This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
By Adriane Burk and Alexus Austin
Title: Asian & Pacific Cultural Center Records, 1983-2016
Predominant Dates: 1990-2010
ID: RG 245
Primary Creator: Oregon State University. Asian & Pacific Cultural Center
Extent: 10.0 cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement: Series 1: Administration, 1990-2015; Series 2: Affiliated and Related Programs and Clubs, 1991-2016; Series 3: Resources, 1983-2006; Series 4: Events, 1991-2016; Series 5: Publications, 1990-2015; Series 6: Architecture and Remodel Information, 1998-2012; Series 7: Photographic Material, 1983-2013; Series 8: Albums, 1986-2005; Series 9: Posters, Undated
Languages of Materials: English [eng]
The Asian & Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) Records document programs and events sponsored by the Center; students and staff active in the Center; and other student organizations associated with the Center. The Center was established at Oregon State University in 1991 to educate the campus and local community about Asian and Pacific Islander cultures as well as the Asian Pacific American (APA) experience.
Items from this collection have been digitized and are available online.
The Asian & Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) Records document the activities and resources used by the center in order to further their goal of providing an engaging space for students and community members around the Asian and Pacific Islander experience.
The collection contains information surrounding the administration of the center including budget information, reports, handbooks, and employee information. There is also a robust collection of meeting minutes and materials. Materials surrounding the administration and promotion of affiliated OSU clubs and organizations that are related to APA cultural engagement are kept as well.
Next, a collection of resources used to better inform students and staff within the center as well as the OSU campus at large are included. These resources contain information on specific countries represented within the APA community, multicultural advising guides, statistics, and cultural recipes.
Events were also a big part of the Center’s engagement within the community. Materials about the events put on by the center and on OSU's campus, as well as related events in surrounding communities are also represented in the form of planning and promotional materials.
Publications put out by the center and related programs on campus are kept in a series as well. There are also Newspaper clippings saved that are related to the center and its community members.
Then, there are materials related to the remodel and relocation of the center. These show architectural designs and schematics. Some of the materials also include information on the remodel/relocations of other cultural centers including the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center (CCCC), the Black Cultural Center (BCC), and the Native American Longhouse.
A large collection of photographic materials are contained within the collection too. They depict events organized by the APCC including Japanese Cultural Night, a skiing trip, an end-of-the-year barbeque, an inter-racial dating workshop, Sibling Weekend Events, and a food-eating contest. Other images include views of the building housing the APCC and portrait shots of APCC members and staff. Most of the items are color prints and negatives.
Digitized versions of eight APCC curated photo albums are available online. The albums depict APCC events and activities as well as Oregon State students and staff affiliated with the Center for 1987-2004. Most of the albums depict a one- or two-year period. The albums include images of holiday celebrations, including New Year events; social gatherings; cooking demonstrations; dance performances; retreats and workshops; and renovations to the Center's facilities as well as newsletters. Other student organizations are documented in the albums, including the International Students of OSU (ISOSU); Vietnamese Student Association; Laotian Student Association; and Hui O Hawaii. The albums include images of the staff of other cultural centers at Oregon State as well as training offered by Diversity Development staff. Also included are 13 albums of the OSU Hui o Hawai'i organization, dated from the late 1980s to the mid-2000s, as well as a 1998-1999 OSU Asian Pacific American Education Office album. The original albums have been retained by the Center.
The collection also includes posters and tabletop display panels created by the APCC and other Asian and Pacific Islander organizations and clubs at Oregon State. These were featured at APCC events to publicize student associations; they also include general information about the APCC. Some of the panels are topic-oriented, addressing subjects such as health issues in Hawai’i, the Chinese zodiac calendar, the voyages of Zheng He, and AIDS in the red light districts of India. Many of the posters include photographs. Digital photographs of all of the posters are available upon request; not all physical posters were retained.
The Asian & Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) at Oregon State University was established to provide a welcoming and engaging space for the retention and success of students through academic, cultural, and social programming addressing the personal needs, academic excellence, and professional development of Asian and Pacific Islanders. The initiative for the establishment of the ACC (the APCC was originally called the Asian Cultural Center) started as early as1980 and was officially established in 1991.
