The club held a 12-week-long study group on Asian-American history, which attracted 20 regular attendees, Chan says.

He describes such educational efforts as essential at a school which has no Asian-American concentration, only one course in Asian-American history, which is taught by a visiting scholar, and few Asian-American faculty members.

AAA also ran its seventh annual intercollegiate conference this year. The conference, devoted to Asian leadership, featured Harry Wu, a prominent Chinese human rights activist and political refugee.

AAA also organized a protest against Sen. Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.), when he spoke at the Institute of Politics in April. Approximately 200 students attended the rally to voice their disapproval of Simpson's legislation seeking to restrict legal immigration.

Despite this substantial support, political activism does not offer all the answers for AAA's members.

"For our organization to be entirely political really turns people off," Chan says.

"You alienate people when you're being too political," Lee says.

The club attempts to build a social focus as well by hosting three dances and six study breaks each year. This year the club organized an Asian casino night featuring Asian games of chance.

The annual intercollegiate conference, AAA's showpiece event, also includes social events, such as a big dance.

"We were very conscious in trying to integrate the political and social/cultural facets of Asian life," Lee says.

Lee says, in fact, that the club spends approximately equal amounts of money on social and activist pursuits.

"We're trying to be all things to all people," Chan says.

But he says the club is social in order to be political.

AAA needs social events "to get people involved and interested," Chan says. "If your organization seems like it's pretty active and on-the-ball, plus it's fun, people will join."

Once members are tuned into AAA's social frequency, the club tries to transmit an activist message.