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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION OPENING LETTER ....................................................................................... 5 VISION STATEMENT ................................................................................... 6 STAFF BIOGRAPHIES .................................................................................. 7 WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD CAMPUS DESCRIPTION ............................................................................. 12 PROVIDENCE .......................................................................................... 13 BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS ......................................................................... 19 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ...................................................................................... 15 WORKSHOP SESSION ONE ......................................................................................... 23 SESSION TWO ........................................................................................ 25 SESSION THREE ....................................................................................... 27 SESSION FOUR ........................................................................................ 29 DINING @ BROWN ......................................................................................... 31 TRANSPORTATION ........................................................................................... 35 BUDGET OVERVIEW ......................................................................................... 37 LETTER OF SUPPORT ......................................................................................... 40 KOREANS @ BROWN ...................................................................................... 43 KOREANS @ RISD ............................................................................................ 47 T-SHIRT PROPOSAL .......................................................................................... 48 PERSONAL STATEMENTS ................................................................................... 49

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INTRODUCTION

OPENING LETTER KASCON was initially a string of facts and fragmented, secondhand stories from friends who had attended KASCON 23 at UPenn. Over 1,000 student participants. Established at Princeton University in 1987. Michelle Rhee. James Sun. Kollaboration. We did not truly understood the potential of a conference to change perspectives and act as a facet for larger social change -- not until much later. We were simply drawn to the idea of a student-organized national Korean American conference that brought together student from all over the nation. We heard that Brown University had never hosted the conference and decided to take part as bid committee members. The past two years have had its ups and downs: days spent scrambling for a graphic designer, learning that we did not win the bid last year, losing graduating members, starting a new committee this year, and many hours in classrooms working feverishly towards an abstract deadline. We particularly struggled trying to find the overlap between our personal goals and motivations for KASCON, which spanned from defining the Korean American identity and networking to need for grassroots political movement in our community. We ended up conducting one online poll after another to vote on our theme. However, in the end, when the bid packet was compiled and designs were set, we stopped and took a step back -- and realized that the packet itself was a mere secondary product of the larger process we had gone through. What had started as background research of Maria Yoon for the conference had led to discussions about marriage and our own pressures to marry a Korean man or woman. The conference planning gave us a safe space to talk about our own unspoken stories, challenge each others views, and overall, better understand the multidimensional nature of the social issues that we wished to discuss through the conference. Now, there are faces and personal stories attached to the cold, hard statistics, and an individualized sense of drive when we talk about hosting KASCON 26. We hope KASCON 26 will facilitate the same type of conversations that led to our own realizations about Korean-American issues and self-identity. The discussions will hopefully examine topics that may be taboo, discover inspirational ideas amid conflict, and expose problems that were once hidden behind a veil of contentment and status quo. We wish to make participants comfortable with being uncomfortable. We must move past the safe and repetitive reexamination of our history. The next step requires that we break down our white picket fences, push ourselves until we reach a breaking point, breakthrough our chains, and break out from this cycle of contentment and self-oppression. Our Korean American community requires action. With this drive for change, we present to you, Brown Universitys KASCON 26: BREAK! Margaret Kim, Juhee Kwon Brown University KASCON XXVI Bidding Committee Co-Directors 5

INTRODUCTION

VISION STATEMENT 6

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INTRODUCTION

STAFF BIOGRAPHY

MARGARET KIM 13 Brown University margaret_kim@brown.edu 908-461-2250 CONCENTRATION: Computer Science CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean American Student Association, Hansori, Ballroom Dance Club

JUHEE KWON 14 Brown University

juhee_kwon@brown.edu 763-300-7508 CONCENTRATION: Biology, Ethnic Studies CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Mock Trial, Brown Asian Sisters Empowered (BASE), Minority Peer Counselor Friend, Rhode Island Korean School Assistant Teacher, Asian Students United

AUDREY CHANG 13 Brown University audrey_chang@brown.edu 516-426-5899 CONCENTRATION: Biology CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Matched Advising Program for Sophomores, Community Health Advocacy Program, Reformed University Fellowship, Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP)

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INTRODUCTION

STAFF BIOGRAPHYSUNG HYUN CHO 13 Brown University sung_hyun_cho@brown.edu 415-745-5432 CONCENTRATION: Political Science CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP), Hansori, Fusion Dance Company

ANDREW CHUNG 13.5 Brown University

andrew_chung@brown.edu 401-489-1700 CONCENTRATION: Biomedical Engineering CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Brown Korean International Student Association, Brown Global Medical Brigades

FLORA HWANG 14 Rhode Island School of Design fhwang@risd.edu 401-533-2579 CONCENTRATION: Interior Architecture CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: RISD Korean Students Association

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INTRODUCTION

STAFF BIOGRAPHYDENNY KIM 14 Brown University denny_kim@brown.edu 917-843-5009 CONCENTRATION: Biology CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean American Student Association, Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP)

KRYSTII H. KIM 13 Brown University krystii.kim@gmail.com 909-241-2402 CONCENTRATION: Literary Arts CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean American Student Association, Korean International Student Association, imPulse Dance Company, Brown Cheerleading Squad, Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program, Brown China Care

WILLIAM KIM 13 Brown University

hyun_j_kim@brown.edu 551-579-2610 CONCENTRATION: Chemistry, Economics CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP), Korean American Student Association

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INTRODUCTION

STAFF BIOGRAPHYHANNAH LEE 14 Brown University hannah_lee@brown.edu 201-694-4319 CONCENTRATION: Biology/History CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean American Student Association, Meiklejohn Peer Advisor, American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, Community Health Advocacy Program, Dash for Diabetes, MedLife, Asian Christian Fellowship, Korean Adoptee Mentoring Program (KAMP), Brown CareerLab Student Ambassador

SEON YEONG PARK 13 Brown Universityseon_yeong_park@brown.edu 3474010363 CONCENTRATION: Neurobiology CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP), Hansori

MIN JUNG YOO 14 Brown University

min_jung_yoo@brown.edu 9177330308 CONCENTRATION: Applied Mathematics - Economics CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Learning Exchange, Korean Adoptee Mentorship Program (KAMP), Korean International Student Association

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WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

CAMPUS DESCRIPTION

Located in historic Providence, Rhode Island, BROWN UNIVERSITY is a private Ivy League institution founded in 1764 the seventh-oldest college in the United States. Its main campus is located on College Hill and constitutes 143 acres and 235 buildings that reflect the Georgian style of American colonial architecture. The Brown campus is open to its surroundings and pedestrian-friendly walking from one end of campus to the other takes about 15 minutes. The Brown community consists of a very vibrant diversity with students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Named the #1 College in America for Happiest Students by Princeton Review in 2007 and 2010- 2011, Brown is recognized its unique sense of style, global reach, numerous cultural events, and active student community. The iconic Van Wickle Gates that enclose the Main Green consists of academic and dormitory buildings. The campus outside of the gates also consists of University buildings, dormitories, libraries and Victorian-era houses acquired from the outer neighborhood. Thayer Street is easily accessible as it runs directly through campus and hosts many restaurants and shops popular with students and faculty. Additionally, College Hills special Wickenden Street is another commercial district offering restaurants and shops. At the base of College Hill is the exceptional fine arts and design college, RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN. Its main art museum, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, has the twentieth largest collection in the country. Brown and RISD share many academic and community resources and offer joint courses.

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WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

PROVIDENCE

PROVIDENCE is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region. Situated at the mouth of the Providence River, the city limits enclose a small geographic region characteristic of eastern seaboard cities, and includes many historic buildings. The Brown campus is within a walking distance (10-20 min) to various downtown restaurants and shops, the Dunkin Donuts Convention Center, the Providence Place Mall (among the largest in southern New England), the Biltmore hotel, and the Bank of America Skating Center. College Hill is beautifully situated in a larger city that offers much to college students in Providence. While countless restaurants and variety stores are near College Hill, the downtown of Providence is definitely a place to explore. Simply a fifteen-minute walk to the core of the city from the top of College Hill, students can explore streets lit with lights from tree to tree and different stores at every corner. Cuisines offered in Providence range from French dining to authentic Thai food and Italian tastes. A creative capital of Rhode Island, Providence combines the accessibility and friendliness of a small town with the culture and sophistication of a big city. It encompasses a thriving art community, vibrant neighborhoods, various shops, and of course the scenic beauty of Providence River running through the city. 13

WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

PROVIDENCE

PROVIDENCE CONVENTION CENTERWith over 150,000 square feet of space, the Rhode Island Convention Center can provide a big enough space to hold large performance concerts like Kollaboration. With a 100,000 sq ft Exhibit Hall, 23 meeting rooms, and 20,000 sq ft ballroom, it is one of New Englands premier meeting and exhibition facilities located in the heart of downtown Providence. The center holds various cultural events and festivals that are elemental to Providence identity, and is within walking distance to restaurants, hotels, and more.

