Survey Conducted: Mon, 2010-05-17
Creator: Lai, Charles and Eng, Patricia; East Coast Asian Student Union
History: Charles Lai was a founding member of the East Coast Asian Student Union (ECASU), a network of Asian American student groups based at East coast colleges and universities. Presently known as the East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU), ECASU formed at the Asian Student Unity conference held at Princeton University in 1978. Though it was established in the late 1970s, the organization claims roots in the protest movements of the 1960s – when the Civil Rights Movement and anti-Vietnam War protests inspired Asian Americans on campuses across the country to engage in political action. In its early years, ECASU promoted student activism among Asian Americans on various campuses. In addition, ECASU organized social and cultural events, worked to establish “Asian in America History Week,” and hosted College Days (college application informational and financial aid sessions) for high school students. Read more