A Look into Ourstory (Updated as of 2018)
1970: Asian American Student Alliance (AASA) was founded by 2 Asian American female students (Phyllis Chiu and Marlene Tuyay Scott) from what was known as Third College.
1970s: primarily served the needs of the small Asian American population at UCSD, when Affirmative action efforts only targeted Pilipinos throughout the UC system. So, when the Student Affirmative Action Committee (SAAC) was established, AASA was named a founding or along with MEChA, BSU, & NASA, to serve the needs of underrepresented students and discuss pertinent issues.
1972: First publication called AASA Supplement states its goals as: “…to promote Asian-American identity, cultural awareness, and to re-instill a sense of community and recognition of common purpose and common circumstance.”
Goal:
To provide a forum for Asian-American self definition and expression on issues relevant to problems and needs of our community… to gain self-knowledge and Asian awareness by our collective efforts, with Asians, on all levels, to build our own true identity as Asian Americans.
“We resent the good ‘oriental’ … We promote the concept of pluralism … We are also diverse … We all must ‘get it together’ within our own groups…”
Major struggle through the years: to establish an Asian American Studies curriculum at UCSD. Eventually with the help of other politically active ethnic organizations (MEChA, BSU, and NASA) and faculty support, an Ethnic Studies department was founded.
1978: AASA helped create statewide network of Asian & Pacific-Islander student orgs, named APSU (the Asian & Pacific-Islander Student Union), after the Bakke vs. UC Regents decision cut much needed affirmative action programs.
For 16 years, APSU and SAAC played important roles in shaping the direction and purpose of AASA
1980s: hallmark for some of the greatest years of development and activism of AASA.
1986: to reflect the change in API student populations, AASA changed its name to the Asian and Pacific-Islander Student Alliance (APSA).
1986: With BSU, statewide MEChA, and NASU, organized the largest march at Sacramento since the Vietnam War.
1980s-early 1990s: Bulk of students from “tidal wave” of immigration entered the 1980s-early 1990s. Filipinos taken off the affirmative action list at UCSD and statewide b/c they were deemed as “overrepresented”
1987: The Filipino-dominated leadership of APSA migrated to Kaibigang Pilipino (KP). Other ethnic organizations were in competition with APSA, but rarely did any of them tackle the more important political issues.
1990s: Gender dynamic of APSA’s leadership came under critique during the early 90s. The conflict resulted in the resignation of both chairs in the middle of the year and the formation of Sisters Across the Waves—an organization for women of API heritage.
1990s: APSA’s role in SAAC criticized. KP already represented Pilipinos @ UCSD in terms of retention. KP had replaced APSA. But APSA changed its scope and its target populations. Southeast Asians and Pacific-Islanders.
The possibility of losing a space in SAAC came at a time when APSA was low in membership. The leaders of the time thought that it was important that future members of APSA should retain a sense of political activism and direction in-line with SAAC.
MISSION STATEMENT:
We the students of University of California at San Diego, come together to provide a forum to deal with the problems and concerns of all UCSD Asian & Pacific-Islander (API) students especially those deemed “underrepresented” by the Student Affirmative Action Committee (SAAC); to create an environment where political, educational, cultural, and social issues can be addressed; to increase awareness about our API history and heritage within the University and the community; to unite as a community to represent a common voice thereby empowering ourselves; and to serve as a basis for building bonds and addressing differences between students.
April 1995: First annual APSA High School Conference, targeting at risk Asian youth that lasted an entire day. The theme: “Taking it to the next level.” The concept stemming from a sophomore Melany dela Cruz.
“To win the hearts & minds of the people, forget the dry facts and statistics; tell them the stories that won you to the cause.”
1997: APSA’s mentor and mentee program was created to provide a one on one interaction between a “veteran” APSA member and a new APSA member.
2010: Compton Cookout: APSA unites in solidarity with SAAC orgs and BSU in order to protest the controversial event that promoted stereotypes of black folks.
2013: APSA implements its first ever Collectives program: a program aimed to increase retention and further establish a sense of community through friendly competitive activities.
The West Coast Asian Pacific Student Union (WCAPSU) is formed and UCSD becomes a member campus. APSA becomes a representative organization for UCSD in WCAPSU.
