Be Empowered

Welcome Week Festivities!

2009-09-27T23:30:00.001-07:00

Hey all! It's a brand new year and VSU is ready to get the wheel rolling with our welcome week events!

Tuesday 10/6
We Run L.A.
a night out on the town with VSU, so useeLA.
6PM at De Neve Turnaround

Wednesday 10/7
General Meeting
see what VSU's all about, free food, free spirits
6PM TBA

Thursday 10/8
VSU Kickback
more FREE FOOD and good times with good company
6PM at De Neve Turnaround

Friday 10/9
TGIPho
what the pho?! come make some wonder-PHO memories with us.
6PM at De Neve Turnaround

Please RSVP with Michelle:
ph: 909-499-9959
email: trangxnguyen90@gmail.com

or Justin:
ph: 626-487-7237
email: justinsamtran@gmail.com

VSU's Webmaster,
Webkipunji, Steven

Asian American Journalists Association- Los Angeles 2009 Journalism Scholarships

2009-09-02T07:58:00.001-07:00

Need some extra cash to make it through the current school year? Apply for a Stimulus Scholarship from the Los Angeles Chapter of AAJA! AAJA-LA is offering up to $10,000 in scholarships to full-time students attending Southern California colleges and universities right now. Grants of $500 to $1,500 will be awarded at a reception on October 2, 2009. Winners will be introduced to industry professionals at AAJA's Trivia Bowl on October 9. Your application and samples of your work will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges led by scholarship committee chairs Frank Buckley, co-anchor of the KTLA Morning News, and Henry Fuhrmann, assistant managing editor of the Los Angeles Times.

**Applications must be postmarked by midnight Friday, September 18, 2009. Winners will be announced on September 28.
**Application is available here: http://aaja-la.org/2009/08/aaja-las-2009-scholarship-information/

White on Rice - starring Hiroshi Watanabe & James Kyson Lee - Sept. 11

2009-09-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

Jimmy (Hiroshi Watanabe, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) loves dinosaurs and sleeps on the top bunk. Unfortunately, Jimmy is 40, and shares the bunk bed with Bob, his 10-year-old nephew. Freshly divorced, Jimmy has moved in with his sister Aiko and her family while boldly searching for a new wife. His brother in-law, Tak, thinks he’s a disaster. And although Jimmy may lack social grace, he is convinced the best years of his life are just beginning. His plan seems like it’s all falling into place when Tak’s beautiful niece Ramona moves in. But once Jimmy sets his sights on her, he finds he has competition from his handsome co-worker Tim (James Kyson Lee, HEROES), and his intentions begin to go hilariously awry.

Check out the official website for more info: www.whiteonricethemovie.com

The Fight Against Human Trafficking

2009-08-23T23:38:00.000-07:00

On behalf of UCR VSA

We regret to learn about the detention of 11 Vietnamese women and 1 Vietnamese man in the recent prostitution arrest. This news is not only an unfortunate case of criminal activity in the Vietnamese community but also a call for attention to the reality of Human sex trafficking of Vietnamese women in America. Women and children from Vietnam and neighboring Southeast Asian countries are targeted in illegal human trafficking, most of which trade amongst each other to house victims in brothels as they are forced into either intense labor or domestic work.

Due to the recent nature of this event, UCR VSA is devoting itself to fight against human trafficking and discouraging any events that may promote the selling or trade of humans. Therefore, UCR VSA will cease to hold our annual Charity Date Auction. However, UCR VSA will continue its efforts to raise money for a worthy charity by a different fundraising means. We strongly encourage all schools with relations to the Vietnamese or Asian Pacific Islander community to join us in the fight against human trafficking and sex trade by discontinuing any events that may promote the selling, trading, or auctioning of a human being. We full heartedly believe that by taking these small steps we can channel the message of unity within our Asian American community to emphasize the pressing issue of this illegal industry.