BILTMORE, MARRIOTT, AND RADISSON HOTELSLocated in the center of downtown, Biltmore, Radisson, and Marriott is conveniently located near the Brown University, RISD, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence Place Mall, and other major parts of the city. Amenities of the various hotels include a luxurious spa, fitness centers and business centers that run for 24 hours. At these hotels, KASCON attendees will enjoy comfortable rest at night during their stay in Providence.

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM 02:00 PM - 06:00 PM 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM 09:00 PM - 11:00 PM 11:00 PM - 01:00 AM Check-In & Registration Providence Tour Opening Ceremony Classy Mixer Basketball Tournament Museum After Dark Movie Screening Scavenger Hunt Multipurpose Room (KASPAR) Starts at the Hotel Salomon 101 & 001 Sayles OMAC RISD Museum Granoff Center Multipurpose Room (KASPAR)

PROVIDENCE TOURTo showcase the city of Providence The Creative Capital where Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) are located, there will be tours allowing KASCON attendees to explore the city and absorb the citys role in history. Stops will include the artsy RISD Museum, the historical Benefit Street, and the lively downtown area of Providence. The tour will finish at one of Providences downtown restaurants, where attendees will be able to relax and enjoy the Providence dining experience.

OPENING CEREMONYBrown University and RISD will officially welcome students to KASCON 26 with an opening speech from the Executive Director presenting this years theme, BREAK!, and outlining the itinerary of activities and events for the duration of the conference. The opening remarks will be followed by the keynote speaker, who will offer an insightful and current perspective on the issues and movements relevant to contemporary Korean-Americans. Moving forward from the current issues of Korean America, the speaker will discuss the need for more proactive participation by young Korean-Americans in their communities and beyond. In conclusion of the opening ceremony, a multimedia presentation will be shown, featuring board members of KASCON 26 and a quick glimpse of various conference seminar sessions, speakers, and events.

CLASSY MIXERAttendees will be given a chance to meet new people and get to know students from other university through a tastefully executed speed-dating event. Through one- on-one chats, they can learn about the Korean American community in other universities and also make new friends. 15

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTAthletic students who like a little competition can show off their skills and represent their schools through the Basketball Tournament. Held at the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center, there will be necessary referees and equipment to enable the 5-on-5 basketball tournament. As an incentive, the winning team will win a prize and the title as the KASCON 26 Basketball tournament champions.

MUSEUM AFTER DARKFor students who want to explore their artsy side. The RISD Museum of Art will hold various workshops and performances to encourage and inspire art. With all art materials provided, attendees can finger- paint, sketch, and learn art techniques like blowing glass. There will also be music performances and live performance art to enjoy.

MOVIE SCREENING

As a way of promoting the works of Korean Americans in the film industry, we will be showing a movie featuring Korean American actors/directors for the avid movie-goers and film fanatics. Popcorn and beverages will be provided to make this movie experience even more pleasurable.

SCAVENGER HUNT

To those who want to explore Providence but dont know where to start, we will provide a checklist of places to visit and each locations highlights! Given the checklist, attendees can check-off each place they visit, and when they finish, one of the finished groups will win a surprise prize. 16

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY & SUNDAYSATURDAY08:00 AM - 09:00 AM 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM 10:10 AM - 11:10 AM 11:10 AM - 01:00 PM 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM 01:10 PM - 02:10 PM 02:20 PM - 03:20 PM 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM 04:40 PM - 06:00 PM 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM 07:00 PM - 10:30 PM *Various buildings: List Art Building, W. Duncan MacMillan Hall, Salomon Hall, Wilson Hall, J. Walter Wilson Building Breakfast Seminar Session One Seminar Session Two Lunch Career Fair Seminar Session Three RISD Art Workshops Seminar Session Four Closing Ceremony Dinner Kollaboration Farewells & Check-out Hotel Various buildings* Various buildings* Alumnae Hall, Andrews Hall Sayles Hall Various buildings* List Art Building Various buildings* Salomon 101 & 001 Restaurants Providence Convention Center Hotel

SUNDAY 08:00 AM - 12:00 PM

CAREER FAIRAt the KASCON 26 Career Fair, various companies and employers will set up booths in order to offer KASCON participants opportunities to converse and ask questions. A considerable amount of diverse companies and employers will be represented from industries such as Consulting, Education, Energy, Finance, Government, Health, Law, Non-Profit, and Technology. Business casual attire and resumes are recommended.

SEMINAR SESSIONThe attendees will be able to get to the core of the conference, the examination of the theme, BREAK!. During each session, students will be able to select from multiple seminars focusing on variety of topics related to Korean American involvement in our society. Guest speakers who are expertise in their respective fields will lead the seminar by discussing their own knowledge, experience, and inspiration with the attending students at each seminar. To stimulate the students minds, the guest speakers will be encouraged to promote student participation throughout discussion. Each seminar session will be an hour long and there will be 15 minutes available for travel time between each site. 17

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SATURDAY & SUNDAYRISD ART WORKSHOPSAs a break from the continual seminar sessions, attendees can choose to attend art workshops and partake in learning about calligraphy, traditional Korean watercolor painting, origami, and more. RISD students in the respective majors will lead these workshops. Through this hands-on experience, students will not only be exposed to RISD environment, but also discover and learn about the beauty of Korean art.

KOLLABORATIONWe leave the best for the last, Saturday night ends with Kollaboration and an after-party. Kollaboration will present fantastic live performances by musicians, dancers, and more! The fun continues at the after-party at one of our hotspot clubs, Colosseum, where the music will be bumping and the crowd will be jumping

CLOSING CEREMONY

At the closing ceremony, attendees will reflect on their experience at KASCON 26 at Brown University and RISD.

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WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS

STEPHEN ROBERT '62 CAMPUS CENTER (FAUNCE HOUSE)The newly renovated Robert Campus Center is the social nexus of student life. Faunce house was named Rockefeller Hall in 1904, Faunce House in 1930, and finally Stephen Robert '62 Campus Center after a drastic renewal and expansion in 2010. The lower floor consists of the Underground which houses concerts, pool tables, a piano room, convenience store, and a Kaspar Multipurpose Room. The Blue Room is located at the ground level and serves as the main food court. The upper level has various meeting and event spaces, such as the Leung Gallery and the Petteruti Lounge.

WILSON HALLWilson Hall was built through the bequest of George Francis Wilson for the use of the Physics Department. In 1965, the physics department moved to Barus and Holley, freeing up the space for classrooms and lecture halls. Regularly used for a cappella rehearsals, weekly meetings for extracurricular activities, and small discussion sections, Wilson Hall has a recently renovated lecture hall seats 112 people and has been updated with advanced teaching technology.

SALOMON CENTER

The Salomon Center for Teaching, which has for its full name the Richard and Edna Salomon Center for Teaching, was dedicated on May 6, 1989. The two auditoriums of Salomon Center are used widely for large classes, special lecture series, and guest speaker events. The De Ciccio Family Auditorium seats 594 people and was used in 2011 to accommodate speaker events featuring prominent people such as actor James Franco and American anthropologist and physician Dr. Paul Farmer. The lower lecture auditorium seats 224 people and is most often used for mini-lecture series as well as class lectures. 19

WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS SAYLES HALL Sayles Hall was dedicated on June 4, 1881, a memorial to William Clark Sayles 1878 donated by his father, William F. Sayles. Built in a Romanesque style, the hall consists of a front section two stories high with a central tower one story higher. A variety of classes, including classes in the language programs, is held in Sayles Halls small classroom settings. The large meeting hall on the ground floor contains portraits of all the past presidents of Brown University and used frequently for events such as the Research Fair and Career Fair. Sayles Hall is best known for the organ, which was a gift in 1903 from Lucian Sharpe in memory of his parents. Every year at midnight on Halloween, students cram into the Sayles Hall for the famous organ recital.