APSA hosts its first Model Minority Campaign in which a workshop and photo campaign increased awareness of the issue.
2014: APSA incorporates its first ever Film Festival component into its 19th Annual Benefit Talent Show: Counting Stars.
APSA’s participation in SAAC’s March 4th Day of Action Event sought primarily to raise awareness of California’s disproportionate investment in the prison industrial complex (PIC) at the expense of California’s education system. Additionally, Divestment from the PIC was passed by the Associated Students of UCSD. UCSD is the third UC divested student body.
Linda Chang establishes the first ever alumni Facebook group as well as database.
2015: Traditional funding lost for events. Mxntorship program revamped by Cella Chung and Amy Lu. Trump candidacy incites chalkings around campus directed at people of color. SAAC advocates for sanctuary status of UCSD campus.
2016: CCAAS members Yahya Hafez and Edward Nadurata help hire the new APIMEDA Program Manager, Windi Sasaki, a former APSA Alum. Hiring of new APIMEDA CAPS counselors through efforts of APSA, CCAAS, and KP.
2017: Anh Vo, APSA LEAP Coordinator (SPACES Cycle 10) incorporates first APSA x QTPOC Overnight Component for APSA’s Benefit Talent Show 2017, in addition to High School Segment.
SPACES hires 3 new advisors for retention, access and community programs. Role of SPACES support expands for SAAC orgs.
APSA High School Conference and Mxntor-Mxntee Program increase in funding and submitted through the help of SPACES APSA LEAP/RISE Coordinator to ease the financial burden off of APSA Board and gain more support from SPACES. APSA Board still retains control of choosing HSC Co-Coordinators and Mxntorship Program remains co-coordinated with RISE and APSA Board Retention Coordinator.
2018: Whitney La, APSA RISE Coordinator (SPACES Cycle 11) & VCI, and Kelly Fung, Retention Coordinator, initiate APSA Career and Academic Focused Exploration (CAFE) Program, in an effort to address the lack of academic and career focused retention in APSA. Kelly and Diana initiate an alumni network as part of APSA CAFE.
Graduation Banquet now gains up to $5000 in funding and Talent Show gains up to $10,000 in funding from SPACES.
1970s: primarily served the needs of the small Asian American population at UCSD, when Affirmative action efforts only targeted Pilipinos throughout the UC system. So, when the Student Affirmative Action Committee (SAAC) was established, AASA was named a founding or along with MEChA, BSU, & NASA, to serve the needs of underrepresented students and discuss pertinent issues.
1972: First publication called AASA Supplement states its goals as: “…to promote Asian-American identity, cultural awareness, and to re-instill a sense of community and recognition of common purpose and common circumstance.”
Goal:
To provide a forum for Asian-American self definition and expression on issues relevant to problems and needs of our community… to gain self-knowledge and Asian awareness by our collective efforts, with Asians, on all levels, to build our own true identity as Asian Americans.
“We resent the good ‘oriental’ … We promote the concept of pluralism … We are also diverse … We all must ‘get it together’ within our own groups…”
Major struggle through the years: to establish an Asian American Studies curriculum at UCSD. Eventually with the help of other politically active ethnic organizations (MEChA, BSU, and NASA) and faculty support, an Ethnic Studies department was founded.
1978: AASA helped create statewide network of Asian & Pacific-Islander student orgs, named APSU (the Asian & Pacific-Islander Student Union), after the Bakke vs. UC Regents decision cut much needed affirmative action programs.
For 16 years, APSU and SAAC played important roles in shaping the direction and purpose of AASA
1980s: hallmark for some of the greatest years of development and activism of AASA.
1986: to reflect the change in API student populations, AASA changed its name to the Asian and Pacific-Islander Student Alliance (APSA).
1986: With BSU, statewide MEChA, and NASU, organized the largest march at Sacramento since the Vietnam War.
1980s-early 1990s: Bulk of students from “tidal wave” of immigration entered the 1980s-early 1990s. Filipinos taken off the affirmative action list at UCSD and statewide b/c they were deemed as “overrepresented”
1987: The Filipino-dominated leadership of APSA migrated to Kaibigang Pilipino (KP). Other ethnic organizations were in competition with APSA, but rarely did any of them tackle the more important political issues.
