CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE

These are a collection of photographs of members of the Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) taken during the club's early years. From top to bottom, CRAASH members are seen tabling and petitioning in Hunter West, having a meeting on the floor of a hallway, and speaking at their Strengthening Education: Empowering Asian American Studies conference. CRAASH did not begin as a chartered club or organization and therefore did not have access to club space and would meet wherever they could—in the library, in the hallways, and in the dorms. In the last photo, from left to right, are pictured: Olivia Lin, Jessica Lee, Christopher Eng, and Jackie Ng Fernandez.

The Hunter College Asian American Studies Program (AASP) was established in 1993. As the only academic program in Asian American studies in the CUNY system, the AASP offers a minor in Asian American Studies and other resources and programming. The AASP supports scholars, artists, and activists advancing scholarship in the fields of Asian American studies and critical ethnic studies and serves as a resource for New York City's Asian American communities. In 2006, the program was at risk of being cut due to a lack of funding. Students formed the Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) and saved the program within a year. CRAASH is now a student-run club that continues to advocate for the AASP.