UCR VSA will be glad to provide support and ideas for fundraisers in lieu of Date Auction or events of the like. Please feel free to contact UCR VSA’s co-presidents

Kimmy Nguyen – knguy040[@]ucr[.]edu
or
Lisa Tran – dtran023[@]ucr[.]edu

University California, Riverside
Vietnamese Student Association
2009-2010

Injustice in Laos

2009-08-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.persecution.org/suffering/ICCnews/newsdetail.php?newscode=10702&title=lao-soldiers-decapitate-two-month-old-girl-ahead-of-senator-webb-s-visit

Infant used as target practice during military attacks that leave 26 civilians dead

8/20/09 Laos (International Christian Concern) Lao soldiers captured, mutilated and decapitated a two-month-old girl during recent military attacks against Hmong and Laotian civilians. Survivors of the attack said the infant was used for target practice.

“We are told, by some of the Lao Hmong survivors of the recent military attacks in Laos, that the LPDR (Lao Peoples Democratic Republic) soldiers of the LPA (Lao Peoples Army) used the … Lao Hmong girl, while she was still alive, for target practice … once she was captured and tied up; they mutilated her little body and continued to fire their weapons, over and over … until her head just eventually came off after so many bullets severed her head,” recalled Mr. Vaughn Vang, the Director of the Lao Hmong Human Rights Council.

The Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA) reported the incidents, claiming that 8 children were captured and 26 Hmong and Laotian civilians were murdered during a series of four major attacks over the past month apparently designed to stifle “religious and political dissidents” ahead of a visit by U.S. Senator Jim Webb. Christian Hmong were mostly certainly among those attacked as they are often targeted specifically by the regime.

Ranging from two months to eight years old, the captured children remain a concern to Mr. Vang, who said that their whereabouts were unknown and that they would likely be tortured and killed by the soldiers. The decapitated child’s body was found next to her mother, who had also been tortured and killed by Lao soldiers. A number of the female victims were raped and tortured before they were killed. The most recent attack occurred last Thursday, August 13.

Unfortunately, this level of brutality against women and children is not uncommon for Lao soldiers. It is standard procedure for soldiers to surround and isolate pockets of Hmong people and starve them out to be killed when they venture out to forage. Philip Smith, the Executive Director of CPPA, told ICC of video footage smuggled out of Laos in 2004 that documents the aftermath of the killing and brutalization of five Hmong children, four of them girls, on May 19th of that year. That footage was used in an extremely graphic documentary, “Hunted Like Animals,” by Rebecca Sommer. Clips from the documentary can be viewed at rebeccasommer.org, but please be advised that the clips contain highly graphic content.

Natalia Rain, ICC’s Regional Manager for East Asia, said, “Rights groups have rightly called the acts the Lao military commits against children and civilians war crimes. Let the international community not be guilty of the same by its silence in the face of a regime who has already been allowed so much room that it has reached the heights of sadism in the torture and decapitation of a two-month-old little girl.”

VSU's Webmaster
Steven

UVSA Summer BBQ

2009-08-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

The Intercollegiate Council is hosting the annual summer BBQ this Sunday. Food is free, games are free, and the people are free to converse with, mingle, and get to know one another in anticipation of future events. And for Sunday morning, Rides will be offered first come first serve until there is no room left. Any other drivers would be very much appreciative.

What: UVSA Summer BBQ
When: Sunday, August 16th, 2009 10AM-5PM
Where: Gillespie Park
Description: free food and fun

Contact mp.quocminh[at]gmail.com for transportation or other questions

VSU's Webmaster
Steven

Bruins For Change

2009-06-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Progressive Brothers and Sisters,

OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT FOR BRUINS FOR CHANGE is this Saturday!

In March, nearly 100 progressive UCLA alumni spanning through the
decades came together to discuss the continuation of the progressive
movement we experienced during our days together at UCLA. The
overwhelming support for this idea -- the creation of a network based
on the core political values that once brought us together on campus
that could serve as a catalyst for positive social and economic change
-- has brought us to this point: the KICK-OFF OF BRUINS FOR CHANGE.

Bruins for Change is an inter-generational network of progressive UCLA
alumni dedicated to the development, support, and continuation of the
progressive student movement at UCLA and beyond. Taking our
experience as former student activists and organizers, we will
continue to building a movement for a world where the needs of people
take precedent over economic interests, and the values and spirit of
change and activism are penultimate in our priorities as human beings.

Join us for an afternoon of good company and exciting announcements,
as we present the initiatives that you as alumni have prioritized for
Bruins for Change!