1990s: Gender dynamic of APSA’s leadership came under critique during the early 90s. The conflict resulted in the resignation of both chairs in the middle of the year and the formation of Sisters Across the Waves—an organization for women of API heritage.
1990s: APSA’s role in SAAC criticized. KP already represented Pilipinos @ UCSD in terms of retention. KP had replaced APSA. But APSA changed its scope and its target populations. Southeast Asians and Pacific-Islanders.
The possibility of losing a space in SAAC came at a time when APSA was low in membership. The leaders of the time thought that it was important that future members of APSA should retain a sense of political activism and direction in-line with SAAC.
MISSION STATEMENT:
We the students of University of California at San Diego, come together to provide a forum to deal with the problems and concerns of all UCSD Asian & Pacific-Islander (API) students especially those deemed “underrepresented” by the Student Affirmative Action Committee (SAAC); to create an environment where political, educational, cultural, and social issues can be addressed; to increase awareness about our API history and heritage within the University and the community; to unite as a community to represent a common voice thereby empowering ourselves; and to serve as a basis for building bonds and addressing differences between students.
April 1995: First annual APSA High School Conference, targeting at risk Asian youth that lasted an entire day. The theme: “Taking it to the next level.” The concept stemming from a sophomore Melany dela Cruz.
“To win the hearts & minds of the people, forget the dry facts and statistics; tell them the stories that won you to the cause.”
1997: APSA’s mentor and mentee program was created to provide a one on one interaction between a “veteran” APSA member and a new APSA member.
2010: Compton Cookout: APSA unites in solidarity with SAAC orgs and BSU in order to protest the controversial event that promoted stereotypes of black folks.
2013: APSA implements its first ever Collectives program: a program aimed to increase retention and further establish a sense of community through friendly competitive activities.
The West Coast Asian Pacific Student Union (WCAPSU) is formed and UCSD becomes a member campus. APSA becomes a representative organization for UCSD in WCAPSU.
APSA hosts its first Model Minority Campaign in which a workshop and photo campaign increased awareness of the issue.
2014: APSA incorporates its first ever Film Festival component into its 19th Annual Benefit Talent Show: Counting Stars.
APSA’s participation in SAAC’s March 4th Day of Action Event sought primarily to raise awareness of California’s disproportionate investment in the prison industrial complex (PIC) at the expense of California’s education system. Additionally, Divestment from the PIC was passed by the Associated Students of UCSD. UCSD is the third UC divested student body.
Linda Chang establishes the first ever alumni Facebook group as well as database.
2015: Traditional funding lost for events. Mxntorship program revamped by Cella Chung and Amy Lu. Trump candidacy incites chalkings around campus directed at people of color. SAAC advocates for sanctuary status of UCSD campus.
2016: CCAAS members Yahya Hafez and Edward Nadurata help hire the new APIMEDA Program Manager, Windi Sasaki, a former APSA Alum. Hiring of new APIMEDA CAPS counselors through efforts of APSA, CCAAS, and KP.
2017: Anh Vo, APSA LEAP Coordinator (SPACES Cycle 10) incorporates first APSA x QTPOC Overnight Component for APSA’s Benefit Talent Show 2017, in addition to High School Segment.
SPACES hires 3 new advisors for retention, access and community programs. Role of SPACES support expands for SAAC orgs.
APSA High School Conference and Mxntor-Mxntee Program increase in funding and submitted through the help of SPACES APSA LEAP/RISE Coordinator to ease the financial burden off of APSA Board and gain more support from SPACES. APSA Board still retains control of choosing HSC Co-Coordinators and Mxntorship Program remains co-coordinated with RISE and APSA Board Retention Coordinator.
2018: Whitney La, APSA RISE Coordinator (SPACES Cycle 11) & VCI, and Kelly Fung, Retention Coordinator, initiate APSA Career and Academic Focused Exploration (CAFE) Program, in an effort to address the lack of academic and career focused retention in APSA. Kelly and Diana initiate an alumni network as part of APSA CAFE.
Graduation Banquet now gains up to $5000 in funding and Talent Show gains up to $10,000 in funding from SPACES.