Welcome to the Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center

Spring Meet and Greet

Thursday, June 3, 2010

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center Conference Room, Building 95

There will be some changes regarding next year that may affect your club/organization – meet with the APISC Coordinator to find out what they are.  Please have a representative (preferably an E-Board member) attend the meeting.  Also, any questions regarding re-chartering (or starting a new club) may be asked here.

Also, directly after the meeting, there will be a networking/leadership opportunity with representatives from Target.  This is open to anyone and is a great way to start networking even if you haven’t graduated yet; the corporation has a variety of internships and jobs that you may take advantage of.

Announcement regarding the racial incidents on California campuses

Dear students and members of the campus community:

The staff in the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers has been deeply troubled at the recent events towards African Americans at UCSD and against the LGBT Center at UC Davis and other acts of discrimination over the past few weeks including offensive graffiti at our own campus in the residence halls targeting African Americans, women, and members of the LGBT community.  These offensive incidents have caused great concern for many college communities and the well-being of our own campus community. The Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers staff is condemning all student behavior that is disrespectful, offensive, and degrading to any person or group of individuals. There is no place for racism, homophobia, sexism or any other form of discrimination on our college campus.

Last week, there were two incidences of offensive graffiti inside one of our residence halls targeting several campus communities.  The graffiti was written in public areas of the building and was targeted towards members of the African American and LGBT communities as well as women.  While these appear to be isolated incidents and we have no knowledge of similar incidents in our recent past, the fact they occurred is of significant concern to me personally and for the entire campus.

An implicit value of Cal Poly Pomona is the richness of our diverse student population and community.  We stand for equal opportunity, mutual respect for one another, and individual dignity.  It is particularly painful and unacceptable when anyone from any of our communities is targeted.

In response to these incidents last week, we immediately set in place a multi-pronged approach which includes the following actions:

·        University Police have opened a criminal investigation, have filed the case as a formal hate incident, and will criminally prosecute those involved to the fullest extent the law allows.

·        University Housing Services and the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers have partnered to conduct two separate forums for the residents in the impacted residence hall to openly discuss the issue and any their concerns.  While it is still unclear whether the graffiti was targeted towards particular individuals in the hall or more general, we remain in contact with residents who may be feeling unsafe and will continue to offer a range of support services.

·        The Cultural Center Coordinators have met with student leaders to solicit their feedback on their awareness of the incidents, levels of support needed for impacted groups, and input into the type of and timing of further action.  We anticipate that these forums will continue into next week and remain committed to standing with our students who are feeling unsafe or worried.

These incidents are unacceptable at Cal Poly Pomona and community members who engage in acts like we saw last week are not welcome here.  All of us need to remain committed to creating and maintaining a working, learning, and social environment that welcomes and respects our differences and condemns those who believe otherwise.

If you become aware of any details that might be helpful to the current police investigation, please contact University Police at (909) 869-3070.  If you identify students who are in need of additional assistance or if you would like to assist in the upcoming programs, please contact Sharon Rocacorba at (909) 869-5025, swrocacorba@csupomona.edu, or Megan Stang, Director of University Housing Services at (909) 869-3768, mmstang@csupomona.edu.

If anyone is interested in participating in a discussion concerning these issues, we encourage you to participate in the cultural centers and get involved in our campus community.

Doug Freer                                          Sharon Rocacorba

Vice President, Student Affairs             Coordinator, Asian & Pacific Islander Student Center

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Earthquakes Around the World: How to Help 

We are a GLOBAL community and every little bit counts! We encourage you to donate blood, time or money to the relief efforts.

CHILE Information:

Save The Children -- Save The Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Chile, and they are asking for contributions to their Children's Emergency Fund to aid these efforts.

American Red Cross -- The Red Cross has made an initial pledge of $50,000 from their International Response Fund, which you can contribute to to further assist.

AmeriCares -- Vice President of Emergency Response, Christoph Gorder, says AmeriCares is sending medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Chile. Make a direct contribution to AmeriCares' Chilean earthquake fund.

World Vision -- World Vision is sending emergency relief supplies and staff to Chile to help injured survivors. Donate to World Vision's Disaster Response Fund to directly contribute to aid heading to Chile.

Habitat for Humanity -- Habitat for Humanity has a continual presence in Chile, where they've helped construct over 1,300 homes. They will be essential in reconstruction efforts, especially in hard-hit rural areas. Donate to Habitat For Humanity or text CHILE to 25383 to donate $10.

Direct Relief International -- Direct Relief International has offered to provide assistance in the form of medical aid to Chilean authorities and to emergency relief organizations in the area. Give to Direct Relief International and type "Chile" in the "Designation" field if you wish to specify your donation.

International Medical Corps -- IMC has a presence in dozens of countries around the globe, providing immediate medical care to those affected by natural disasters. They are currently deploying resources to Chile. Contribute to their emergency response fund. Further updates on IMC's potential presence in Chile coming soon.

