ECAASU2007

For the first time ever, representatives from all the major Asian American student conferences will come to ECAASU and talk about the most pressing issues facing Asian Americans today.

We will discuss issues ranging from inter-collegiate networking to how to strengthen ethnic groups on campus; from racism on campus to community service; from proactive activism to effective techniques for responding to stereotypes and other forms of racial prejudice.

Panelists:
- Jeannette Lee (MAASU)
- Nina Wong (ECAASU)
- Dennis Chin (NAASCON)
- Courtney Chin (BASIC)
- Adrian Hong (KASCON)
- Steven Raga (FIND)
- Mai Thanh Nguyen and Dennis Ngin (SERCAAL)
- Christine Hung (ITASA)
- Jo-Nathan Howe (VASCON, uNAVSA, APA Spoken Word Summit)
- Abbas Hussain (SAS)

Moderator:
- Chris Lapinig (Yale Asian American Students Alliance)

Panels

Asian American Studies
Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC) 317
Panelists: Mary Lui, Professor of Asian American Studies, Yale; Moon-ho Jung, Professor of Asian American Studies, Uni-versity of Washington; Marcel Agueros, Columbia College graduate, advocate for Ethnic Studeies; Rachelle Cruz, Sarah Lawrence College student, founder of “Liberation Arts”; Ivy Cheng, Tufts University student, National Asian American Student Conference advocacy chair
Moderator: Quan Tran, American Studies graduate student, Yale

The struggle to establish Asian American Studies and Ethnic Studies programs builds on a long history of student activism. In recognizing the integral roles of Asian Americans and other minori-ties in the United States’ past, present, and future, students across the country continue to push for these programs today. This panel brings together faculty members and student activists who will share their past and current experiences in advocating for Asian American Studies and Ethnic Studies on their campuses. We will discuss proactive strategies, public-private institutional politics, east coast-west coast Asian American Studies dynamics, and useful tools and resources.

Diversity in TV/Media
Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC) 211
Panelists: Angela Leaney, Senior VP of Brand Communications, Nickelodeon Digital Television; Sri Rao, producer, writer, director, Sri and Co; Eric Byler, Activist, Film Producer/Director; William Lee, producer of “Five Points Mission”

Moderator: Jeff Yang, Asian Pop columnist, San Francisco Chronicle, Sr. Director, Consumer Strategist, Asian and Asian-American Markets, Iconoculture.

Commercial television and film has always suffered from oversimplified portrayals of Asian Americans. Strides have been made in recent years with colorblind casting and diversity initiatives. However, how can we promote representation of Asian Americans in the media without reverting to stereotyped or culturally-stripped characters? Can a popular form of media develop dimensional Asian-American characters and still remain mainstream? How does entertainment shape expectations for Asian Americans? This panel will explore questions of representation in popular forms of media and examine the progress and future of the portrayal of Asian Americans in entertainment. Screening of My Life Disoriented to follow.

The Future of Affirmative Action in America
Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC) 102
Panelists: Akhil Amar, Southmayd Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University; Jian Li, Yale student activist against discrimination in college admissions; Bill Howe, Education Consultant for the Connecticut State Department

Moderator: Jeffrey Brenzel, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Yale University

Join us as we discuss what lies in store for Affirmative Action in the wake of the Michigan ban and the recent resurgence in interest in this issue. We will carefully look into the intracacies of Affirmative Action and hear different perspectives on the best ways for institutions of higher education to achieve equality in admissions. Come hear views from people ranging from a leading expert in constitutional law to student activists to educational specialists.

Interracial Dating
Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC) 101
Panelists: Shruti Gupta, Yale student; Robert Sanchez, Yale student; Amy Cheng, Ph.D., Psychologist & Asian American Studies scholar

Interracial couples face many cultural stereotypes from society, even from friends and family. What is the history of interracial relationships and what are the common misconceptions? Actual couples will talk about their first hand experiences.

Asian Americans and the Law
(NOTE: this is a workshop, though will be presented during the panel session)
Linsly-Chittenden Hall (LC) 105
Nina Elgo, first Asian American judge on the Connecticut Superior Court

What factors should you consider before investing in law school and a career in the law? Are there tools and resources available that can help you decide, not only whether you can be successful in the law, but whether it would be a meaningful and fulfilling career? Connecticut Superior Court Judge Nina Elgo will share her experiences as an attorney and judge and offer some thoughts and resources with respect to the variety of careers within the profession and how you might determine whether you and the law are a match.

State of Asian America Summit

Panels