The Asian-American Student Association (AASA) House, one of three cultural houses on the Trinity College campus, primarily supports students of Asian descent, but also serves as a welcoming space for the entire student body to enjoy intellectually stimulating and educational gatherings and discussions.

View of the AASA House from Vernon Street. Photo credit: Trinity College

The AASA House is located at 65 Vernon Street and has been home to the Asian-American Student Association since 2000. The creation of the house was part of an initiative by the College to expand the social corridor on Vernon Street for minority groups on campus who have historically been on the margins of society.

As a campus resource, the AASA House has been used by many clubs and organizations, including the Multicultural Affairs Council (MAC), Encouraging Respect for All Sexualities (EROS), Trinity Hillel, Trinity College Black Women's Organization (TCBWO), Hawaiian Club, and Promoting Inclusion and Diversity (P.R.I.D.E.). Through the AASA House, Trinity students are also able to develop a sense of belonging to Hartford's community. Events such as Trinity's “Halloween on Vernon” allow cultural houses and other campus groups to open their doors to the neighborhoods surrounding the College.

Among the group's efforts to introduce the student body to Asian cultures are events aimed at promoting Asian/Asian-American perspectives, including the Lunar New Year celebration. It also serves as an instrumental component in welcoming and serving international students by providing a home-like environment on campus for those who have ventured thousands of miles away from their actual homes.

Asian-American Student Association House: Raising Cultural Awareness across Campus

Trinity Tripod, 09/26/2000.

Trinity Tripod, 10/06/1998.