The ACC gained its first space in Snell Hall 131 and then moved to its former permanent space at 2638 NW Jackson Street in the College Hill West Historic District. The Asian Cultural Center was renamed as the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center in 2003 to be inclusive of the Pacific Islander communities. The new APCC located on Jefferson Way, broke ground in May 2014 and officially opened to the general public in February 2015.
Accruals: Additions to the collection are expected.
More Extent Information: 4 cubic foot boxes, 2 oversize boxes (16x20 and 23x31 inches), 4 map-folders
Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.
Acquisition Note: The materials were transferred from the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center in 2011. Further additions were added to the collection in 2019.
Related Materials: Related Special Collections and Archives Research Center's collections include the Diversity Development Office Records (RG 228), the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center Records (RG 244) and the Pride Center Records (RG 236). The Educational Opportunities Program Records (RG 230), Office of Multicultural Affairs Records (RG 225), the Minority Education Office Records (RG 229), the KBVR-TV Moving Images and Sound Recordings, and the International Students of Oregon State University (ISOSU) Records (RG 247) also document services for non-traditional and minority students at OSU. All of these collections are components of the Oregon Multicultural Archives. The University Publications Photographs (P 094) include numerous images of student cultural events on campus.
Preferred Citation: Asian & Pacific Cultural Center Records (RG 245), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Processing Information:
We acknowledge that materials in SCARC collections and the language that describes them may be harmful. We are actively working to address our descriptive practices; for more information please see our SCARC Anti-Racist Actions Statement online.
SCARC describes the contents of its collections using the language and terminology of the collections themselves. Since culturally acceptable terminology shifts over time, some of the terms that appear in these materials are currently outdated or offensive. For instance, the terms “undocumented immigrant” or simply "noncitizen" have now replaced the once widely used, and dehumanizing, term "alien" - this term is present in this collection in reference to the title and body of a 1991 master's thesis kept within the APCC resources. Nevertheless, these materials are part of Asian American histories in that they can provide valuable insight into the social construction of race, the perception and treatment of immigrants, and the presence of Asian American communities and cultures.
[Date of acknowledgement: July 2023]
Oregon State University. Asian & Pacific Cultural Center
Asian American college students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Asian students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Clubs--Oregon--Corvallis.
College environment--Oregon--Corvallis.
Filipino students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Hmong Americans--Oregon--Corvallis.
Minority college students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Oregon Multicultural Archives
Oregon State University--Students.
Oregon State University. Asian & Pacific Cultural Center
Oregon State University. Diversity Development Office
Pacific Islander American students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Student activities--Oregon--Corvallis.
Students, Foreign--Oregon--Corvallis.
University History
Vietnamese students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Photograph albums.
Photographic prints.
Events and Activities depicted: gardening; presentations; outdoor games with children; dances; Asian Pacific American Celebration, November 1987; Christmas celebration; Halloween pumpkin carving [Dates are based on the imprinted dates on the photographs].
Events and Activities depicted: various social gatherings, including a Chinese New Year event [Date is based on the imprinted dates on the photographs].
Events and Activities depicted: International Students of OSU Potluck Party, October 1997; Cooking Demonstration (Vietnamese) by Kathy Le, October 1997; Halloween Party, October 1997; ISOSU International Fashion Show, November 1997; Holiday Celebration, November 1997; Vietnamese Student Association Thanksgiving Potluck, November 1997; Christmas Party for all four cultural centers, December 1997; Christmas Party for ACC staff and advisory board, December 1997; New Year Mochi Party; Food Preparation for A/PA Heritage Fair, May 1998; A/PA Heritage Fair, May 1998 — Heritage Fair: Pag-ibig Dance Troupe, Pure Saturday, Sick Men of Asia, Hawaiian Local Boys; “Letters to Thien” May 1998; “18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, May 1998; Zero Awards, May 1998; A/PA Queer Issues, May 1998; “Heaven and Earth” discussion by Janet Nishihara, May 1998; Drawing at the film festival “First Strike” and “Tomorrow Never Dies”; Laotian Student Association meeting, June 1998. Also Included: APCC Staff 1997-1998 [Dates are based on the dates written by hand in the album, not the imprinted dates on the photographs].
