasn’t until the Amphitheater vigil that I finally realized how powerful the Asian and Asian American community at UVA could be. There was a family here who had created a real, physical space where I belonged. That sense of security shouldn’t only be available to us after devastating events. We deserve a permanent place on Grounds where we can cultivate our community, find meaningful resources, and never feel alone. With an Asian American Student Center, we would have a home.

8. Tas Hossain (COMM ‘23) - Director of Internal Affairs for the Muslim Institute for Leadership & Empowerment

1. The Asian American community at the University of Virginia would greatly benefit from the creation of an Asian and Asian American Center. Although the Multicultural Student Center helps students of color, including Asian American students, find a safe space at the university, it is not enough. An Asian and Asian American Center would undoubtedly help create a sense of community, something that has often been hard to find at an institution such as UVA. This center would not only allow students to build community but it could also serve as a location for Asian American students to grow and learn alongside each other. The Asian and Asian American community is not a monolith and there are many issues that need to be addressed as a collective, but it cannot be done while we are still fighting for a space that we feel we can belong in.

Budget:

Expenses:

TOTAL 5 YEAR EXPENSES: $2,968,000

Next Steps:

We recognize that an endeavor of this size will take some time to ensure that the physical center is up to standard for what we are demanding. However, the students at UVA deserve representation in the Asian American community in the university’s administration and a space for Asian American students now. For this reason, we proposal the following next steps:

1. Approve the construction of an Asian American Student Center at the University and begin the process as soon as possible.

2. Temporarily use the space in the basement of Newcomb as a space for Asian and Asian American students until the new center is built and ready to use.

3. Hire the respective staff for the Asian American Student Center to begin their time at the university and have them transition to the physical center once it is constructed.

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Organizations that support this proposal:

1. Asian Student Union
2. Asian Leaders Council
3. The Minority Rights Coalition
4. Organization of Young Filipino Americans
5. Korean Student Association
6. Taiwanese Student Association
7. Indian Student Association at UVA
8. Student Council
9. Third Year Council
10. University Guides
11. Vietnamese Student Association
12. Pakistani Student Association at UVA
13. Women’s Asian American Leadership Initiative
14. alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Incorporated -Σ Chapter
15. Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Incorporated
16. The Inter-Sorority Council
17. Chinese Student Association