Elizabeth OuYang, the President of the Organization of Chinese Americas (New York Chapter), spoke at Harvard Law School on the death of Private Danny Chen. Ms. OuYang and OCA-NY, through their work in the case, are also advocates for anti-hazing measures to be adopted by the U.S. military.

The first APALSA General Meeting was a huge success attended by more than 100 students. It started off with inspirational speech made by faculty advisors of APALSA, Professor Jeannie Suk and Professor Mark Wu, emphasizing the importance of building strong APA community in both legal industry and society at large and APALSA’s contribution in that regard. Each of the board members and the board’s vision, goals for this year as well as upcoming events were introduced to the general membership. The attendees could enjoy an opportunity to network with faculty advisors, board members, and other members of APALSA, over delicious dinner. The event was especially meaningful as it was well attended not only by incoming students but also by upperclassmen, showing the role of community APALSA plays at HLS.

APALSA hosts an annual study tips panel featuring 2L/3L panelists from APALSA and other diversity organizations to discuss what kind of study methods have worked for them.  This year, panelists were drawn from APALSA, La Alianza, Lambda, SALSA, and the firm of Latham & Watkins, which was also the title sponsor of the event.

This year’s Annual Diversity Retreat was held at the beautiful Red Jacket Beach Resort in Cape Cod. Members gathered at Wasserstein for a light breakfast before heading to the Cape together. Once there, the group enjoyed an oceanside lunch buffet. Afterwards, members bonded by playing football and volleyball while others swam in the ocean or enjoyed the resort hot tub. Other members walked along the beach and played board games. A good time was had by all.

Key Sign Ups (deadline is Saturday 9/22 at midnight)

1L SIB Fam Sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG1WUFp4YUhPVGwxbXI5TEVtTnkwdnc6MQ#gid=0 by

1L Mailing List and Section Rep sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGJTN05iSXM1ZnBHZzVzLTJ6T3RiOHc6MQ#gid=0

2L/3L Sib Fam Sign Up:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFN3VElSRUhVYUFKTzFnY2Z6cHYzd1E6MA#gid=0

Letter to 1Ls:

Dear 1Ls,

My name is Vivian Ban and I am the Membership Chair of the Asian Pacific American Law Students
Association (APALSA). On behalf of APALSA, I want to welcome you to Harvard Law School! I hope
your first few weeks have been going well so far.

For those of you who have not yet met us, APALSA is an organization that strives to increase awareness
and understanding of Asian Pacific American issues and to help give students opportunities to get to
better know the law school, each other, and the community. This year, APALSA will host numerous
professional, political, and social activities, including a study tips panel, boat cruise, and the National
Asian Pacific American Conference on Law and Public Policy at Harvard. If you would like to be
included in APALSA’s mailing list to receive e-mails on upcoming events, meetings, and minority
job and scholarship opportunities, please sign up at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?
formkey=dGJTN05iSXM1ZnBHZzVzLTJ6T3RiOHc6MQ#gid=0.

In addition, APALSA organizes unique mentoring and social groups consisting of 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls
called “sib families.” Sib families are great opportunities for 1Ls to meet students from other sections and
years and to widen their network at Harvard. Additionally, sib families are a chance for 1Ls to get support
and advice from other students as the groups will be organized based on similar interests or experiences.
If you are interested in becoming part of a sib family, please fill out the survey at https://docs.google.com/
spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG1WUFp4YUhPVGwxbXI5TEVtTnkwdnc6MQ#gid=0 by Friday,
September 21.

Finally, APALSA is looking for students from each section to be 1L Section Representatives for this
year. As Section Representatives, you will help organize and publicize APALSA events, give feedback to
the board on issues affecting 1Ls, and submit ideas on how better we can serve the Harvard community.
Section Representatives are a great way for students to have leadership positions their first year and to
become familiar with the APALSA board and its duties. Many of the current APALSA board members
were 1L Section Representatives their first year and benefited from that experience during their job search
and interviewing process. If you are interested in becoming a 1L Section Representative, please indicate
that interest using the link above to the sign-up page for the APALSA mailing list. Sign-ups for the 1L
Section Representatives will end Friday, September 21. You may still sign up for the APALSA mailing
list after that time.

APALSA’s first general meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 25 from 7-9 pm in the
Harkness South Dining Room. This will be a chance for you to meet the APALSA board as well as
other 2Ls and 3Ls. We will also have sign-ups for APALSA committees that will be in charge of handling
the group’s various events and operations. Dinner will be served.

In the meantime, feel free to view our website at http://www3.law.harvard.edu/orgs/apalsa/1l-welcome/
and let us know if you have any questions about APALSA. Remember to sign up for sib families or to
become a 1L Section Representative by Friday, September 21. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Best,

Vivian Ban
2012-2013 APALSA Membership Chair
vban@jd14.law.harvard.edu

APALSA’S ANNUAL DIVERSITY RETREAT – 9/30
Come join us for a day of bonding with new and old APALSA members at the beautiful Red Jacket Beach Resort in Cape Cod. We will have access to a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, as well as our own beach-side bar!

When: Sunday, September 30, 2012, 9-6pm
Where: Red Jacket Beach Resort
Cost: $25
Transportation, breakfast, and a delicious lunch buffet will be provided.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by signing up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dDNteVRMZGduRGY5N3ZyNjFZWHZ1Y0E6MQ