WHAT: Bruins for Change Kick-Off Event

WHEN: June 27 @ 4-6pm

WHERE: New Los Angeles Theater Center, Downtown Los Angeles (514 South
Spring Street, Los Angeles) -- parking is $6-$8 per car, so carpooling
and public/alternative transportation is highly encouraged

HOW MUCH: $10 (strongly) suggested donation at the door

RSVP TODAY at http://tinyurl.com/bruinsforchange or by emailing
bruinsforchange@gmail.com

VSU Appointments

2009-06-11T02:03:00.000-07:00

For those interested in applying for one a position on staff next year, appointment applications are up now!

To recap, positions still open are-
College Coordinator
Cultural Coordinator
Fiscal Coordinator

ALSO, we'll be introducing a new staff position,

Community Ally Coordinator!

Look to the right for the applications :)

Nhip Am - With a Little Help From Our Friends!

2009-06-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Dear readers!!!

If you’re reading this then that means you care about us!! Thank you!!

You have been cordially invited to Nhip Am’s (meaning Rhythm in Vietnamese) FIRST ANNUAL SHOWCASE!! Yes that’s right, you get to have Nhip Am all night, all expenses paid, the whole shebang! In a night to remember, members and friends of Nhip Am, VSU, and VNLC celebrate the performing arts through the display of song, poetry, dance, comedy and much more in beautiful Tom Bradley International Hall! We promise you’ll get what you paid for! Don’t miss out on this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious experience that will BLOW you ALL THE WAY to heaven, but if you do Robin will be very sad and start growing pimples on her sexy face.

...Did we say it's FREE?!?!

Doors open at 7, show starts at 730.

V-GRAD Volunteering Opportunity

2009-05-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

The Vietnamese Graduation Committee (V-Grad) is in need of your help! We need students who are available to volunteer on the day of the graduation-Sunday June 14th from 2-6:30 PM. This includes setting up and cleaning up. There will be free (Vietnamese) food provided! There will also be a mandatory volunteer training this Thursday of week 10 (June 4th) from 6-7 PM in the SAC basement. Please contact us ASAP if you can make it!

Too lazy to read?

· Need volunteers on June 14th from 2-6:30

· Free Vietnamese food

· Tasks include: making balloons, decorations, signing in, food serving

· Volunteer Training: Thurs of Week 10 (June 4th) from 6-7 PM in SAC BASEMENT.

Best,

Tuyen Bui
Vgrad2009@gmail.com
Vietnamese Student Union, Administrative Coordinator
Vietnamese Graduation, chairperson

VSU End of the Year Benefit Banquet: Give HOPE, Make Change

2009-05-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Come join us in celebrating not only the culmination of the 2008-2009 year marked with change and growth, but also to give hope for the future. This year's banquet is also a benefit for HOPE, VSU's outreach project. The proceeds from the featured auctions and raffles of student art and other special prizes will go straight to HOPE, as will all profits of the banquet. Please see attached letter for more information!
Where: Ramada Plaza Hotel Banquet Room
10022 Garden Grove Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92844
When: Saturday, May 30th, 2009, 6pm-10pm
Tickets: Suggested Donation of $20.00
Attire: Semi-formal
Contact: Mimi Ho (714) 383-4585, email mimiho90@gmail.com
Daniel Pham (310)408-1937 e-mail dpham20@ucla.edu.

We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP ASAP, as seating is LIMITED. Tickets will be available at the door, or secure them earlier from any VSU or HOPE staff.

Sincerely,
The Vietnamese Student Union 2008-2009

VSU Election Round 2 Results

2009-05-14T16:08:00.001-07:00

Members of the Vietnamese Student Union,

Thank you all for participating in the Vietnamese Student Union Elections 2009 Round Two The votes were counted tonight at 7:30pm by the following members of the board: Lucy Vo, John Tran, Bich Pham, Phillipp Nham and Brian Ly. To assure validity, the counting of the votes was monitored by UCLA full-time employee and the SIAC Office Manager, Nefara Riesch. The results are as follows:

Asian Pacific Coalition Rep
Tina Ngo- Yes 20, No 2 = 90.9% Elected

Webmaster
Steven Nguyen- Yes 26, No 0 = 100.0% Elected

Political Advocacy Coordinator
Dieu Huynh- Yes 20, No 9 = 68.9% Elected

Social Affairs Coordinator
Michelle Nguyen - Yes 26, No 0 = 100.0% Elected

Inter-Collegiate Council Rep
Michael Pham - Yes 23, No 1 = 76.6% Elected
Justin Tran - Yes 7, No 10 =23.4% Not Elected

Public Relation and Alumni Coordinator
Carol Nguyen- Yes 12, No 18 = 40% Not Elected

Congratulations to those elected! Candidates have one week to formally accept by submitting the signed acceptance letter. If any position is not accepted, positions will be reopened for appointments by next year's Executive Board.

