VANDERBILT SACE
Outreach + Advocacy Initiatives
Our outreach chairs work to provide for the South Asian community on and outside our Vanderbilt Campus. Vanderbilt SARRA, or the South Asian Rural and Resettlement Aid, was created by our two Outreach chairs to provide South Asian refugees with English education and childcare for their children. Our Advocacy chair hosts monthly SACE speaks events, where students can engage in issues surrounding the South Asian community. Below are some of the initiatives we have to educate and give back to the community.
01
Vanderbilt SARRA
SARRA, or the South Asian Rural and Resettlement Aid, are a group that volunteers with the Tennessee Resettlement Aid to hold biweekly conversation hours with Afghani refugee women in Nashville to help improve their English skills and help provide them with the tools necessary to succeed here in the US. If you are interested in joining, contact Gayatri Aluri or Min Kalasikam.
02
APIDAM Celebrations
APIDAM stands for Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi Americans Month. SACE, alongside other cultural organizations which represent these groups of campus, plans events to celebrate these cultures. Some events include a mixer with the Asian American Students Association, a Taste of Asia event, and working with Vanderbilt Dining to provide Asian cuisines.
03
SACE Speaks
SACE Speaks are monthly discussion hours hosted by our Advocacy chairs, Ojas Bhagra and Lyla Kiana. Topics range from Greek Life From a South Asian Perspective, South Asian Beauty Standards, and South Asian Perspectives on Mental Health. Our discussion hours can have student panels to hear student perspectives, a moderator well-versed in the topic, and a Q&A segment to further facilitate discussion. If you have a topic that you would like discussed or you would like to serve on a panel for a future SACE speaks, contact Ojas and Lyla.
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04
SACEx
SACEx is our newest outreach initiative and our first reading group. During the Fall 2022 semester, SACEx facilitated monthly reading group sessions with discussions centered around the caste system and its effects on South Asian Americans. If you are interested in attending a session, check out our Anchorlink page!
05
DEI Advisory Board
The DEI Advisory Board was started last year and is returning as an Advocacy Initiative. It serves as an opportunity for South Asian students to offer their perspective and advice for better incorporating the diaspora into programming.