Cultural Organizations

AFRICAN PEOPLES' HISTORY MONTH:
(November, 1993) To celebrate the achievements of African American people in the month of February.

AFRICANA CULTURE NIGHT CLUB:
(November, 2008) To provide students with opportunities for association and interaction with the faculty and administration of California State University, Fresno and to instill the desire for self-improvement, scholastic excellence and the cultivation of civic responsibility. And to raise cultural awareness and to promote diversity within the campus.

AMERASIA ORGANIZATION:
(August, 1974) The Amerasia Organization is a campus club that performs social service and holds social events. For over thirty years, it has helped to educate the university and the community about Asian Americans in the Central Valley and California. Each spring the organization, working in cooperation with other Asian and Asian American groups on campus and in the community, mounts a weeklong celebration that highlights the heritage, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans in the Central Valley. In the past, during this week, there have been films, cultural presentations, speeches, forums, and panels.

ARMENIAN STUDENTS ORGANIZATION:
(November, 1974) To cultivate a spirit of appreciation toward Armenian history, culture, and the Armenian language. In order to fulfill the aims of this organization, lectures, public speakers, movies, and debates are organized.

ASIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(December, 2003) To promote Asian cultural awareness regardless of ethnic, religion, or career choice; and to provide an outlet for opportunities to associate and interact with fellow students and members of the Fresno community in order to obtain a better understanding of Asian cultures.

ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL CULTURE:
(August, 2004) The purposes of APIC are to provide students, faculty, and staff of the University with activities that promote the study and celebration of the cultures of the world. In other words, the practical purpose of this organization is to promote the learning process of cultures of the world. This goal is achieved through the ten month-long planning of an event called: “International Cultural Night” (ICN), which has been presented to the CSUF community for over 20 years. The ICN Coordinator is selected by early January, and must recruit and/or invite people to participate in the ICN committee, which is then divided into sub-committees. The event will incorporate singing, dancing, playing (musical/traditional instruments), and an international fashion show showcasing traditional clothing from various cultures.

AZTEC DANCE CLUB:
(October, 2008) To provide students with the opportunity to learn the Aztec Culture specifically through the art of Native Aztec Dance, and to give students the opportunity to perform in various University and Community cultural events.

BLACK STUDENTS UNITED:
(May, 2006) California State University, Fresno, Black Students United was created to promote culture awareness amongst people of the African Diaspora. The African Diaspora includes Black people from all parts of the world such as Africa, Caribbean, West Indies, and America. Black Students United is open to people of all ethnicities. We focus on informing students, faculty/staff, and the community about the history and current concerns of people of the African Diaspora. We sponsor educational, social, and community activities that allow students to socially network, explore new experiences, and enjoy college.

CALIFORNIA STATE SPANISH ASSOCIATION:
(May, 2006) To provide activities to share the diversity of our Latin culture with others. The most important idea is help all the members to be integrated as a society; to offer successful tools to who has chose Spanish as their major or minor in the development of their career. However, students from any ethnic or major are welcome to join this Hispanic organization. We require people willing to share their time and abilities for the community.

CAMBODIAN COLLEGIATE ASSOCIATION:
(October, 1987) The Cambodian Collegiate Association was established in 1987. CCA's objective is to promote higher education, leadership, unity and to preserve the Cambodian culture. CCA is more than just a student body organization, it's like family. We've volunteered our time to give back to our community and to Fresno. We have annual educational conferences, culture shows, and formals. We take part in Vintage Days here at Fresno State and other events. We network with other Khmer student body organizations in California; we attend the Khmer Student Coalition Conferences (KSC) and show up to the Khmer Unity Games (KUG). CCA's strength lies in its members. Each member is dedicated to paying homage to Cambodia. Many of us were born here in the states and have no recollection of Cambodia. While we embrace the western culture, we hold on so dearly to our Cambodian heritage. CCA is open to everyone. We believe everyone has a little Khmer in them.

CAPOEIRA BRASIL CLUB:
(September, 2005) To promote Capoeira and other aspects of Brasilian culture to the campus of CSU, Fresno; to promote student mental and physical health in the form of aerobic exercise and the discipline of a martial art; and to strive to extend itself to the civic community at large by participating with other on and off-campus groups in cultural events and the like.

CHINESE LION DANCE CLUB:
(January, 2005) The Chinese Lion Dance Club was founded by four childhood friends from Malaysia. Kien Kok, Tiong Hau, Chuin Hun and Felix have been practicing lion dance and martial arts in Malaysia. Kien Kok and Tiong Hau have been training lion dance in Hin Hua High School under Master Siow, while Chuin Hun and Felix have been training martial arts under Master Wu Song Fah. They each came to study at Fresno State on separate dates between 2003 and 2004. They wanted to share their knowledge and culture of lion dance with the Fresno community. So they ordered lion dance equipment all the way from Malaysia, paid for it with their own money, and thus the Fresno State Chinese Lion Dance Club was founded.

