A bright sun, big smiles, and fragrant flowers all accompanied the Asian Pacific American Student Organization Welcome Reception Monday night in the Horticulture Demonstration Gardens.
With a new year comes new students with new perspectives, and last night Korean Students United, Vietnamese Student Association, Alpha Kappa Delta Phi and other organizations all set up booths to welcome the fresh crop of students.
"Asian Americans need a voice in the MSU community, we don't have a distinctive voice yet," said Matt Wong, a finance junior and a racial ethnic student aide in Bailey Hall who overlooked the Pi Alfa Phi booth.
"We need some in politics, the arts, sports, and student life in general."
But Asian-American representation in film is making strides, he said.
"We have movies coming out, like 'Harold & Kumar go to White Castle,'" Wong said. "It's important to the Asian community because it's a full-feature movie with two Asian Americans as leads.
"That is something my generation has never seen before."
APASO is an umbrella group of more than 13 student organizations that works to educate communities on Asian-American culture and history.
Students expect to be dealing with a variety of issues, including ridding themselves of stereotypes, promoting community, fighting for a free-standing Multi-Cultural Center, preserving culture, and voting in the upcoming election.
"This year we're trying to go beyond the stereotypes," Sandy Ma said, an international relations sophomore and APASO's publicity e-board member. "Some of them are passiveness, intelligence in math, and quietness."
APASO co-President Shanthi Nazareth said she hopes Asian Americans show their might in the upcoming election.
"One of our stereotypes is being so passive, and we definitely plan on being progressive and showing our presence," the human resources senior said.
Doctoral student Connie Tingson hopes students feel free to explore different job options as well.
"The possibility of pursuing a profession in what's been perceived as non-traditional fields is growing," she said.
"Some are still steered toward math and science - but the possibility is there."
At the event, APASO outlined its upcoming events for the year, which will include Cultural Vogue, a showcase of Asian Pacific American talent expressed through dancing, and an Asian Pacific American leadership conference.
Asian Americans nationwide also are adjusting to Asian Pacific American fraternities and sororities, which are new to the community.
One of the major aims of the evening was to let incoming freshmen get to know APASO members and familiarize themselves with the community.
"You follow the culture outside the home, not the traditional culture in the home," no-preference freshman Kenny Tang said. "You hang out with your friends and you ignore your culture - that's a disadvantage."
"Freshmen should start as early as possible, you want to keep your culture," he said. "You can come here, and get involved with your own people."
The APASO e-board was also introduced at the event. Rodney Patterson, director of Racial Ethnic Student Affairs, introduced new Asian Pacific American Coordinator, Yen Pham, a former academic adviser.
"It's only been a week and a few days and she's hit the ground running," he said. "She has great ideas, great insight, high energy.
"Students love her and we think she's perfect for the job."