J. WALTER WILSON J. Walter Wilson was originally dedicated on October 5, 1962 for the Biology Department. Since the fall of 2008, the former biology building has changed into an administrative center comprised of offices, a campus mail room, and 11 seminar rooms equipped with smart boards with large flat display panel displays for both classroom use and study space. As Browns main student resources and service building, it represents the key objectives of Browns liberal academic philosophy as it is home to the Advising Central, Office of International Programs, and Writer Center. W. DUNCAN MACMILLAN HALL W. Duncan MacMillan Hall, completed in 1998 and named for its largest donor, Duncan MacMillan 53, was built to create a shared teaching and research space for Environmental Studies, Geology, and Chemistry. The building contains the CV Starr Auditorium that regularly holds large science course lectures with a 300-seat capacity. The hall is also equip with smaller lecture halls and small student study areas

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WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS

GRANOFF CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTSAfter a long-awaited grand finish, this 38,815 square foot, three-story art center was officially opened to students and faculty of Brown University on February 10, 2011. The revolutionary Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts is an interdisciplinary art center that sits at the heart of the College Hill campus. It has many hopes for fostering bold new directions in research and creative production among the many scholars and artists at Brown. As President Ruth Simmons says, The Granoff Center reaffirms the Universitys belief that the arts are integral to a liberal education. The center features the 218-person Martinos Auditorium (a common performance venue and lecture hall), four production studios, the Cohen Gallery for display of various exhibitions, a recording studio, and even an outdoor amphitheater.

LIST ART BUILDINGList Art Building was completed in 1971, six years after the building project was launched by a donation by Mr. and Mrs. Albert List, private collectors and art patrons. It is the five story concrete building with distinctive rooftop skylights and cantilevered sunscreens, highly visible in all directions. The first floor has a large lecture room for 225 people.

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WELCOME TO BROWN/RISD

BUILDING DESCRIPTIONS

RISD MUSEUMLocated through the Chace Center entrance, the prominent Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Art Museum owns over 84,000 art works from all around the world. It is southeastern New Englands only comprehensive art museum and is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum is a great resource for artists, students, and residents of the greater Providence area. It welcomes faculty and students to teach and conduct research directly from its collection all year-round. While displaying works ranging from ancient decorative art to contemporary installations, the museum lends its space to various exhibitions. RISDs Act of Incorporation listed three objectivesinstruction, career training, and the general advancement of public art education by the collection of and exhibition of works of art.

OLNEY-MARGOLIES ATHLETIC CENTER (OMAC)The Olney-Margolies Athletic Center was dedicated on October 31, 1981. It is named after two principal donors, both members of the Class of 1936, Joseph Olney and Moe Price Margolies. It serves as the main athletic facility for Brown student and faculty. The center offers a 6-lane running track, 3 basketball courts, volleyball and badminton courts, free weight room, an aerobics/dance studio, and cardio equipment area. The OMAC also stands right next to a newly built swim house finished in February of 2011. 22

WORKSHOP SESSION ONE

BREAKING IT DOWNSession one features lecture-style workshops where speakers introduce their research and work. The workshops ease participants into the conference by giving background information about the work of Korean Americans in current society.

The Nightmare Behind Disney Movies: Race, Gender, and Class

Dr. Chyng Sun, Clinical Associate Professor of Media Studies at NYU Many of our own childhoods were filled with Disney films that seemed to tell us stories of innocence, magic, and fun. However, the underlying messages about race, gender and class draws a disturbing picture about the kinds of values that are propagated under the guise of fairytales and quests of knights on white horses. In this workshop, Dr. Chyng Sun will analyze Disneys cultural pedagogy, examine how it was influenced by the Disney Corporation and helps us reexamine the childhood stories that we have been told and have innocently believed.

Asian American Representation in the Media With Yul Kwon Yul Kwon, lawyer, actor in Survivor Ninjas, Nerds, and exotic trophy wives constitute the majority of Asian American roles in the American media. Yul Kwon will speak about his motivations for participating in the reality TV show Survivor and also barriers he faced as an Asian American male. The workshop will not only discuss past misrepresentation of Asian Americans in the media but also how we can break these stereotypes and what an ideal equal representation media would look like.

Clumping of East Asian Food Culture Jennifer 8. Lee, journalist, author of The Fortune Cookie Chronicles Food is an integral part of any culture. In America, what is commonly known as Asian food is mostly eaten by Americans who are unfamiliar with Asian culture. Asian food does not distinguish between different nationalities or even smaller sub-regions. What kind of implications does this have on how our culture is perceived by American society? Jennifer 8. Lee has extensive knowledge of the Asian food culture in America and will discuss the effects of these false assumptions.

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WORKSHOP SESSION ONE

BREAKING IT DOWN

DR. CHYNG SUNDr. Chyng Sun is a teacher, scholar, and filmmaker. She currently teaches as a Clinical Associate Professor of Media Studies at New York University (NYU) and is a prominent scholar in research regarding the representation of gender, sexuality, and race in the media. Mickey Mouse Monopoly and Beyond Good and Evil were two of her documentary projects that focused on her research in the media culture, and her most recent work involves the increasingly mainstream issue of pornography, especially its trend and presence among college students.

YUL KWONYul Kwon was born in Flushing, New York to South Korean immigrant parents and graduated with a B.S. in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University. He attended Yale Law School and has worked with a variety of positions in law, politics, business, and technology. Yul Kwon is best known for his role in the CBS reality show, Survivor: Cook Islands. After the show, Kwon appeared in numerous television shows, including Live with Regis & Kelly, recognized for his inspiring character and for breaking stereotypes of Asian-American men in entertainment media.

JENNIFER 8. LEEJennifer 8. Lee is a journalist and author of the book, The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, about Chinese food in American culture, which hit #25 on the New York Times best seller list. She has been featured on a TED talk speaking about the origins of General Tsos chicken and produced the documentary The Search for General Tso. She is involved in the Knight News Challenge, an initiative to support news innovation. Ms. Lee was vice president of The Harvard Crimson during her time in college and also spent nine years reporting for The New York Times covering technology, politics, crime, poverty and culture, and wrote for City Room, the Times New York City metro blog.

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WORKSHOP SESSION TWO

BREAKING POINTThis session brings the participants into a smaller space and within closer proximity with the speakers. The sessions are small group workshops that are discussion-focused and based on sharing individual narratives.

How Pornography Influences our Sexual Identities and Relationships Dr. Chyng Sun, Clinical Associate Professor of Media Studies at NYU In her workshop, Dr. Chyng Sun will address how certain aspects of life and social institutions such as pleasure and pain, commerce and power, liberty and responsibility are intimately weaved into our sexual identities and relationships. Students will be able to honestly engage and reflect in an open environment on the intricacies behind this controversial medium. Dr. Sun will specifically focus on exploring the production, content, and consumption of pornography to help Korean-American students engage in thought-provoking discussions about their own sexuality and identity.

Korean War in Color Daniel Kim, Associate Professor in English at Brown University Professor Kims research focuses generally on 20th century American Literature involving Asian- American/African-American traditions, ethnic studies, gender studies, and the Cold War. He will enlighten students on the contents of his upcoming novel The Korean War in Color and examine Americas cultural representations of the Korean War, especially in the depiction of Asians, Asian Americans, and African Americans. He will discuss the creation of the dominant cultural narratives of race and empire that survive in history or the conception of cultural memory and how second- generation cultural memory of Asian Americans have changed concepts on ethnic identity.

Breaking the Binary: Transgender Identities Pauline Park, New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA) Activist Park regularly leads keynote conferences and presents lecture series for a wide array of organizations all around the United States. Her workshop on Breaking the Binary: Transgender Identity will be an introduction to transgender identities, an interactive discussion on the different terminologies of LGBTQ groups, as well as the distinctions between transgender identity and other queer identities. With her own stories as a transgender individual, she will foster a safe and comfortable environment to help students open up and explore their own gender and sexuality.

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WORKSHOP SESSION TWO

BREAKING POINT

LISA LEE & LYNN CHENActress Lynn Chen who made her feature film debut in Sony Pictures Classic's "Saving Face," started a food blog after years of battling eating disorders. One day she stumbled across Lisa Lees story about her past struggles with food and body image and especially about how being Asian specifically played into her obsession over being skinny, Chen knew the two of them had to meet. After connecting over their experiences, they decided to launch their site Thick Dumpling Skin to provide a space for Asian Americans to share and discuss their unhealthy quests, past and present, for the perfect body.

DANIEL KIMProfessor Daniel Y. Kim is the Professor of Ethnic Studies at Brown University. He specializes in 20th-century U.S. literature with a particular focus on the Asian American traditions, ethnic studies, gender studies and the Cold War. He is currently working on a book titled The Korean War in Color where he examines how the Korean War was depicted in U.S. popular culture as it was taking place with a particular focus on how it catalyzed a wholesale transformation of both domestic and transnational narratives of race.

