Unite, Educate, and Become Visible

a letter from AACC's Chair

At UIC, Asian Americans constitute nearly 25% of the student population. That is a fourth of this campus! Everywhere you turn you see Asian American faces. You'll find us organizing activities, shooting pool in CCC, studying in the Main library, partying on the weekends, eating at Zorba's in the wee hours of the night.. We are everywhere.

We are everywhere, but are we visible???

While UIC takes great pride in its diversity, the University programming often under represents Asian Americans. For example, there is minimal institutional support to celebrate Asian American Awareness Month; it's largely put on by the students! Literally we are visible, but if the University does not recognize us through support, whether in programming or in academics, then we are invisible!

The Asian American movement on campus is gaining momentum. Last year student leaders recognized the need for Asian Americans to unite. Why unite? It is hard for anyone to hear a single cry for help. If we unite our voices, no one can miss our roar! We realized the importance of coming together and supporting one another. We are uniting to address the lack of awareness and education of Asian American issues on this campus, for our own selves and others. We want to bring about awareness and become visible. This handbook, highlighting Asian American resources available on campus, is a result of students working together to reach out to the UIC community.

Though we do not have institutional support for the Asian American community, UIC is still buzzing with Asian American activity. Asian American student organizations coordinate nearly all of the Asian American programming. Between the East and West campuses, we have many organizations that cover a variety of ethnicities, religions, and academic areas. They will fit your interests. Join them, get involved! But realize that these organizations are more than just social; they are cultural, educational, and political.

We hope the students and the community will utilize a cultural center as a resource. It will be in touch with all the on-campus Asian American student organizations, be familiar with the Asian/Asian American course offerings, and other resources on and off campus. Join these organizations, to develop leadership skills and build lifelong friendships, to enrich your experience at UIC. And enrich the UIC community with your contribution. Welcome to UIC!

— Rena Patel
2001-2002 Chair, Asian American Coalition Committee