Postions still open:
EBoard: Fiscal Coordinator and Administrative Assistant
Board: Cultural Coordinator, College Coordinator, and Public Relation/ Alumni Coordinator

We highly encourage that if you or someone you know that wants to apply for these positions, that you talk to the current staff holding these postions and to Myca Tran, the incoming VSU President.

Thank you for participating in the election process for the future leadership of the Vietnamese Student Union.

Best,
John Tran

V-GRAD 2009

2009-05-12T00:59:00.001-07:00

Hello Graduates!

The Vietnamese Student Union (VSU) proudly presents its third annual Vietnamese Graduation. Our theme this year is "Branching from our Roots" because it is crucial in understanding our roots before branching out to the real world. The graduation will be an outdoor event in the courtyard area behind Powell Library, which is between Powell and Physics and Astronomy Building. Unlike our prior two years, this year's V-Grad uniquely envisions a personalized, banquet-style ceremony in which graduates will participate with their families. We cordially invite all Vietnamese graduates within and outside of their involvement with VSU. Graduates will be seated with their family and friends at tables and will also get to dine for free (Vietnamese food!). There will be a key note speaker from the community, student speaker, and a translator to make sure that our parents can understand what's going on. In addition, we will also have a Vietnamese live band (you know how much our parents love those) and student performers as well. The event is a semi-formal, so we suggest that our guests dress accordingly. Graduates will also receive free sashes on the day of the event. Lastly, we ask that graduates contribute a $25 check that will be reimbursed on the day of the event (more details below).

Register ONLINE at http://tinyurl.com/Vgrad09

Highlights:
- free Vietnamese food
- outdoor, semi-formal event (with shade)
- free Sashes
- translators for your parents
- live Vietnamese band
- key note speaker/student speaker
- live performances

Details:

Vietnamese Graduation 2009
Date: Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Time: TBA (most likely after 2)
Location: South Powell Courtyard (between back of Powell and Physics and Astronomy)

Deposits: $25 Check Due Wednesday, May 20th (Week 8)

If you are interested in participating, please write a check to "Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA" for an amount of $25. Because we are paying for food and decorations, we want to make sure that graduates can commit to the actual event. This amount is only a deposit and you will receive your check back on the day of the event. Please have checks in no later than Wednesday, May 20th, 2009.

**In the "notes" section of your check, write the # of guests that will be attending EXCLUDING yourself

You can mail it to:

Vietnamese Student Union
308 Westwood Plaza
412 Kerckhoff Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Best,
The V-Grad Committee

CSA Heritage Night

2009-05-12T00:58:00.001-07:00

Chinese Students Association Presents The Fourth Annual Heritage Night, “Lord Bao and the Case of the Imposter”

Los Angeles,CA - On May 13,2009, the Chinese Students Association (CSA) at UCLA will proudly present its fourth annual Heritage Night (HN), "Lord Bao and the Case of the Imposter" in Ackerman Grand Ballroom from 8 to 10 PM. In its fourth year of production, Heritage Night is CSA's biggest event, requiring an immense amount work and dedication from its student-based staff and cast members. With over half a year of planning, HN is unique from all other culture shows on campus in respect to its content and goals. Whereas most culture show incorporate modern issues in a modern setting, HN's plot is based on a historical story based in a traditional setting to convey timeless challenges that has no generation barriers; much akin to Shakespeare's everlasting plays. With the addition of chorus and traditional dance to the show line-up, this will be the biggest Heritage Night production yet as it continues to develop and grow each year!

This year’s production, showcasing students’ artistic creativity and vision of an emerging generation of Chinese Americans, examines the struggle for success. Through the production, we hope to promote cultural appreciation to those within and beyond the UCLA community through acquainting the audience with Chinese traditions and culture. We hope to enrich the cultural diversity of the UCLA community through traditional dance, chorus, traditional music, set design, and drama.