PAULINE PARKPauline Park co-founded the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), a state-wide transgender advocacy organization in 1998 and the Queens Pride House in 1997. She is currently the chair of both organizations and has spearheaded numerous projects in New York involving equal rights and protections for transgendered or gender non- conforming people in health care, education, and work force. Park completed her B.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her M.Sc. at the London School of Economics and finally her Ph.D. in political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She helped to oversee the first fully transgender-inclusive legislation enacted by the New York state legislature in 2010 and has had her literary works on LGBT issues published in countless publications.

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WORKSHOP SESSION THREE

BREAKING CHAINSThe third session will feature larger lecture-style workshops discussing the proposed solutions for problems within our communities. Rather than identifying issues relevant to our community, the workshops take a broader look at our community and propose social activism models as a method of moving forward. Did I Just Laugh At a Racist Joke? Helen Hong, Standup comedian Helen Hong often uses her sense of humor to address other racial stereotypes to bring the crowd together with laughter. She will speak about how to diffuse the Asian stereotype and how to assert the Korean American identity through humor. At the same time, she will discuss the fine line between funny stereotypes and racism in the comedy world.

I Chink, Therefore I Am

Kate Riggs, Performer, Spoken Word Artist Kate Riggs has worked extensively with college students of color, and thus developed various methods on workshops and group discussions. This is not for the weak-hearted, as her hands-on workshops are intended for students to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. She will use her valuable experience from travelling as a performer and the encounters with the Asian American communities to provide a forum to discuss the nature of race in America from the Asian American perspective.

Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery Katherine Chon, President, Co-Founder of Polaris Project Katherine Chon found the company with Derek Ellerman in 2002 during their senior year at Brown University after being shocked by the forced prostitution of six South Korean women in Providence. Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry in the world and Chon is very passionate about spreading awareness. She will talk about the mission of Polaris Project and the roles we can personally take in stopping human trafficking.

Korean Americans in Social Justice

Franny Choi, Spoken Word Poet, Community Organizer Franny Choi is a fervent spoke word artist that has earned numerous recognitions and awards nationally. She currently works in the area of community organizing. Choi will discuss her personal experiences as a college student trying to mobilize the campus community. She will also examine whether the difficulty to organize social movements in the Korean American community stems from our culture, our generation, or our contentment with the status quo. She hopes to talk about larger Asian American organizing and where we as Korean Americans fit into the fight for social justice. 27

WORKSHOP SESSION THREE

BREAKING CHAINS

HELEN HONGHelen Hong is a comedian, TV host, dating coach, and star of Logo Channels reality dating series Setup Squad. Helens adorable stage presence and mischievous point of view have landed her on The Huffington Posts Favorite Female Comedians list and a profile in The New York Times. As a standup comedian, Helens cute little Asian girl demeanor leaves audiences totally unprepared for her naughty and irreverent material. She was a semi-finalist in the 2011, 2008, and 2007 NYs Funniest Stand-Up Competition, was selected for the Emerging Comics Showcase at the 2007 NYC Underground Comedy Festival, and was a semi-finalist in the 2006 Californias Funniest Female Contest.

KATE RIGGKate Rigg is a comedian and Spoken Word artist. Shortly after graduating from Juilliard with a degree in acting, Kate Rigg became a stand-up comedian and musician in New York. Her work often features socio- political commentary about cultural stereotyping and discusses issues related to race, women, and tolerance. Her shows, including Kates Chink- O-Rama: featuring the chinkorama dancers and Birth of a nASIAN have toured at many comedy festivals. She has spoken/written publicly about Asian American culture and representation, and her words have been featured in publications such as Time Magazine, NPR, The Globe and Mail.

KATHERINE CHONKatherine Chon founded the Polaris Project during her senior year at Brown in 2002 after hearing about women being forced into prostitution near her hometown in South Korea. The Polaris Project is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that provides transitional housing and case management to human trafficking victims. Ms. Chon helped establish one of the first community-wide Human Trafficking Task Forces in the U.S. and played a part in passing federal legislation that would create services for human trafficking victims. She is a recipient of the Do Something BRICK award, the Peoples Voice award, and the Legacy award, among others, in honor of her leadership and social entrepreneurship. Polaris Project has grown rapidly since its beginning and has become one of the largest and recognized anti-trafficking organization in the U.S. 28

WORKSHOP SESSION FOUR

BREAKING OUTThe final workshop session will embody the theme of the conference Break! and urge students to take action in their communities. The discussion focused workshops provide multiple facets for participants to speak and act out against injustices through art, writing, speech, or activism.

Who Needs Marriage?: Breaking the Binding Obligation of Marriage

Maria Yoon, Artist For many Korean women, the duty of getting married weighs down upon them during their 20s. Even men are actively discouraged from staying single. Why is marriage so necessary in Korean culture? Maria Yoons workshop will involve the dismantling of an institution that has been a part of American culture as well as of many other cultures for hundreds of years. By discussing her work and projects in depth, Yoon will speak about her personal difficulties with societal expectations and obligations as a first generation Korean-American unmarried woman.

How to Make Yourself Heard!

PJ Kim, NY City Council Candidate We should speak up boldly, fluently, and persuasively as assertive individuals and as a community. This workshop is for anyone who feels that they have great ideas and opinions but wish to find better means of communicating them to get the attention they deserve. PJ Kim, Harvard Business School graduate and NY City Council Candidate, will teach participants about effective public speaking to make our voices heard loud and clear in any public forum related to politics, business, or anywhere else. Angry Asian Girl: Our Silenced Narratives Lela Lee, Author of Angry Asian Girl comics Korean women are socialized to be feminine, to be quiet, to be polite, to be nice. And our anger is denied us. What can we do to break out of this repressive cycle of thinking and feel free to express justified anger like men do? This workshop for women and men will raise awareness for the issues that Asian American women and women in general face because of societys unrealistic and belittling expectations. She will discuss how this affects our lives in subtle ways.

Writing Ourselves Into Existence

Anida Yoeu Ali, Artist How does our perception of who we are conflict with images and stereotypes of who we are not? This workshop will explore the complicated truths of what it means to be Asian American. Through popular theater games, exercises, and writing prompts, participants will learn to write about their lives. We will address issues related to our names, home, neighborhood, family life, childhood memories and more. This workshop is meant to provoke, inspire, and extract stories from our personal experiences so that we may better understand our identity politics. 29

WORKSHOP SESSION FOUR

BREAKING OUT

MARIA YOONAs a Korean-born artist, Maria Yoon holds a BFA from the Cooper Union and currently works in New York City as a Contractual Senior Educator/Consultant for the Education Department at museums across the city. In 2001, she began an ongoing-project involving a unique artistic series of works entitled Maria the Korean Bride. Maria the Korean Bride is a multi- media performance that includes photography-collages and videos that highlight social pressures as a Korean-American, and it has received widespread attention from Asian-American communities in the New York area. As a part of her project, she married fifty men in fifty states across America. Yoons work is exhibited throughout the US and Korea, and she is an annual guest lecturer/performance artist for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

PJ KIMFormer NYC Council Candidate, PJ Kim is a first generation immigrant who ended up receiving his BA in public policy at Princeton and his MBA/MPA at Harvard Business School. Instead of going into the corporate finance world, Kim decided to enlist his passion for public service and business experience to expand economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. He is currently helping to start and lead numerous nonprofit anti-poverty programs that have helped tens of thousands of low-income residents in NYC and across the country to access public and private assistance, move out of economic crisis, and begin to build assets.

LELA LEELela Lee created the comic, Angry Little Asian Girl during college in response to her frustration at sexism and racism in popular culture. After graduating, she became an actress but continued working on this comic strip about an Asian American girl named Kim who dealt with stereotyping. Her comics became wildly popular and have been turned into a series of short films, books, and web comic. She also began a companion comic strip called Angry Little Girls with new characters of all different races.

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DINING @ BROWN

ON-CAMPUS Dining facilities on the Brown Campus will be the most convenient and accessible option for visitors while they are attending events. Eleven dining halls and satellite cafs serve variety of meal and snacking options throughout the day, from 7:30 a.m. at the earliest to 2:00 a.m. at the latest.

THE SHARPE REFECTORY (THE RATTY)

LOCATION: 144 Thayer Street, Wriston Quad HOURS: Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Sun 10:30 a.m. 7:30 p.m. The Sharpe Refectory is the largest buffet-style dining location at Brown. It has four different stations (Bistro, Grill, Roots and Shoots and Tastes of the World) and salad, cereal and omelet bars. Vegan option is also offered daily.

