University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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embers of Culture Shock and Groove Culture, a combination of Huaren affiliated hip hop dance groups, take a rest after last year ' s ITASA show. The Wolverines hosted the midwest edition of the show in 1999. pholo courtesy of Huaren Cultural Association 0) U C o O U) CO c (D CO -J= CO U (D O F c co C O - T3 0) D u (D CO Front Row: Qiana Woodard, Raneeka Claxton, Rachel Gehrls, Jennifer Barnes Row 2: Toni Webb, Kai Wicker, Ayanna Triplett, Erika Harbin, Meagan Pitts, Jenese Reynolds, Carmen Baker photo by Kristcn Stoner Front Row: Mai Lam, Vu Nguyen, Bao Nguyn, Lin Ho, Tu-Anh Tran Row 2: Guang-Minh Nguyn, Nick Katopol, Khang Tram photo by Katie Ryan Kimkru-dler, Sonia Liu, Noah Barr, Stacey Chris D ' Angelo, Christine Sauck, Two members of the Student Mediations Services groups pretend t have a boxing match. The group tried to keep things light-hearted give the serious nature of their organization. photo courtesy of Student Mediation Services . Etufict Student Mediation Services was comprised of 20 medi; tors, both undergraduates and graduate students, wh were involved in various professional fields such as bus ness, law, medicine, and social work. The members wei committed to solving conflicts between parties, such : students, teachers, landlords, tenants, and roommate using the mediation process whereby the third party m diator guides discussion between parties in order to reac a compromise or resolution. Not only did SMS provk mediation services, the organization also offered trainin which qualified participants to become certified medi tors; group presentations to residence halls and Gre( houses; and distinguished speakers who advocated the u of mediation. Psychology senior and SMS member Chri tine Sauck also said, We have even trained elementa school students at Burns Park Elementary to becon conflict managers. SMS ' s services were free and confide: tial to University students, and if SMS was unable resolve a conflict, the organization provided referrals other appropriate agencies.

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oe Reilly, a SNRE student, participates in Irtraditionai dance at the Eastern Michigan University powwow. The Native American Student Association travelled to many pow- wows. photo courtesy of Native AIT K ft C K i Emitcc For the many Native American stu- dents here at the University, finding common ground within the quite di- verse population and maintaining a strong cultural link in Ann Arbor ' s great cultural melting pot was made much easier by the presence of the Native American Student Association (NASA). Jacqueline Pilette, a School of Natural Resources and the Envi- ronment senior and co-chair of NASA, recounted the high accessibility of the organization upon entering the Uni- versity. They made a real effort to always let me know that they were there, and that they were always going to be there to help me; basically that NASA was an excellent support group for me. The support NASA provided to students with Native American back- grounds did not merely take the form of friendly letters and well-wishing comrades. There were many special events for students to take advantage of during the course of the year. Pilette mentioned, Every year we start out with the New Student Reception, so that the older students as well as a number of community members, fac- ulty and University administration can get together and welcome the new Native American students to campus. We just let them know what the up- coming major events would be throughout the year. Among these major happenings was Columbus Day Indigenous People ' s Day, a day that had been marked in past years by several rallies that featured guest speak- ers and nationally known Native American music groups. Other spe- cial events included drum socials, in which Native American (and all other) students could hear traditional songs. During winter semester, a huge in- door powwow was held in Crisler Arena. The powwow was one of the largest in the United States. The Native American Student As- sociation was characterized by a strong sense of community, opportunities for all members to play a part in the planning and production of the vari- ous special events, and, as Pilette de- scribed i t, extreme openness and di- versity. We don ' t have any blood quantum requirements, we don ' t say you have to belong to a tribe, or that you have to be able to prove it, she explained. The absence of require- ments made for a very colorful organi- zation, filled with various Native per- spectives and backgrounds. Even stu- dents from tribes in South America were able to become a component of the association. The Native American Student Association brought Native American students together through- out the year, and by doing so, became a tile in the great cultural mosaic of the