United Way -- Through its affiliate in Chile, Corporacion Sociedad Activa, United Way is planning strategies to provide long-term relief to the region. Donate to the United Way or text CHILE to 864833 to give $10.

Architecture For Humanity -- The design services nonprofit is collecting money on behalf of Colegio de Arquitectos to support the 700 volunteer architects at Flatform Arquitectura. You can donate to this effort through AFH's Chile Earthquake Reconstruction Fund.

Operation USA -- Operation USA is sending emergency relief to Chile following the earthquake. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA's Chile disaster relief efforts or donate online at opusa.org.

Mercy Corps -- Mercy Corps is working to ease trauma to children in Chile through a partnership with Educación Popular en Salud, a Chilean health organization. The program is part of Mercy Corps' Comfort for Kids initiative, which originally worked to help children in post-9/11 New York City. Select an amount to donate and make sure "Chile Earthquake Response" is highlighted in the "Designation" field.

Oxfam -- Though Oxfam recently ended their ongoing work in Chile, the organization is sending water engineers and logisticians to assess the situation and determine what sort of ongoing aid is needed. Oxfam is currently pledging to help local partners in Chile to better facilitate their work. Donate to Oxfam here.

ShelterBox -- International disaster relief agency ShelterBox has mobilized a team to bring aid to Concepcion, Chile's second largest city, that likely witnessed the worst shaking. Donate to ShelterBox.

The Salvation Army -- The Salvation Army has pledged to give food, water and other resources for distribution in Chile. Text "CHILE" to 52000 to donate $10 or make an online donation to the Salvation Army's Latin America Disaster Fund.

Convoy of Hope -- This relief organization may deploy some of its resources to Chile from the Caribbean region. They provide food, water and other essential resources to suffering areas. Make a donation to Convoy of Hope.

Text Your Support for Chile: Text a donation to Chile through one of several organizations via the Mobile Giving Foundation.

·     Text CHILE to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross

·     Text CHILE to 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity

·     Text CHILE to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision

·     Text CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to the Friends of World Food Program

·     Text CHILE to 52000 to donate $10 to the Salvation Army

·     Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA

·     Text 4CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope

·     Text CHILE to 864833 to give $10 to the United Way

Haiti Information:

Oxfam has an emergency team in the capital, Port-au-Prince, responding with public health, water, and sanitation services. You can donate online through its Haiti Earthquake Response Fund or by calling 1-800-77-OXFAM. 

Partners In Health is taking contributions for relief efforts in Haiti, including medical supplies. The organization has had a presence in Haiti for more than 20 years, working to address the health care needs of the country's poor. 

You can donate to The Salvation Army's efforts in Haiti by calling 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visiting their Web site and designating that your donation is for the Haiti earthquake. 

The UN World Food Programme is accepting donations. Head of the WFP Josette Sheeran said the agency is deploying its resources in Haiti, including 86 metric tons of food. You can donate here. 

National Nurses United has issued a call for nurse volunteers to provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. 

To donate to specific relief efforts in Haiti:
United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 
Mercy Corps
Save the Children
International Red Cross
World Vision
Catholic Relief Services
UNICEF
International Medical Corps
Network for Good
CARE
Operation USA
Operation Blessing International
Convoy of Hope
The Global Syndicate
GlobalGiving
Beyond Borders
Community Coalition for Haiti
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Baptist World Aid
Doctors Without Borders
Habitat for Humanity
Action Against Hunger
Direct Relief International
B'nai B'rith International
Bright Hope
Hope for Haiti
American Jewish World Service
World Relief
TractorShare
American Friends Service Committee
Food for the Poor
CHF International
The Lambi Fund of Haiti
Islamic Relief USA
United Way Worldwide
International Organization for Migration
Food for the Hungry
Relief International

The State Department has set up a hotline for Americans to inquire after family in Haiti: 888-407-4747.

There are several ways to donate via mobile device: 
• Text the word "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 on behalf of the Yele Haiti Foundation, founded by Haitian musician Wyclef Jean. 
• Text the word "Haiti" to 85944 to donate $5 on behalf of the Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International. 
• Text the word "Haiti" to 25383 to donate $5 on behalf of the Internal Rescue Committee. 
• Text the word "Haiti" to 864833 to donate $5 to United Way Worldwide's disaster fund. 
• Text the word "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross. 
• Text the word "Haiti" to 45678 (in Canada only) on behalf of the Salvation Army in Canada.

You can also find updated information and general ways to help during disasters at ReliefWeb, USAID and InterAction.
 
The FBI also warns donors to be alert to the potential for scams involving the earthquake. After a tsunami devastated Southeast Asia in 2004, many people lost money by donating to relief organizations that turned out to be fraudulent. The FBI offers several tips here

(Information provided by The Washington Post)