THE GATELOCATION: 194 Meeting Street, Pembroke Campus HOURS: Everyday 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Located in proximity to the Verney-Woolley, the Gate is a popular late-night snack options, including deli sandwiches, specialty pizzas along with soups. IVY ROOM LOCATION: 144 Thayer Street, Lower Level HOURS: Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m., 7:45 p.m. 12:00 a.m. Located on the lower level of the Ratty, Ivy room serves hot entrees, grilled sandwiches, homemade soups and breads at lunch. It provides variety of vegetarian snacks at dinner, including omelet, falafel, frozen yogurt and smoothies. 31

THE BLUE ROOMLOCATION: 75 Waterman Street, Stephen Robert Campus Center HOURS: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. 9:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. The Blue Room serves great hot breakfast, lunch and dinner options. It offers a large selection of pastries, sandwiches, sushi, salads, bagels and coffee that attendees can conveniently grab and go. Located on the Main Green, it is the center of campus life frequented by students, professors and other University personalities.

VERNEY-WOOLLEY DINING HALL (V-DUB)

LOCATION: 135 Cushing St., Pembroke Campus HOURS: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Located on the northern part of the campus, Verney-Woolley provides All-you-care-to eat dining services similar to the Ratty. It accommodates wide range of food choices including its grill line, pasta bar, stir-fry line, salad and cereal bars, deli bar, and fruit, dessert and waffle stations.

JOSIAHS (JOS)

LOCATION: 144 Power Street, Vartan Gregorian Quad HOURS: Mon-Sun 6:00pm - 2:00am Josiah's is known for its selection of American all-time favorites. Opening until 2:00 a.m. everyday, it is a reliable choice for dinners and late Night meals. Items include sandwiches and burgers from the grill, along with salad, soups, quesadillas, ice cream and some snacks. For more information, visit http://brown.edu/Student_Services/Food_Services/

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DINING @ BROWN

OFF-CAMPUSTHAYER STREETPlentiful restaurants are located in the immediate vicinity of the Brown Campus. Thayer Street, running right through the campus, is a convenient and affordable destination with numerous shops and restaurants.

CHAIN RESTAURANTS Chipotle Johnny Rockets LOCAL RESTAURANTS Antonios Pizza Nice Slice Better Burger Co. Extreme Pizza & Wing Soban* Haruki Express

Au Bon Pain Subway Kabob-N-Curry Shanghai Paragon Caf Shark Bar and Grill Spice Thai Bistro Sushi Express

Ben & Jerrys Starbucks Coffee Andreas Restaurant East Side Pockets Karta Bar Gorditos Burritos Bajas Tex & Mex

LOCAL CAF AND DESSERT SHOPS: Froyo World* Blue State Coffee Meeting Street Caf Juniper* La Creperie Tealuxe Bagel Gourmet * - Indicates that the restaurant/ establishment has promised to provide discounts 33

WICKENDEN STREETWickenden Street is located about 10 minutes from campus. Filled with art galleries, independent shops and cafes, Wickenden Street will be a great weekend brunch option for the attendees. Abyssinia Brickway on Wickenden Sakura Amys Place Duck and Bunny Tokyo

DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE

Resting just below College Hill, downtown Providence is about 15 minute walks from the Brown campus. There are both affordable chain restaurants and fancy high-end places. Caf Nuovo Finnegans Wake Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Gracies Bar and Grille La Laiterie Local 121 McCormick & Schmick's Ten Prime Steak and Sushi Sura * Fire and Ice Teriyaki and Korean House * Alforno Capriccio Hemenways Seafood Cuban Revolution Pot Au Feu and many more!

FOOD TRUCKSMama Kims Korean BBQ* De Las Olas Taqueria El Taconazo Hewtins Dog Mobile Like No Udder Poco Loco Tacos PVD Juice Company Sugarush Rocket Truck Plouf Plouf Mijos Tacos Providence Coffee Roasters

OTHER NOTABLE CUISINESun & Moon* Ichiban* Cup n Roll* Asiana Food Market* 34 H-Mart (in Boston)*

TRANSPORTATION

GETTING TO BROWN Conveniently located on the College Hill near Downtown Providence, Brown University is easily accessible as there are a variety of available transportations near Brown Campus. The major train (Amtrak and MBTA) and bus (Megabus, Peterpan Bus and Greyhound) stations are in 10-15 minutes walking distance from the Brown Campus, and T.F. Green airport is within a 15-minute driving distance.

BY PLANE

T. F. Green Airport is about 10 miles south of Providence. Participants may take advantage of the Airport taxi service or Aero-Airport Limousine Service. Limousine service costs $11 for a one-way trip. It runs from 5am to 11pm, leaving the airport every hour and stops at Browns Faunce arch 27 minutes after the hour.

BY TRAIN

The Providence Amtrak station is located downtown, about a 15-minute walk from the Brown campus. Cabs can also be taken for a low fare, typically around 6 to 8 dollars. There are two train services offered: Amtrak and MBTA. Northeast Regional line of Amtrak runs from Virginia to Boston, passing through Washington D.C., Philadelphia, NYC, New Haven, and Providence. MBTA commuter rail runs from Boston South Station to Providence in an hour (one-way $8.25). Trains usually run from 5:00/6:00 a.m. in the morning to 12:00/1:00 a.m. at night.

BY CAR

FROM THE NORTH OR SOUTH: From either I-95 South or I-95 North, take Exit 22A, Downtown, Memorial Boulevard. At the fifth traffic light, turn left onto College St. Cross the bridge and proceed up the hill following College St to the end. At the top of the hill, you will see Browns Van Wickle Gates. Turn left onto Prospect St. At the next light, turn right onto Waterman St. FROM THE EAST: Follow I-195 West until exit 2, South Main St. Travel down South Main St to the first light. Turn right onto College St. At the next stop sign, go straight. At the top of the hill, you will see Browns Van Wickle Gates. Turn left onto Prospect St. At the next light, turn right onto Waterman St.

BY BUS

The Providence bus stop is located in the Kennedy Plaza, which is also located at downtown Providence. It is a 10-minute walk from the Brown Campus, and cabs can be taken to campus for a low fare. The two bus services, Peter Pan and Greyhound, provide transportation from the Northeast regions to Providence at reasonable prices. Megabus is also a good option when traveling from New York City. Ticket price is usually under $20. Buses usually run during the day from 5:00/6:00 a.m. in the morning to 12:00/1:00 a.m. at night. 35

TRANSPORTATION

GETTING AROUND

TAXIFrom anywhere in the Providence, attendees can call for taxi services whenever needed. There are many taxi companies around the campus. A list includes: Yellow Cab (401-941-1122), Checker Cab (401-944-2000), Dominican Taxi (401-421-3787), East Side Taxi (401- 521-4200), Economy Cab (401- 944-6700), Bay Taxi (401-461-0780), and Gonzales Taxi (401-331-9560).

RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY (RIPTA)

RIPTA is the main public transportation system in Rhode Island, and is a convenient mode of traveling when exploring providence neighborhoods such as Federal Hills, Fox Points, and Wayland. The fare for buses and trolley is $2 per ride, and daily pass is available at $6.00. Children under 5 ride free when accompanied by an adult.

ZIPCAR

There are two locations of Zipcar, one of the largest car rental company, near Brown. During the stay, attendees may borrow cars at low hourly ($7-8) and daily($60-80) rate. Locations are shown on the map below. 36

BUDGET OVERVIEW

COST SUMMARY

SPEAKER COSTS Transportation Lodging Meals East Coast West Coast Friday Saturday Friday Dinner Saturday Breakfast Saturday Lunch Saturday Dinner Sunday Breakfast Costs Per Unit $100 $350 $100 $100 $25 $10 $10 $25 $10 Units 20 11 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 Total $2000 $3850 $3100 $3100 $775 $310 $310 $775 $310 Subtotal: $14,530

EVENT COSTS Brown Facilities Registration (Including Beverages) Opening Ceremony Classy Mixer (Including Food and Beverages) Career Fair Basketball Tournament (Equipment) Movie Screening Closing Ceremony Scavenger Hunt Workshops Museum After Dark RISD Art Workshop Providence Tour Kollaboration (Rhode Island Convention Center) Afterparty (Club Roxy Rental & Shuttles) Total $1303 $963 $350 $625 $100 $50 $845 $300 $8330 $2500 $100 $1000 $4200 $2000 Subtotal: $22,666

RISD Facilities External Venues

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ATTENDEES COSTS Lodging Friday Saturday Dorms (Friday and Saturday) Saturday Lunch Shirt Program Folder/Name Tag/ Misc. Costs Per Unit $120 $120 $0 $7 $6 $4 $4 Units 125 125 100 500 500 500 500 Total $12500 $12500 $0 $3500 $3000 $2000 $2000 Subtotal: $35,500

Meals Registration Packet

PUBLICITY COSTS Internet Facebook YouTube Myspace Website Posters/Banner Flyers Gas Other Costs (Food, Lodging) KoreAm Journal (Full-page Ad) Others Total $0 $0 $0 $100 $500 $200 $200 $600 $3000 $3000 Subtotal: $7,600 TOTAL COST: $80,296

Paper Media PR Campaign

Advertisement

COST BREAK DOWN DETAILS

1. All speaker, attendee, and publicity costs have been estimated with the exception of lodging where quotes have been obtained for the Radisson, Courtyard Providence, Marriott, and Biltmore, which roughly averages to a group rate of $100. 2. The events and logistics costs have been obtained with direct quotes from the school.