University. , Gjrosi. G IsntRow David Cheng, Dean Wang, KarTsang, Chi Can, jvrne. M ' laine lii, Karen Chen, Jennifer Yen, Elizabeth Tsai, Elizabeth 3e,KatfayT an. Mkhdle Qiien. Jane Kim. Andri Chang Row !: Samuel Lee, Dustin Su, Kelvin, Engine Chan, Deborah kxla,FenleneHsu AsrileyHo,JenruferHuang,Dorc)thyKD, Je Zhang, Chuan Qjn, Gilbert Wong, Midiad Wang, Erick by, Jane Yang, PaulineLimRow 3: MusaSiswanto, Andrew ' ong, Charks Fan, Gerald Liu, Hui Lee, Kdly Leong, Peter har IrerKHan,GraoeHuang,VivianQieng,ChrisDnePaik J-UnYee,MelissaYee.GiacEHanRow 4:leDmyParkLorEn Front Row: Afshan Peimari, Neda Alizadeh Row 2: Daniel Filstrup, Ali Thomas, Heather Jensen photo by Kristen Sloner CD O Front Row: I ami Bailey, Kristen Carlson, Tiffany Sharber, Andrew Adams, Marissa Ettawageshik, Adrea Korthase, Tessa Reed Row 2: Shannon Martin, Marie Belton, Glenn Deese, Jacquelin Pilette, Darren Goetz, Cristina Azocar, Joseph Reilly photo by Jennifer Johnson ay Liu, Jason Chang, Jack Chao, Kai-Sheng Chen Row 5: are Coins, Francis Leong, Roger Tsai, Hsu Pai, Enodi Ling, 3ungLee,BenYan,PaulYangJayMai Organizations + 337

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HUAREN CULTURAL Emticc Since its formation at the University in 1994, the Huaren Cultural Association has been increasing students ' awareness of many of the various cultures which originated in China. By upholding its mission statement, Celebrat- ing and showcasing the traditional and modern cultures of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, while providing a means for the exploration of those cultures, the 250 members of Huaren maintained a strong connection to their cultural heritage. The Huaren Cultural Association was entirely student- run and student-organized, and its main accomplishment during the year was their annual cultural show, which took place at the Power Center in February. The annual show displayed the talents of many of its members, and exhibited performances of both traditional and modern Chinese culture. Over 700 people attended the show which fea- tured numerous dancing acts, vocal performances, and even a fashion show. A video was produced by the multimedia company Matrix Media, which made an in- tense effort to capture minute details of the show (like facial expressions of the dancers) by using up to six camera angles. Matrix Media, an Ann Arbor-based company, has also covered two 58 Greene concerts. While Huaren ' s annual cultural show had historically been the single event that brought widespread campus recognition to the organization, junior computer science major Heather Liu added, This year marks a new growth for our organization as we focus on expanding past the show. Huaren ' s executive core, which was comprised of Liu and five other members, worked to increase the sphere of influence Huaren had at the University. Though being involved with Huaren was a commitment in itself, core members also focused on upholding their academic stan- dards in addition to holding leadership positions in other extracurricular organizations. The core strove to make Huaren personable and memorable by making themselves as approachable as possible while still being campus lead- ers. Being a member of the Huaren Cultural Association was an opportunity that was available to all interested students. Liu elaborated, We pride ourselves on being open to anyone who is interested in learning more about these cultures. Events that Huaren members participated in were geared towards promoting unity within the orga- nization, and focused on getting members to know each other better. Throughout the year, members were pro- vided with the chance to attend karaoke nights, study tables, and the occasional social mixer. Huaren worked to increase its recognition on campus and throughout the community, and fulfilled its goal by offering membership to all students interested in Chinese cultures. While the organization included members with no Chinese background, most students did possess some cultural connection to China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. However, Huaren strove to advance cultural heritage while actively avoiding the political conflicts of China. Liu summed up the purpose by explaining, We are concerned with promoting unity despite the differences in students ' cultural backgrounds. Front Row: Leslie Liao, Angle Chia-Chi Chen Row 2: Jonathan Yang, Heather Liu, Albert Chiang, Hongshin Pan photo courtesy of McGrath Studios 2 usiness school seniors Lynn and Angie Chen, and LSA junior Amit Pandya, hang out after the International Taiwanese American Student Association show. ITASA filled the Power Center for this show in April 1999. photo courtesy of Huaren Cultural Association Front Row: Jennifer Lansdowne, Kyle Ho; Jennifer Lansdowne, Kyle Moyt KowffZ: Melanie Jahr, Eric Kuper, Alex Ruthmann Row 3:Mieko Hatano Row 4: Julie Seidel photo courtesy of Horns 2000 I CD n c c Q hO O O O Organizations 339