An organized Korean presence has been missing on campus since the Korean Student Association (KSA) was disbanded last semester. But one student wants to change that. He is creating a new Student Association-sectioned club.
In April, the SA Senate voted unanimously to derecognize KSA. The senate said the club mishandled SA funds and abused SA's alcohol policy. Abe Chung, a junior business and communication major, has taken the initiative to start the Korean American Student Association (KASA) and plans to steer the group in a new direction by creating a more diverse crowd - something he said KSA had opposed.
Chung came up with the idea for KASA with Andrew Kim, the treasurer of the Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA). Chung said he realized UB needed a group that could focus on the Korean community while also embracing other cultures.
"I wanted to create an atmosphere where internationals and American-born Koreans and just anybody who is just interested in Korean culture can come chill, have fun and learn about Korean culture," Chung said.
In May, SA Vice President Lyle Selsky approved KASA's temporary club status. He said the club wanted to start the process early to "get the ball rolling." Unlike permanent clubs, temporary clubs do not get a budget from SA. Instead, they must raise their funds.
KASA must be a temporary club for two full semesters and fulfill a list of SA requirements before becoming a permanent club.
Each semester, KASA must hold two general body meetings, host two club events, participate in two SA functions, create two fundraising events and attend two community service events. If the requirements are fulfilled, SA's vice president and international coordinator will "sign off on" the recognition of the club and then the SA Senate will vote on whether to approve the decision, Selsky said.
While Chung had gone to a few SA events hosted by other cultural clubs, he had never been a regular member of SA. He knew delving into a position with sparse SA knowledge was going to be a lot of work.
Chung wrote an entirely new KASA constitution because the new club is not affiliated with KSA. He said the constitution doesn't have loopholes, which will help minimize problems and controversy in the future. He was in contact with International Coordinator Matt Siwiec, who helped Chung get the club started.
Grace Lee, a sophomore human resources and international business major and KASA's event coordinator, said she felt excluded when she attended a few KSA events last year. She sensed a divide between the international Korean students and those who were born in the United States.
Lee was aware of other KASA-type organizations at other schools, and when she heard Chung was creating one, she knew it was something in which she wanted to take part.
Although Chung wasn't part of KSA, he had heard similar complaints of the former club's exclusivity. He said he is not sure if the exclusiveness was intentional.
Chung said one problem last year was the language barrier between American-born Koreans and native Koreans. Most of the students born in America can't speak Korean fluently, he said, and Chung felt many KSA members favored those who could.
Chung was born in Korea and raised in the United States. He can speak Korean fluently, like other members of KASA's e-board. He hopes students like himself can build a bridge between the two groups.
KASA members said the club plans to hold many events to promote inclusiveness among students - Korean students in particular. K-Night (Korean Night) is an event Chung plans to throw annually showcasing dancing, singing, acting performances and other talents.
One program Chung is especially interested in is 'LINK,' which stands for "Liberty in North Korea." He wants to raise awareness and educate UB about events happening in North Korea.
Chung plans to make community service a big part of KASA, as well, to make its name known at UB.
Lee said KASA club members work well together, almost like a close-knit family. Chung agreed.
"I think SA [clubs] are actually really important because it helps students to get together with other students with similar interests and kind of creates a family-like atmosphere," he said.
As the first KASA president, Chung is anxious but eager. He has had a tough start trying to create the new club, but he said the process is starting to smooth out.
Once the club meets its SA-designated requirements, it will need to file an "SA club packet," which documents the organization's progress toward recognition.
Sam Fernando contributed reporting to this story.
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