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BUDGET OVERVIEW

REVENUE SUMMARYREVENUE SUMMARY Registration Fees Total $10000 $30000 $21000 $2500 $5000 $500 $500 $2000 $500 $1000 $250 $2000 $10000 $3000 $500 $1500 $2500 $22000 Subtotal: $86,750 Early Registration: $100, 100 Attendees Regular Registration: $120, 250 Attendees Late Registration: $140, 150 Attendees Brown/RISD Attendees: $25, 100 Brown University Office of the President Office of Campus Life and Student Affairs Dean of College Alumni Association Watson Institute for International Studies Third World Center East Asian Studies Department Office of Continuing Education Undergraduate Finance Board Office of Student Life Local Sponsorship Restaurant Deals Program Advertisement Corporate Sponsorship HanYang University Miscellaneous

REVENUE BREAKDOWN DETAILS

1. Registration estimates will be appropriately adjusted once precedent attendance information is obtained from schools who have hosted in the past five years: Yale, Pepperdine, Penn, Emory, Rutgers 2. The departments marked with an asterisk (*) are not finalized values but estimates based on funding given to other conferences of similar length and scale. 3. Local sponsorship will primarily be derived from restaurants near Brown and RISD, which will have a vested interest in drawing customers during KASCON XXVI with the aid of our pamphlet advertisements. 4. Corporate sponsorship search has already begun with seeking contact points. Judging by the sponsorships from previous years, the majority of funds stem from Korean study abroad programs, Korean firms interested in recruiting Korean college students, and alumni of the host school.

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LETTER OF SUPPORT

PRESIDENTS OFFICE

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LETTER OF SUPPORT

STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE

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LETTER OF SUPPORT

THIRD WORLD CENTER

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LETTER OF SUPPORT

STUDENT PETITION Full Name Ross Geiger Brian Kundinger Hwajin Lee SangWon Sim Erica Kahn Catherine Bautista Jisun Kim Francisco Oliveira Janett Bass Jane Park Esther Kim HyunJin Yoon Hyun Jung Kim Charles Kim Victor Chang Wendy Suh Jennifer Lee Justina Lee Lan Mei Juhee Kwon Margaret Kim Stephanie Pak Michelle Ko Jesse Yoon Seon Yeong Park Nara Shin Haruko Hashimoto Richard Park Audrey Chang Christina Choi Jae Eun "Jane" Lee Flora Jin Krystii H. Kim Sarah Shin Jeremy Korn Leora Kava Denny Kim Ji Eun Kim Vanessa Flores-Maldonado Richard Park Class Year 2013 2014 2014 2015 2014 2014 2014 2013 2013 2015 2013 2015 2013 2012 2014 2013 2012 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012 2014 2014 2013 2013 2014 2015 2013 2015 2013 2014 2013 2014 2013 2012 2014 2015 2014 2015 Phone Number 925-876-8934 631-965-6351 401-440-3926 401-419-9449 973-951-2990 340-332-1858 201-757-3312 401-480-8384 401-580-7110 551-579-2610 917-293-3161 516-319-6909 302-668-9198 323-829-1308 763-300-7508 908-461-2250 9733031128 408-568-7688 347-401-0363 310-365-1369 917-327-9684 678-799-0805 213-507-9272 401 339 7259 909-241-2402 315-345-3294 917-843-5009 213-453-4555 6787990805 Email Address Ross_Geiger@brown.edu briankundinger@gmail.com Hwajin_Lee@brown.edu Sang_Won_Sim@brown.edu ekahn92@yahoo.com catherine_bautista@brown.edu jkim36@risd.edu foliveira13@yahoo.com Janett_Bass@brown.edu Jane_park@brown.edu esther_kim@brown.edu hyoon01@risd.edu Hyun_J_Kim@brown.edu charlesjwk@gmail.com victor_chang@brown.edu wendy_suh@brown.edu jlee01@risd.edu justina_lee@brown.edu lan_mei@brown.edu juhee_kwon@brown.edu margaret_kim@brown.edu stephanie_pak@brown.edu mko01@risd.edu jesse_yoon@brown.edu seon_yeong_park@brown.edu nara_shin@brown.edu haruko_hashimoto@brown.edu richard_park@brown.edu audrey_chang@brown.edu christina_choi@brown.edu jae-eun_lee@brown.edu flora_jin@brown.edu krystii.kim@gmail.com sarah_shin@brown.edu Jeremy_Korn@brown.edu leora_kava@brown.edu denny_kim@brown.edu jkim54@risd.edu vanessa_flores-maldonado@brown.edu richard_park@brown.edu

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LETTER OF SUPPORT

STUDENT PETITION Full Name Susie Ahn Eugene Hwang Yeon Seung Hong Jonathan Sit Joo Yeon Jung Daehyun Kim June Yoon Hwajin Lee Carol Kim Jhong Hyuck Lim Christine Choi Christine Moon Hannah Lee Richard Nguyen James Yoo Wonmin Lee Class Year 2013 2012 2012 2015 2014 2015 2012 2014 2015 2012 2013 2013 2014 2015 2015 2013 Phone Number 5109261692 781-888-8262 562-756-8661 401-489-5566 480-577-3694 631-965-6351 917-346-5779 401-523-9596 401-647-1277 201-694-4319 703-638-4396 718-309-7773 Email Address Susie_Ahn@brown.edu eugene_hwang@brown.edu yeon_seung_hong@brown.edu jonathan_sit@brown.edu joo_yeon_jung@brown.edu dae_hyun_kim@brown.edu juneyoon0713@yahoo.com Hwajin_Lee@brown.edu carol_kim@brown.edu jhong_hyuck_lim@brown.edu christine_choi@brown.edu christine_moon@brown.edu Hannah_lee@brown.edu Richard_Nguyen@brown.edu james_yoo@brown.edu 1min@brown.edu

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KOREANS @ BROWN

ORGANIZATIONS Brown University has two Korean student cultural groupsKASA and KISA, both of which have been around for more than ten years. Although both groups are distinct, they collaborate on a variety of events throughout the year and are largely intertwined. Indeed, the Brown KASCON Bid Committee features members from both groups.

KOREAN AMERICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (KASA)KASA is a minority-student run social and cultural organization intended to foster the understanding of Koreans and Korean Americans at Brown. KASA functions primarily as a catalyst for the strengthening of the Korean American community on campus. The other essential objective of KASA is to raise the awareness and understanding of the cultural and ethnic attributes that students of Korean heritage possess among all the members of Brown's rich ethnic tapestry.

KOREAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (KISA)KISA is the Korean culture and identity group at Brown. Their mission is to foster the Korean community at Brown and to introduce various issues regarding the Korean society and culture to the Brown community and beyond. Everyone is welcome KISA is open for both those who wish to celebrate their Korean identity and those who want to learn more about the Korean society and culture.

KOREAN ADOPTEE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (KAMP)

KAMP is devoted to providing adopted Korean children and teens in the New England area with an opportunity to learn about their identities as Korean Americans through relationships with mentors at Brown who have cultural and/or linguistic knowledge of Korea. The goal of these relationships is to teach the children about Korean culture and to introduce resources and social settings illuminating their cultural heritage.

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KOREANS @ BROWN

ORGANIZATIONS As members of the greater Brown community, we understand the significance and benefits of stimulating political discussion. Through documentary screenings and co-sponsored events with groups such as LiNK (Liberty in North Korea), KASA and KISA try to raise awareness about political questions relating to Korean and Korean-Americans. As 2010 marked one hundred years since Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910, the Brown Korean-America community co-hosted a panel discussing colonial history and examining their influences on nationalism, antagonism, and resolution. We also screened a documentary about the L.A. riots and held a discussion afterwards with Professor Daniel Kim of the English Department. Lt. Dan Choi has also come to campus to discuss LGBTQ issues.