Events and Activities depicted: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May 1998; APASU ACC AIPA Ed. Office Welcome Back BBQ, September 1998; Open House, October 1998; Taste of the Pacific Rim, October 1998; Interracial Dating in the ‘90s, November 1998; Fry bread Fundraiser, November 1998; Community Caucus, November 1998; Holiday Staff Dinner, December 1998; Lei Making 101, February 1999; All Cultural Center Skate Night, March 1999; Wacky Olympics, May 1999; Cultural Center Staff Fall Training, September 1999; Asian Cultural Center Grand Opening, April 2000; Wacky Olympics, May 2000. Also Included: APCC Staff 1998-2000.
Events and Activities depicted: Open House, October 2000; Kaleidoscope 2001; Cultural Center Retreat, January 2001; Halo-Halo Night, October 2000; Student Involvement Fair, October 2000; All Staff Scrapbooking Class, February 2001; Dead Week “Evening Breakfast” March 2001; Diversity Development Workshop, March 2001; Siblings Weekend, February 2001; APASH “Retro Night” February 2001; JSA Reception, February 2001; Wacky Olympics, April 2001; Asian Cultural Center 10th Annual Anniversary, May 2001; Hui O Hawai'i Luau Evaluations, April 2001; SATO Meeting, May 2001; Children’s Day, May 2001. Also Included: renovations to the APCC completed April and APCC Staff 2000-2001
Events and Activities depicted: Diversity Development Staff Training, 2001; Asian Women and Sexual Assault, November 2001; Sushi Demo, November 2001; Children’s Day, December 2001; MLK Story Time, January 2002; Staff Lock In, February 2002; Northwest Leadership Conference, Portland, undated; State Penitentiary, February 2002; National Day of Remembrance, February 2002; Girl’s Day and Mochi Demo, March 2002; APA Spring Reception, March 2002; Asian Breakfast, March 2002; ‘80s Night Dance, April 2002; Mom’s Weekend, May 2002; End of the Year BBQ, May 2002; Asian Family Center: Women’s Health Issues, May 2002; Lei Making, May 2002; Covenant Signing, January 2002. Also Included: Newsletters, 2001-2002 as well as SAYO, APASU, and APCC Staff 2001-2002.
Events and Activities depicted: Yoga, November 2002; Mehndi, November 2002; Mochiko Chicken Demo, November 2002; Asian Breakfast Study Break, Fall 2002; Interracial Dating Workshop, February 2003; MLK Story Time, January 2003; Spam Musubi Demo, February 2003; Anime, Winter 2003; Beaver Dam Community Jam, undated; APA Leader Retreat, undated; Harvest Celebration, undated; Dessert Demo Shortbread, Spring 2003; Goodbye Party in the International Forum, undated; Asian Masculinity and Femininity Workshop, Spring 2003; Cleaning the S.I. Meeting, undated; All Staff Retreating, undated; Children’s Day, undated. Also Included: APCC Staff 2002-2003 [Note: Some pages were never completed and have notes with events].
Events and Activities depicted: Open House; Game Night; APA Harvest Celebration.
Events and activities depicted: Advisors, 1986; Officers, 1986; First meeting, October 4, 1986; Party at Joan and Shirley’s, October 4, 1986; Shopping at Clackamas Town Center, October 11, 1986; Dixon Fun Nite, October 24, 1986; Halloween party, October 31, 1986; Intramural football, 1986; Intramural volleyball, 1986; Luau practice, 1987; 32nd Annual Luau, Memorial Union Ballroom, February 28, 1987; Picnic at Avery Park, May 9, 1986; Portland trip, April 11, 1987.
Events and activities depicted: Club picnic, 1987; Shopping trip, 1987; Intramural football, 1987; Halloween party, 1987; Pot luck, 1987; 33rd Annual Luau, Memorial Union Ballroom, March 5, 1988; Picnic at Avery Park, May 10, 1988; Miscellaneous photographs, 1987-1988.
Events and activities depicted: Members; Photo and list of Executive Council; Halloween photographs, October 1988; Dorms and snow, winter 1988-1989; Christmas wishes, Christmas 1988; Goodbye Marcia and Stacie; Ski the pass, winter 1988-1989; Dixon fun night; Intramural football, Softball; 34th Annual Luau, March 4, 1989; Picnic, 1989; Banquet, 1989; Miscellaneous.