The story of Lord Bao, the story upon which Heritage Night is based this year, depicts a trial from the Song dynasty in China concerning the issue of human morality in the world of academia. In a world where social status was solely determined by a single exam, how far would one go to achieve success? The story closely examines human nature in its most raw form through themes such as filial piety, greed, and justice. Lord Bao, a famous historical figure made popular as the iconic harbinger of justice from one of the most widely acclaimed show of the 1990's, has found himself in another mind-bending "case of the imposter." Deftly virtuous, Lord Bao uses his impeccable judgment to unveil the appalling truth between two men whom the twisted gods have pitted with horrific fates: a lifetime of pain and the other a lifetime of guilt.

We hope the exclusion of a ticket system will enable more members of the community to attend our Heritage Night. Please join us for a wonderful evening on Wednesday May 13th, 2009. For more information please contact Public Relations Coordinator Ai Nguyen, at heritagenight@gmail.com or 831-224-9331.

Important upcoming dates:
Thursday, May 7th - Full dress rehearsal [7-11pm]//MS 4000
Saturday, May 9th - Full dress rehearsal [9-1pm]//MS 4000
Monday, May 11th- Full dress rehearsal [7-11pm]//MS 5200
Tuesday, May 12th- Full day rehearsal + Tech Rehearsal {sound and lighting}
[8am-5pm]// Ackerman Grand Ballroom
Wednesday,May 13th-- Day of the show, full day rehearsal starting from 8AM until show time [8-10PM]// Ackerman Grand Ballroom

Voting Begins Tomorrow! PLEDGE &QUALIFIED

2009-05-04T00:32:00.001-07:00

Hello VSU Fam,

Voting starts TOMORROW!!!! I cannot stress enough how important it is for students to vote tomorrow (MONDAY) as the polls open at 7 pm. Vote on my.ucla.edu
MOST IMPORTANTLY IS TO VOTE YES ON PLEDGE!

VSU at UCLA SUPPORTS QUALIFIED.

Remember to vote for those who have a long history and legacy of serving the Vietnamese Student Union whether that be ensuring that our culture nights happen every year or that our projects, HOPE and SEA CLEAR, have the necessary advocates in USAC. (Like Layhannara!)

Here are the candidates:

President: Cinthia Flores (SF!)
Internal Vice-President: Shahida Bawa (SF!)

External Vice-President: Susan Li (SF!)

General Representative 1: Jason Tengco (SF!)****
General Representative 2: Jasmine Hill (SF!)
General Representative 3: RANK NO ONE
Academic Affairs Commissioner: Layhannara Tep (SF!)

Cultural Affairs Commissioner: Abigail Faelnar (SF!)

Facilities Commissioner: Karli Santos (SF!)

Financial Supports Commissioner: D'Juan Farmer (SF!)
Student Welfare Commissioner: Lucy Wu (SERVE)
Community Service Commissioner: Farhan Banani (SERVE)
Campus Events Commissioner: Joanne Lin (SERVED)

Don't forget to vote YES on PLEDGE!

Happy voting!

Hi-5

2009-04-28T01:07:00.001-07:00

UCLA's ANNUAL HI-5 PARTY!

Brought to you by the five largest Asian American organizations on campus:
Korean American Student Association (KASA)
Association of Chinese Americans (ACA)
Nikkei Student Union (NSU)
Vietnamese Student Union (VSU)
Samahang Pilipino

Established more than a decade ago, Hi-5 is easily known as UCLA's largest and craziest Asian American party of every year! Come out to a once-a-year opportunity to mingle and party on a night to remember! This will be one of the last few parties left before summer break so don't miss out!