HANSORIHansori, meaning a unified or great voice in Korean, is a student-run group where students with a deep enthusiasm for Korean culture can further explore through samulnori, a form of traditional percussion music. Not only does the group annually perform at the Korean Culture Show, but they also get invited throughout the year by other universities in the New England area to perform.

LIBERTY IN NORTH KOREA (LiNK)

As a chapter of the national NGO LiNK, the purpose of LiNK at Brown is to raise awareness of the North Korean human rights crisis on the Brown campus and the larger Brown community, and to raise money to make opportunities for North Korean refugees possible.

EAST ASIAN STUDIES DEPARTMENT

East Asian Studies is a multidisciplinary department, teaching and creating new knowledge about East Asian countries, and whose societies are based on the Confucian tradition. Its mission is to provide rigorous and varied exposure to East Asia through the teaching of three languages - Chinese, Japanese and Korean - and substantive courses on these cultures, both individually and in comparative contexts. Courses on cultural issues draw upon many disciplines, particularly the humanities and social sciences 46

KOREANS @ BROWN

EVENTS

GENERAL BODY (GB) MEETINGSKASA and KISA both hold bi-weekly general body (GB) meetings to gather as a group. Each meeting is never the same; a typical GB meeting could be discussing current events in Korea, eating (and cooking) delicious Korean food, or just hanging out with one another and playing games for a study break. GB meetings are a great way to get to know other members and to learn more about Korean culture.

FOOD & FILM FESTIVAL

KASA holds a free Food and Film Festival every year, in coordination with Asian-American History Month at Brown, in which they screen two current Korean films and offer delicious catered Korean food to the public. This past year's offerings included "Cyrano Agency and Seoul Train.

ALUMNI PANEL

Last year, KASA and KISA decided to hold their first annual alumni panel where former members of KASA and KISA were invited to come and speak to current students about jobs in their respective fields. Guests are various fields such as medicine, law, business and finance, and even fashion showed up to discuss their experience at Brown and how it prepared them for life in the job-world after. The event also serves as an excellent place where students can network and form valuable relationships with alumni.

CLUB PARTIES

Every semester, KASA and KISA host parties at clubs in downtown Providence such as Colosseum, Tantric, and Ultra. These frequently draw over 300 people from Brown, RISD, and JWU but also students from universities in the New England area. 47

KOREANS @ BROWN

EVENTS

CULTURE SHOW

For the past 5 years, KASA, KISA and RISD KSA have held an annual Korean Culture Show in the spring, featuring dance and music performances, video clips, and even fashion shows to inform the Brown and RISD community about Korean culture. In addition to showcasing student talent from Brown and RISD, the Culture Show also presents student groups from other universities. An extremely rewarding and fun experience, the show draws a large crowd each year with students from all over the Northeast including Wellesley, Boston University, Boston College, Yale, Harvard, and Penn.

WINTER FORMAL

Every winter, KISA hosts a winter formal to celebrate the end of the fall semester. With great food, performances by the freshmen, and fun games, the winter formal is always a wonderful time to dress up and enjoy time with fellow group members. 48

KOREANS @ RISD

KSA EVENTS

KOREAN STUDENTS ALLIANCE (KSA)KSA is a student group at RISD that seeks to accomplish goals similar to those of both Brown KASA and Brown KISA. Furthermore, its missions are to unite the uniquely large population of Koreans that attend RISD and to allow students to network with Korean alumni and with each other as well. As most Koreans at RISD are from Korea, KSA also serves to guide these international students in the foreign environment.

CLUB PARTIESLike Brown KASA and KISA, RISD KSA host parties at clubs in downtown Providence. Past parties, such as R U FRESH, brought together college students from all over Providence to provide the type of fun and entertainment distinct to Koreans. They also hosted a party in Seoul, Korea named The LOL (Laugh Out Loud) Party, allowing RISD Korean students to stay connected to each other and for prospective students to get to know RISD students.

KOREAN CUISINE EVENTS

To promote Korean culture and to inform the general student body of RISD about it, KSA held events like Korean Barbecue and Street Food to give out free food like rice, kimchi, kalbi, bulgogi, japchae, chocopie, and shikhae. Along with delicious food, KSA also showcased Korean music videos and Korean movies that best represent Koreas strengths and magnificence. DJs were hired to mix music to provide further excitement and create a more enjoyable environment.

LECTURES FOR FRESHMENS MAJOR DECLARATIONS

RISD students have a hard time in declaring their majors, not only because they have insufficient information, but also because they have no connections to upperclassmen to ask for advice. Therefore, this year KSA created an opportunity for Korean and Korean American students at RISD to learn more about major declarations. KSA invited upperclassmen to talk about their majors, their processes in decision-making, and their experiences in their specific department. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions to the upperclassmen afterwards. 49

T-SHIRT DESIGN

PROPOSAL

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PERSONAL STATEMENT

MARGARET KIM 13 When I was living in Korea more than ten years ago as a young girl, my parents had called one of our family friends living overseas in America a kyopo. At the time, the word did not mean anything to me. My parents had told me I was born in the United States, and I was technically a kyopo for one year. However, I could only remember the life I had in Korea. I could not feel any connection to my birthplace other than a birth certificate. I was Korean, not a kyopo. Later, by coincidence, the word kyopo was brought up again. This time, kyopo was not just two syllables in a conversation. She was a fourth grade Korean-American girl from the United States, who was visiting Korea for a month. My classmates and I were excited about this newcomer. Asking her about America satisfied our curiosity and augmented our fascination with America. Listening to her read English and say random English sentences with an authentic American accent made English class all the more fun and cool. In retrospect, she was not a peer student but the object of amazement and wonder. Even during my interactions with her, I was still merely one of the Korean kids looking at America from the outside through this girl. However, that changed when I moved to the United States that same year. Now that I was the kyopo, I was on the inside. Living the American experience was different from hearing about it. My first day of school, I felt alone. In Korea, I never had to ride a school bus to get to school, I simply walked. Yet here in America, I had to wait for a school bus to show up and get on it. When homeroom started, I was sitting at a cluster of desks with three other girls. None of them were Korean, or even Asian. I wanted to make friends but since I did not know English well. I had no way of introducing or expressing myself I was mute. Throughout the day, the teacher would give instructions to our class, but I would not understand. The school also had rules and customs that I never had to follow in Korea, such as asking for the bathroom pass to go to the bathroom and going to a cafeteria rather than staying in homeroom to eat. I ended up spying on other students and copying them. Back in Korea, I was one of the smartest kids in my class, but in America, I had to rely on other kids because of the language and cultural barrier. It was humiliating. I missed Korea, and I wanted to go back. In that first year as a kyopo, I had to quickly adapt to the new culture. I became used to seeing people with blonde, brown, and red hair; I learned English through an ESL class; I made friends with non- Koreans; I trained myself to say Bless you automatically. I tried hard to fit in with the rest of my peers, and my efforts paid off: I developed my own American identity. However, as the American identity took hold of my life, a part of my Korean-ness was lost. The more English words I learned, the less Korean words I recalled. It became more difficult to picture my old neighborhood in Korea, to 51

remember what it felt like to live there. The Star-Spangled Banner replaced the Korean national anthem. This was my inevitable transformation from a Korean to a Korean American. While I had not realized this metamorphosis occurring, I was made to see the end result of the changes and accept my identity as a Korean American. This ultimate moment of truth occurred when I went back to visit Korea for the first time in eight years. The trip was a graduation present from my parents. I had no real expectations other than to feel back at home. But during my first few days back in Korea, I realized I did not belong in Korea anymore. When I was watching Korean news with my grandparents, I could not understand half of the words that were spoken. While conversing with relatives in Korean, each sentence felt awkward and wrong. And walking around in the city of Seoul, my not-so-skinny body and my American clothes made me stick out like a sore thumb. I had finally returned to Korea among the mass of black-haired Koreans. But I came back as a Korean American - a kyopo. So now that I have noted my transformation, how do I feel about being Korean American? I cannot say that I have absolutely no problem with it. For instance, I do not truly have a country to call my home. I call America home but only because my parents and my siblings are here in America with me. I speak both English and Korean but I feel that I lack proficient literacy skills in both languages. Despite these problems, I am still very much grateful to my parents who moved our family to America and thus began my journey of being a Korean American. I never felt utterly unhappy or ashamed of being a Korean American because I had the best of both worlds: discipline and awesome food from Korea, and freedom and good education from America. There are different kinds of kyopo: the 1st generation, the 2nd generation, and the in-between, the 1.5 generation. I am a 1.5 generation Korean American. I embody two different cultures and am bi-lingual to an extent. My story about my identity struggle is only one of many stories of the 1.5 generation Korean Americans. There are also many stories to be shared by the 1st generation and the 2nd generation Korean Americans. When KASCON was first held in 1987, I believe one of its purposes was for Korean American students to come together and celebrate the stories of Korean Americans. For KASCON 26, I want to be the one to help organize such celebration. After all, all of us have experienced ethnic and cultural estrangement in one way or another. All of us have stressed out about thriving in the American society as a member. And all of us have struggled to keep our Korean heritage alive. We all should be able to contribute because through these stories, we can become confident in our own Korean American identities, our past and future as Korean Americans, and the success of our growing Korean American society. As a member of the Brown University KASCON bidding committee, I will be more than dedicated and responsible to making sure all attendees can share their stories, whether through speech or through discussion with peers. I will put my time, my thoughts, and my heart into making the next KASCON a success because I want to share my story not only with you but also with the attendees of KASCON 26 as a fellow Korean American, as a kyopo. 52

