Members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association discussed combating increased discrimination against Asians because of the pandemic, as well as raising awareness of the association. 

The group is trying to hold more meetings, but they have found it difficult to do because of the pandemic, said Laura Lavine, WSU professor of entomology, during an association meeting on Friday. 

Making people aware of the meetings is an issue, Lavine said. Association members are trying to send out electronic flyers and use their social media page to inform people of key community events. 

Asians are experiencing increased hostility from others because of the pandemic at a national level, said Raymond Sun, WSU associate professor of history.

Sun said he is concerned about the hostility and is aware this discrimination has been going on. 

WSU leaders have issued statements against discriminatory behavior. Sun said he is interested in hearing the university’s plan to combat these behaviors.

Academic adviser Sisouvanh Keopanapay said she has dealt with microaggressions surrounding COVID-19. She said it was very unsettling for her and makes her concerned.

Keopanapay said she attended free trainings from Hollaback where she learned about conflict de-escalation and bystander intervention. 

The association is raising money for faculty and staff enhancements grants. There will be a vote to make it available in the spring, she said. 

Lavine said she would like to have multiple allocation sources so there is more flexibility in how the money is being used. 

Faculty members tend to get more professional development funding than staff members, she said. The funding is used for training and workshops. 

Lavine said it would be exciting to have a professional development enhancement grant for faculty members. 

The association’s public relations cabinet position is currently empty, she said. They are looking for someone to fill that role.