CHINESE STUDENT ASSOCIATON:
(September, 2009) To provide Chinese students with opportunities to be involved in university activities and to provide all the students a way to get to know and share the Chinese culture.

CINECULTURE:
(March, 2005) To promote cultural awareness and address diversity issues through a weekly film series open to California State University, Fresno and the Central Valley community.

CLUB AUSTRAL:
(September, 2008) To strengthen the character and academic skills of all club members according to their area of expertise, ethically and professionally; to create academic as well as artistic projects that will allow the club members to develop their personal strengths and exercise their creative abilities; to work with Foreign Language Department to form an academic alliance whose primary function will be to support the club members, as well as students in general, according to their expectations and needs.

CLUB CONCIENCIA:
(September, 2008) To provide an avenue for Chicanos & Latinos to collaborate with various student and community organizations in order to promote ethnic appreciation, unity, cultural arts, immigrant rights, grass-roots organizing, and sustainable alternative lifestyles. If you want to be part of a culturally progressive, artistic, intelligent, fun, group, then we encourage you to become a part of Club Conciencia.

FIRST NATIONS:
(May, 2006) First Nations is a student organization at Fresno State that works to bring awareness of indigenous culture by building upon the camaraderie of the indigenous communities of the Americas. We actively seek to raise the social consciousness by creating an environment that is aware and understanding of First Nations. First Nations includes those directly connected to a sovereign nation prior to colonization; and, in addition, those who support First Nations through participating in cultural, political, and social events.

FRESNO STATE AIDS INITIATIVE:
(September, 2006) To advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness on the campus at California State University, Fresno and the surrounding communities. To assist in the current care and treatment methods for HIV/AIDS as well as assisting the continued search for a cure to HIV/AIDS. We also help to put on a "World AIDS Day" on campus.

FRESNO STATE SALSA CLUB:
(February, 2003) Our goal is to teach others in our community about the beauty of not only the rhythms and movements of Salsa, but of other dances as well, and provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for people to reach out to one another.

HMONG STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(November, 1984) We promote educational, moral and ethical standards for ourselves and future generations, leadership, self-determination and friendship. We hope to promote the understanding of the Hmong Culture to other interested groups of people on campus and the community through the use of cultural events and educational workshops. We help Hmong students adjust to university life and work in coordination with other campus organizations.

HUA REN STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(September, 2006) The Hua Ren Student Association is a campus organization that is open to all who are interested in Chinese culture. During the year, its members participate in campus and community activities that are linked with Chinese culture. This includes activities celebrating the mid-Autumn Moon Festival, the Chinese New year, several trips, and other events.

INDIAN STUDENT CLUB:
(March, 2003) To create a strong sense of unity and belonging amongst the Indian community at Fresno State and to be a bridge to other communities on campus; through its various activities, to cherish the Indian culture and values; to provide information on the social and cultural aspects of India to the university community.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(November, 1974) To stimulate and promote friendship and understanding between foreign and American students.

LAO STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(October, 1988) To promote the cultures, customs and languages from Laos. Our goal is to create a foundation where students can strengthen their knowledge through participation in various Lao cultural functions and through learning of Laotian culture as well as promoting social networks and academic excellence.

LAS GRITONAS de FRESNO STATE:
(December, 2006) To provide an academic/intellectual setting for discussion of Chicana/Latina issues such as patriarchy, sexuality, gender roles, and inequalities. The club will work with the Chicano Latin American Studies department to incite change, awareness, and activism among students and community members.

LATINA/O HERITAGE COUNCIL:
(October, 2007) To promote cultural awareness of the Latina/o community through the celebration Latina/o Heritage Month. In addition, it will provide students with opportunities for interaction with the faculty and administration of California State University, Fresno and to instill the desire for self-improvement, academic excellence, and the cultivation of civic responsibility.

LE CERCLE FRANCAIS:
(November, 2006) To promote the learning and speaking of the French language on the Fresno State campus. It also aims at introducing students to the many French speaking cultures and diverse French speakers around the world.

LOS DANZANTES DE AZTLAN:
(February, 1995) To organize under one group any qualified student enrolled in dancing classes or any person having terminated such classes offered by Fresno State, Fresno City College and/or any educational institution of higher learning, and to work and perform in order to promote and upgrade the self-image of the Chicano through the presentation of Mexican folklore dancing from all aspects of its history up to its present.

MAGKAISA FILIPINO CLUB:
(June, 1974) To promote Filipino-American cultural awareness, student unity, community service and FRIENDSHIP. Events we participate in: Friendship Games - held annually at CSU Fullerton for over 20 years now, is a gathering for all the Filipino-American organizations in the college community to show spirit, pride, unity, and friendship. Friendship games are our biggest event in the fall and usually take place in October; Pilipino Culture Night is an annual celebration of the Pilipino culture expressed through skit, song and cultural dance. With the support of the Filipino community of Fresno, the students of Fresno State, the guidance of our choreographer, and above all, the dedication, sweat and tears of our members, PCN has always been our most challenging and awarding event.

MALAYSIAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION:
(October, 1980) We're a friendly club and welcome members who like some social life on campus or outside with club members. We have picnics and participate in campus activities such as Vintage Days. We also celebrate cultural events and participate in the Central California Chinese Association Chinese New Year celebrations. Other cultural events are Autumn Festival which we do together with the Hua Ren Association.

M.E.Ch.A.:
(September, 1966) To bring awareness to Chicano/Mexicano/Latino students and community that the liberation of our people from oppression, exploitation, and racism is in our hands.

MIGRANT STUDENT ALLIANCE:
(March, 1990) To promote migrant education and to motivate members to interact more with students and organizations on the Fresno State campus.

NIHONJINKAI-JAPANESE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION:
(December, 1986) We do some activities to make new friends or to learn Japanese culture such as BBQ, cooking Japanese food, and cultural presentations. We also attend International Culture Night every year. The last few years we performed modernized Japanese traditional dances. We also have CPP, which is Conversation Partner Program. Basically, we are made of a group of Japanese and non-Japanese people, and they learn Japanese or English from their group mates. So, if people want to learn the Japanese language and culture, JSA is the club to join. Also, there are many other international students and American students, so JSA is also the club to meet new people and be friends with them.

PERMIAS:
(December, 1981) To bring together all Indonesian students and any other people desiring to join the group in exploring the culture, music, arts, and food of Indonesian, and promoting fellowship among members through various activities and events, such as cultural, social, educational and recreation.

PERSIAN CLUB:
(May, 2004) To provide students with opportunities for association and interaction with the faculty and administration of California State University, Fresno and to familiarize students with Iran's history, culture, serve to unite the Iranians on and off campus, and to provide a platform from which students can interact with members of other cultures, pooling their backgrounds to create a greater breadth of understanding.

POETRY JAM:
(October, 2004) The Poetry Jam is a free event open to the public. It takes place the first Wednesday of each month on campus in “The Bucket.” Poetry Jam provides a venue for students, poets, performing artists, musicians, and visual artists to express themselves freely in a diverse and educational environment. All are encouraged to attend, express and share their work. Founded December 2000 Poetry Jam provides a place for self-expression, critical thinking and artistic value while promoting cultural diversity, awareness of the importance of honoring each other’s ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual identity.

PUNJABI SOCIETY:
(February, 2007) To help students become aware and/or get a better understanding of the Punjabi culture, religion, community and help students relate to others like them to aid in their belonging at the University and in a society where Punjabi students are faced with decisions that conflict with American and Punjabi culture.

SIKH STUDENT ASSOCIATION
(October, 1996) We enhance the social, cultural and recreational activities of students from India studying at Fresno State, and improve the opportunity of American Students – Community involvement to the culture of India. We focus mainly on community service during the school year. We also participate in a nationwide bhangra dance competition where dance teams from the US and Canada come to compete for 6 thousand dollars.

SOCIAL WORK STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(March, 2008) To provide students with opportunities for association and interaction with faculty and administration of California State University, Fresno; to unite students from different cultural backgrounds to promote social justice and cultural diversity in the community; to have the ability to educate the community at large about the multicultural awareness; and to get involved in community events to help out those that are in need.

TAICHEE DANCE CLUB:
(October, 2004) To explore Taichee dance for the physical, emotional and cultural improvement of the club members.

TAIWANESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION:
(December, 1971) To increase the communities' awareness of Taiwanese culture, and give members the opportunities to interact with faculty and local organizations in order to broaden their horizons.

TEATRO T.O.R.T.I.L.L.A.:
(March, 1992) To promote Fresno State’s cultural diversity and the need for post secondary education in general through Teatro and music.

TRABAJADORES DE LA RAZA:
(October, 1973) Trabajadores De La Raza (Workers for the People) is an organization at California State University, Fresno that is composed of social work students and students of other majors who believe in social justice and equality. The organization supports its members in acquiring skills and knowledge in the area of social work by participating in community service, as well as, attending, creating, and presenting academic workshops. The ultimate goal of the organization is to prepare students for the profession of social work upon graduation. The organization was founded in 1969 to encourage and promote student involvement in academic, community and social work issues. Members are welcomed regardless of ethnicity or culture. In order to become aware of the complex issues surrounding our society, Trabajadores De La Raza strongly believes in sharing our individual experiences and cultures to develop respect and understanding of others.

UNIGHTED FRESNO STATE:
(September, 2009) To unite students from around the world in order to create lasting friendships, aid in the understanding and knowledge of other cultures, provide a support system for international students, and organize social events to associate members.

UNITED STUDENT PRIDE:
(October, 1987) United Student Pride is an on-campus organization at Fresno State which offers activities as well as opportunities for involvement that have both educational and social value. USP seeks to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming atmosphere for all students. Most importantly, USP provides the opportunity for people to meet and interact with one another, in order to reach a better understanding of others and ourselves. USP is open to all students, of all sexual orientations, and all gender identities. In other words, absolutely any and every Fresno State student can join.