Contact your local representative for exclusive pre-sale tickets! ($15):
VSU // Brian 310.343.9628

There will be a PARTY BUS! *Details to come*
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=73984644485&ref=ts

VSU Election Round 1 Results

2009-04-22T22:04:00.001-07:00

Members of the Vietnamese Student Union,

Thank you all for participating in the Vietnamese Student Union Elections 2009. The votes were counted tonight at 7:30pm by the following members of the board: Thuy Huynh, John Tran, Phillipp Nham and Brian Ly. To assure validity, the counting of the votes was monitored by UCLA full-time employee and MEChA Project Director for Xinachtli, Alexandra Ramos. The results are as follows:

Retention Coordinator
Layhearn Tep- Yes 40, No 3= 93% Elected

Outreach Coordinator
Katrina Vo- Yes 25, No 15= 62.5% Elected

External Vice President
Malina Tran- Yes 39, No 3= 92.8% Elected

Internal Vice President
Van Huynh - Yes 33, No 10= 76.7% Elected

President
Myca Tran - Yes 40, No 4 = 90.9% Elected

Congratulations to those elected! Candidates have one week to formally accept by submitting the signed acceptance letter. If any position is not accepted, positions will be reopened for election.

Thank you for participating in the election process for the future leadership of the Vietnamese Student Union.

Best,
Thuy Huynh

DREAM Act of 2009

2009-04-03T16:39:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard, the DREAM Act of 2009 (S.729/H.R.1751) was reintroduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) and Rep. Howard Berman (CA) on March 26. If passed, the bill will provide undocumented immigrant youth with conditional residency and pathway to legalization under certain criteria: if they came to America before age of 16 and maintained continuous residence for 5 years, graduate from H.S. or obtained GED, attend 2 years of college/join military and are in good standing (no criminal records).

Please show your support by:
- Signing the petition! http://dreamact2009.com/
- Educating yourself on the issue, the facts, spread the word, and sign postcards addressed to assemblymembers in pledge of supporting DREAM Act.
- Endorsing the cause! http://ucladreamact.webs.com/

The EVP Office and IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, and Success) will be spearheading DREAM ACTion Week, along with MEChA, Conciencia Libre, BAMN, Bruin Democrats, APC, and CAPSA.

There will be several opportunities to show you care about the issue of undocumented students, so keep your ears to the ground about the action week and plenty more! Just letting you all know! As much as VSU is everywhere in terms of involvement and action, if you want to partake in the planning committee, come join me! Meetings @ EVP Office, 6 PM on Tuesdays (tentatively).

In solidarity,
Malina Tea Tran

Interested In Becoming a Future Student Leader?

2009-03-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

Come apply for one of the many staff positions available on VSU Board, or be a part of SEA CLEAR or HOPE staff as well. There are many roles and positions to be a part of so fill out one of the applications available on the main page.

New HOPE Project Director for 2009-2010

2009-03-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I’m very happy to announce the selection of the 2009-2010 project director for the Vietnamese Student Union’s Higher Opportunity Program for Education, Diana Bui.

Diana graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006 majoring in Sociology and minoring in Asian American Studies.

As a student, Diana was actively involved in a vast number of venerable experiences that are too numerous to list in their entirety here. Many of you may remember her as the co-director for the 2006 Vietnamese Culture Night “Family Portrait,” as I am certain that many of you older than I am were in attendance. Some of Diana’s experiences include work with the UCLA Cultural Affairs Commission, API Equality LA, the Peace Jam Foundation, HOPE, SEA CLEAR, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center Museum of Tolerance, where she is currently employed.

We are very lucky to have Diana Bui return to the Vietnamese Student Union. She brings very unique experiences and skills that will help VSU and HOPE improve in its work both on campus and in the community.

Diana will begin her duties as project director of HOPE on July 1st, 2009. I would also like to tale the opportunity to thank Alexander Banh, who has faithfully served the project and the Vietnamese Student Union for the past two years as project director for HOPE, and will continue to be employed in such capacity until June 30th, 2009.

Matthew Van
Outreach Coordinator
Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA

New SEA CLEAR Project Director for 2009-2010

2009-03-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon everyone,

It is with great pleasure and honor to announce the selection of the 2009-2010 project director for the Vietnamese Student Union’s Southeast Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention Project, Cecilia Ngo.

Cecilia graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2008 majoring in Sociology with a minor in Public Affairs.

As a student, Cecilia was in a vast array of activities during her tenure at UCLA. Most prominently Cecilia has served as a former Peer Counseling Coordinator and Peer counselor for SEA CLEAR and as well as the Service Chair for Circle K International. Currently she is employed as the Southern California Housing Rights Center as an Outreach Coordinator, where she serves to promote fair housing.

