"As the number of Asian students was small, there was a real sense of unity," says AAA Co-president Jennifer Ching '96.

Soon, the group took on a social role as well.

"Because it encompassed everybody, it became a social powerhouse," Cho says. "Token membership grew, and all Asian-Americans could agree on and participate in AAA as a social and cultural outlet."

As the Asian-American population became more diverse, different ethnic segments clamored for more representation within AAA, causing friction between some sister groups.

AAA's leaders are now focusing on being more open to all Asian-Americans.

But many students think it is no longer an issue that needs attention.

"Before, a lot of people were unhappy with AAA, and that has changed a lot now," says Jean M. Ou '95, CSA co-president. "Now, the smaller groups are able to have more of an identity of their own, growing and maturing, and finding their own niche."

Sister organizations targeted at specific ethnic groups, like CSA, KSA and the south Asian Association (SAA), have grown in the last few years, students say.

For instance, leaders estimate that CSA now includes 200 members, 75 of them active. SAA has more than 200 people on its mailing list, and between 40 and 50 people attend the group's weekly meetings, says co-president Anurima Bhargava '96.

Cho says just 100 people voted in AAA's presidential election last year, though the organization's social events often still draw hundreds of students.

"Within the last five years, CSA, KSA, and SAA have grown so large in numbers and resources, that they have enough members and funds to sponsor their own events and activities," says former SAA president Pankaj Tiwari '95, who was last year's publicity chair for AAA. "People would rather put the time and energy into their own ethnic group."

And as the sister groups' member ships have burgeoned, they have supplanted some of AAA's former roles.

Abbas A. Hyderi '95-'96, SAA's liaison to the Boston area and former AAA social fundraising chair, says he feels that South Asians no longer feel they need representation in AAA.

"There's less friction than in past years," Hyderi says. "It doesn't bother most South Asians that AAA doesn't touch on South Asian issues, because they're easier to address in SAA."

In fact, some Asian-American group leaders say they are more likely to work with sister groups other than AAA in organizing larger events. Ou defines the relationship between CSA and AAA as a business one, but says there is little overlapping of interests.