Asian Unity (AU), a student group at the University of Colorado in Boulder with the initiative to make a difference for Asian American students on campus celebrates their ten year anniversary this year.
“We want to help build a better inclusive community of Asian and non-Asian groups,” said Travis Kiatoukaysi, a sophomore business major.
Through offering academic support to students, sponsoring monthly events and working to educate the campus about diverse Asian cultures and issues, AU has been representing Asian Americans at CU-Boulder since 2001. The group was founded in hope to create awareness and help eliminate stereotypes about Asian Americans and invites all students to come together to get to know communities they’re typically foreign to.
Their most well-known event is Taste of Asia, a spring festival on campus featuring food from different Asian countries. AU brings together other Asian student groups on campus to make the cultural event a yearly success. Their annual fall retreat is October 7-9, which will focus on team building, communication and leadership, said Allen Nguyen, a junior business major. AU has partnered with the Center for Multicultural Affairs to provide a workshop on how to be Asian American leaders.
Lily Auyeung, a sophomore business and psychology major said joining AU was one of the most helpful things she did as a freshmen. They are not only a support group, but also a resource for new students who might need assistance with any aspect of college life.
AU’s alliance with other student groups is also very important to them. Most of those active in AU also belong to other student groups.
“We are a support system for each other,” Auyeung said. “We want them to know we are here for them.”
Nguyen said the group hopes to get more attendance at meetings and events this year. He also hopes to minimize the stigmatism that it is a group for Asians only.
“That’s not what we’re about,” he said. “We really welcome everyone.”
Visit their Asian Unity at CU Facebook page for more information.
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