We are very lucky to have Cecilia Ngo return to the Vietnamese Student Union. Cecilia brings a vast array of experiences and skills that will contribute to VSU, SEA CLEAR, and beyond. We are very excited to have the pleasure to continue to work with her.

Cecilia will begin her duties as project director of SEA CLEAR on July 1st, 2009 but will begin her transition very soon. Please say congratulations to Cecilia when you see her around the office. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Diana Ngo-Vuong who has faithfully served the project and the Vietnamese Student Union for the past three years as project director for SEA CLEAR, and will continue to be employed in such capacity until June 30th, 2009.

Layhearn Tep
Retention Coordinator
Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA

Black April Committee Meeting

2009-03-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
During next quarter, our annual Black April event will be held. Black April commemorates the fall of Saigon 34 years ago. If you would like to be a part of this event, then come to the Black April Commemoration Committee meetings! This week, the meetings will be on Tuesday and Thursday at 8PM in the SAC Basement

SEA Admit Weekend!

2009-03-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!
As many of you know, HOPE High School is quickly approaching! Excited? I am!
But to those who are involved now (or who missed out on HSC), and want to contribute more towards students aiming for college, you can sign up for SEA Admit Weekend.

Admit Weekend will be held on April 16th (Thursday) - April 19th (Sunday) and applications are available on the Admit Weekend page, under the Educational tab.

Ninth General Meeting

2009-03-03T00:18:00.001-08:00

We're hitting the last few weeks of the quarter, but don't check out just yet!

We're here in the college life, the college setting, but do we remember anything about affirmative action? Have you ever heard about Proposition 209? Well then come on out to this week's meeting to see how these two topics relate to each other, as well as how they relate to you.

So come enjoy your time with your fellow members and walk away with some pearls of knowledge!

*ALSO, THIS WEEK'S MEETING WILL NOT BE IN SAC*
*THIS WEEK'S MEETING LOCATION WILL BE ROYCE HALL *ROOM 154*

New Design, New Layout

2009-02-23T01:41:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody,

As you may have noticed, there's been a tweak to the general organization and layout of the website.

To begin, the index is now used for news in regards to events, press releases and updates in general. Feel free to comment on any articles or news that comes up as well.

More specific updates and news articles will be updated under their corresponding tabs as well, so be sure to explore often once updated news comes up!

And our larger programming and events will be listed under their respective tabs as well, so read up on more about these events there

Till next time~

HOPE High School Conference

2009-02-23T01:21:00.001-08:00

HOPE High School Conference

To any prospective high school students (or if you know any other high school students interested),

High school graduation is not far off and you’ve probably started thinking about what you’re going to do after high school. Have you thought about all the possible options available to you? Did college ever cross your mind? If so, do you want to find out if going to a University, Cal State, or Junior College is for you? Would you like help on tackling your college application, especially your personal statement? Do you want to get an idea of what it feels like to be a college student? Do you want to learn all this without having to pay for it? If any of these apply to you, come to Vietnamese Student Union’s 25th Annual HOPE High School Conference.

Vietnamese Student Union is proud to announce the 2009 HOPE High School Conference at UCLA on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. This is a free event with free food and local transportation. You don’t have to be Vietnamese to apply. This year, we are gathering 200 high school students and youth like you all across California to promote the importance of higher education, learn all options and routes to achieving it, and have fun along the way.

The day will be filled with workshops that will help you prepare for college. Topics will range from how to apply for financial aid, which form of higher education is for you, what you should be doing in high school now, what major or career is for you, why education is such a powerful tool, and more. There will also be a tour of our beautiful campus so you can familiarize yourself with the environment. In addition, there will be current college students as well as alumni present so you can ask them any questions you might have about student life.

If you are interested, please fill out the application along with the permission form and liability form. Make sure to have your parent or guardian’s signature. Remember to turn in your application as soon as possible because this is a selective process based on time of submission and on who will benefit most from the event. Lastly, the due date is (as listed above) February 23, 2009. Though we will take in rolling applications afterwards, until March 2, 2009.

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to having you join because together, we are one step closer to building a stronger community. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Bich Pham, HOPE High School Conference Chairperson at vsu.hsc@gmail.com or call at (714) 360-6218.

Student Applications can be found under the HOPE High School Conference Tab, under Education