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Old 01-02-2007, 11:23 PM
L.O.C.K. L.O.C.K. is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 232
Asian American Greeks differ VASTLY depending on where you are. Many of the organizations in California are much older local organizations, with no national infrastructure. Moreover, due to the high numbers of Asian Americans in California, you will have large chapters and a different focus.

When I was in California, I couldn't believe the difference between West Coast Asian Greeks and East Coast ones. It was like night and day.

Organizations established at schools with very small Asian American populations usually have a much stronger focus on giving back to the community and serving the APIA community. Moreover, the main way people find out about our organizations is through going to General Body Meetings for Asian Organizations on campus where they meet brothers or sisters of the respective organizations. So, there is MUCH more involvement from what I have seen on the East Coast (and I presume Midwest and South too) than in California.

Indeed, when I discusses this issue with the former director of Greek Life at one of the large state schools, she lamented how the Asian American Greeks were not involved with their Multicultural Center and Asian Orgs on campus. That is much different than what I have experienced on the EC.

As for populations...

There is a HUGE difference between Asian and Asian AMERICAN. Most people in the majority don't realize this. I can't tell you the amount of brothers/friends I have who have been told they have "excellent English" or something similar, when in fact they were born in the U.S.

Students from ASIA, have very low participation in AGLOs. Like VERY low. You might get one or two per school, but it's usually mostly Asian American (or people who immigrated when they were like 2).

Moreover, the economic situation is very different for Asian vs. Asian American. Asians who come here usually have more capital because they are International Students and the regulations required to get a visa in their countries. Asian Americans have as diverse an economic background as any other race in the country.

Additionally, it really depends on the school Private Schools with higher tuition draw a MUCH different crowd then a state school, all across the board.
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