Events and activities depicted: Officers, 1989; Orientation picnic at Magic Island, August 26, 1989; First club meeting, September 23, 1989; Shopping trip at Clackamas Town Center, September 30, 1989; Intramural football, girls volleyball, fall term 1989; Dixon Fun Night, October 13, 1989; Halloween party, October 28, 1989; Pot luck at Lasell’s, December 1, 1989; 35th Annual Luau, March 3, 1990; Golf tournament and picnic, April 21, 1990; Intramural softball, spring term 1990; Banquet, May 27, 1990.
Events and activities depicted: Dixon fun night, 1990; Pot luck dinner, 1990; Halloween dance, 1990; 1st-3rd place costumes and pumpkin carving, 1990; Intramural volleyball and football, 1990; OSU/U of O tailgater, 1990; Ski trip, 1990-1991; 36th Annual Luau, 1991; Banquet: Old officers, new officers, cutest couple, most friendly, best body, and most funniest, 1991.
Events and activities depicted: Officers, 1992; Picnic on Oahu, summer 1992; OSU Hawai'i express, 1992; Pot luck dinner, 1992; Club meetings, 1992-1993; Shopping trip, 1992; Luau practice, 1992-1993; Halloween pot luck, 1992; Dixon fun night, 1992; Civil War tailgate, 1992; Asian Cultural Center, 1992; Fall activities fair, 1992; Skiing at Mt. Hood, 1992-1993; Shoot the Hoop Tournament, 1993; Performance at Harding Elementary, 1993; Luau preparations, 1993; 38th Annual Luau, 1993; Banquet, 1993; Scholarships and Hall of Fame photos including: Best physiques, most studious, funniest, grouchiest, friendliest, 1993.
Events and activities depicted: Officers for academic year, 1993; OSU Hawai'i express, 1993; Club meetings, 1993; Shopping trip, 1993; Hula practice, 1993; Picnic at Avery Park, 1993; Fall activities fair, 1993; Halloween pot luck, 1993; Intramural football, 1993; Canned food drive, 1993; Dinner at Peacock’s, 1993; Ski trip, 1993-1994; Valentine’s Day dance, 1994; Softball tournament, 1994; Luau preparations, 1994; 39th Annual Luau, 1994; Banquet, 1994; HOSS elections including: Best burp, best pearly whites, Mr. Universe and cosmopolitan bodies, Oscar the Grouch, most Kalohe, club clowns, most scholarly, best Oregon tan, most likely to become the richest, most likely to become the poorest, biggest mouth, most Haole-fied, 1994; Scholarships for: Participation and academics, 1994.
Events and activities depicted: Ziggy’s palz, 1994; Freshman orientation dinner, 1994; First meeting, 1994; Ziggy’s fur, 1994; Shopping trip, 1994; Intramural, 1994; Halloween, October 1994; Ski, ski, ski, winter 1994-1995; Performance, 1995; Valentine’s Day, February 1995; Cane fire, 1995; Hula practice, 1995; 40th Annual Hawaiian Luau, April 29, 1995. Also included: Daily Barometer clippings and ticket from the Luau.
Events and activities depicted: APA room dedication, February 16, 1999; Farewell party for Eloise, Highland View Middle School, April 7, 1999; Cultural show and tell, Highland View Middle School, April 27, 1999; Movie and pizza night, Mila’s, May 25, 1999; End of year pot luck, Brandon’s, June 4, 1999.
Events and activities depicted: Leadership retreat, October 1999; Fall reception, November 1999; APA outreach at AFC, April 2000; Polynesian students visit, October 2000; APA community reception, November 2000; Reception for Andy and Warren, November 20, 2000.
Events and activities depicted: 47th Annual Luau, April 20, 2002; Dinner and traditional dancing.
Events and activities depicted: 49th Annual Luau; Dinner and traditional dancing.
Events and activities depicted: 50th Annual Luau, April 2, 2005; Dinner and traditional dancing.
Events and activities depicted: Leadership retreat to Lakota Lodge, Newport, Oregon, October 9-10, 1999; Outreach event, Parkrose High School, April 6, 1999; 2nd Annual Graduation Reception, Alumni Center, June 12, 1999. Bob Santos, May 20, 1999; New Hawai'i Students & Family Pizza Feed, Market Place West, September 21, 1999.
Asian Pacific American Education Office Album, 1998-1999 is available online
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.