The Rice Bowl, an organization to build relationships among Asian and Asian American students on Eastern’s campus, had its first meeting Sept. 12.

Rice Bowl founder and president Krishna Ignalaga, a sophomore political science major, noted the low population of Asian and Asian Americans as the reason for the organization.

“There is a really low percentage of Asians and Asian Americans that attend Eastern, and for the students that do there isn’t an organization for them to get to know each other,” Ignalaga said.

Ignalaga is an international student born in the Philippines and raised in the Middle East where there is a strong Asian community.

“Coming from that environment to Eastern was a bit of a culture shock. There isn’t an Asian community that I was used to,” Ignalaga said.

For the next meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, a pot-luck meal is planned where everyone brings one dish, preferably of Asian origin.

Currently the group has about 10 to 15 members and is looking to recruit more.

To become a member of the group you do not have to be of Asian decent. People of all races and cultures are welcome to join.

The Rice Bowl, which is not the group’s permanent name, is aiming to have their meetings on Thursday evenings. The meeting place has not been established yet, but flyers will be posted to inform students.

“Asians and Asian Americans should join to meet other people and to know that they are not alone here,” Iganalaga said.

For more information about becoming a member of The Rice Bowl, contact Ignalaga at 581-2165.