PERSONAL STATEMENT

JUHEE KWON 14 I am currently going through the American citizenship process. After the visa and Green Card, a citizenship seemed like the natural next step. However, in the process of filing my N-400 forms, there was a sudden sense of hesitation and reluctance. The process was not just another form of federal documentation, but rather a conscious self-assertion of my identity. This oath of allegiance required me to decide between my Korean and American identities - to choose one side and forsake the other. But I am a Korean American. I have undying love for my Korean motherland, a place where I can always return to; I respect the American land of opportunities that taught me how to throw a baseball and grill a steak medium well-done. With roots in both countries, I constantly battle with the inconsistencies between my ethnic category and personal identity. We Korean Americans are cross-cultural identities living in a binary world, and I believe the conscious identification of ourselves as Korean American is the beginning of engaging in and advancing our community. This bold declaration of our identities is one of the focuses of Brown Universitys Korean American Student Conference (KASCON). For many years, KASCON has worked to foster a supportive environment, solidifying individual Korean American identities and providing network for these students. We have heard from numerous successful Korean Americans about their success stories. The dangers of this type of approach lies in complacency and the inability to actively move towards change, because often it requires that we step out from the enclave of our safe community into an area of discomfort. I believe change should start at the base from within the Korean American community. KASCON should be a place of inspiration and empowerment for its participants, instilling them with a sense of awareness and need for change. I have been actively involved in Asian American activist groups and have always come up against a barrier of resistance for change. As a member of the Asian American Students Caucus for Change (AASCC) at Brown, I have presented the demands of the Asian American community to the University, calling for the establishment of an Asian American Studies Department, cross-listing of courses, and more Asian American professors teaching Asian American history and culture. Unfortunately, the students supporting this petition remains small many are not interested in addressing these issues, and others merely disregard the importance of Asian American Studies in the scope of their American education. As the co-chair for the KASCON bidding committee, I have worked to shape our conference around this particular issue. The result is the theme, BREAK!, a loud, declaratory title to the conference that encompasses challenges of the present and a bold move towards the future. 53

We hope to present a changed KASCON with more interactive and personal workshops. As a Minority Peer Counselor Friend, I have helped facilitate a pre-orientation program for students of color at Brown, often addressing controversial issues such as racism, sexism, and homophobia. The programs workshops were incredibly effective and inspirational; I hope to model KASCONs workshops in a similar way to facilitate discussion rather than lecture, and self-realization rather than bombardment of facts. In the end, I hope KASCON helps participants not only discover how their individual narratives fit into the larger Korean American story, but also move together as a community to more clearly establish the Korean American identity within the American society. So that when I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, I am looking on a society that does not force my identity to fit into the simple binaries of being either Korean or American and can accept me as who I am.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT

AUDREY CHANG 13 A clear indication of true assimilation into a culture is whether you can comfortably speak and think in that cultures language. A large part of being Korean American is conversing fluently in both English and Korean; everyone, including Koreans, assumes and expects it. All the times my Caucasian friends have asked me to teach them curse words in Korean, and all the lectures I have received from older Koreans to honor my heritage can attest to this. But for all of my life, Ive had trouble living up to this expectation of being a Korean American. While many of my Korean American friends can jump between languages instantly, I have difficulty trying to speak and think in Korean, even with more than enough exposure to the language during my time living in Long Island and New Jersey. I can read it, write it, and recognize it in a crowded room, but I cant seem to hold a basic conversation without pausing and stumbling over phrases. My other Korean American friends spoke Korean because it was their first language or out of necessity to communicate with their parents. I never needed to speak Korean at home. Both of my parents moved to the U.S. with their families during their teenage years. They attended college in the States, listened to the Beatles, and were fans of Audrey Hepburn (hence my first name). With parents who are assimilated into American culture, I never needed to claim my Korean identity. I was perfectly fine not speaking Korean, not socializing with other Koreans at hakwons and not hanging out in Flushing, because being Korean felt like an unnecessary complication more than an important part of my life and a privilege. My perspective changed in my senior year of high school, when I went to Gambia for a short-term medical volunteer trip. In this tiny, remote country in Western Africa, a Korean American missionary and his family welcomed us into their home, feeding us their homemade kimchi and treating our group like long-lost family members. Despite battling with my Korean-ness, having that side of me turned out to be extremely comforting in a country that seemed like completely different world. Traveling outside of the Long Island bubble gave me a perspective of how thankful I should be to be a part of the Korean American community. Here at Brown, all the people Ive met in the Korean American Students Association (KASA) have such different backgrounds that its impossible for me to feel like the odd one out. In such a diverse environment, I can feel my Korean voice becoming stronger and more confident. I no longer feel like a fake or poser Korean. I have come to realize that Korean Americans like me who may feel a weaker connection to Koreans or have communication barriers still need to be active in the Korean American community, because it is an undeniable part of our identity. 55

Until college, I thought being Korean American required fitting a prescribed description of the term. I want KASCON 26 to be an opportunity for Korean Americans to challenge what this label really means by breaking out of the conventions that we so comfortably follow. Brown and RISDs proposed KASCON 26 is a forum with a focus on creation and innovation, as individuals and as a community with shared experiences. The Brown and RISD KASCON Bidding Team envisions a conference that will reflect the academic environment of collaboration, personal expression, progress, empowerment, and individuality that is fostered at our schools. The conference will encourage the development of our community into bold leaders and innovators, who not only communicate and support each other but also create a resounding impact outside of the community - together. We are dedicated to make the next KASCON a starting point of exploring new paths and aspirations.

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PERSONAL STATEMENT

SUNG HYUN CHO 13 I am not a very adventurous person. I never liked trying new things, being in new places, meeting new people, or simply being different. I would rather stick to familiar routines and blend in with the crowd. When I was uncomfortable or put in unfamiliar situations, my top priority was to become invisible. However, I have come to realize that the discomfort has shaped my identity. By interacting with unaccustomed surroundings and challenging myself to adjust, I was able to re-define my identity as a person and as a Korean living in America. Growing up, I was constantly thrown into new environments. At five-month old, I moved from Korea to Fort Lee, New Jersey with my family for five years. Although I was too young to remember, my mom told me that I would cry frantically every time she tried to leave me at pre-kindergarten. When I was finally able to follow simple directions such as jacket away and sit down, we moved again. Moving to Seoul took away everything that I was used to. Big Bird and Barney were no longer on television, and everything was different. I moved once again to Houston, Texas. As a sixth grader, I became more aware of the fact that I was an oddball -- an outsider and a foreigner at school. I could not laugh with other students because sometimes I did not understand their humor. Language became the biggest barrier for me in adjusting middle school, and even language aside, I simply looked, thought, and sounded different. I tried so hard to fit in. I told my Korean friends at school, We shouldnt speak Korean at school. Lets speak only English. I tried to watch what American kids would watch on television and absorb everything American. When I had to move back to Korea after four years, I realized that I was not like other kids at school. I was like a fish out of the water. I had a different mentality, attitude, and ambiance. I was more familiar with the Declaration of Independence and Abraham Lincoln than the Korean Independence Movement of 1919 and Empress Myeongseong. I knew I was Korean, but my knowledge, looks, and mentality were telling me otherwise. Where did I belong? Then I attended college in Seoul, where I immersed myself in Korean culture. I no longer had an awkward Americanized-Korean accent, and English was only used in class when I had to talk to non- Korean professors or make presentations in English. I enjoyed Korean soap operas, listened to Korean pop stars music, and followed gossip on Korean stars. However, I could still tell that I was different from students who had never lived abroad -- but the again, I was not completely American. When I transferred to Brown University, my comfort zone was once again sh