![Newspaper clipping from February 25, 1970 in the Daily Barometer showing an article written by Bob Allen, past Barometer Editor. This article was written to spotlight both the student body’s lack of participation with student government at the time in conjunction with their class representatives response. [It’s important to note ASOSU was not structured identically to today’s standards, likely having a president on behalf of each class work together as one entity as opposed to one president representing all classes.]](https://dailybaro.orangemedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-12-1.00.42-PM-e1741811160853.png)
On April 19, the Oregon State Cambodian Student Association will host their 15th annual Khmer night, which will feature food, cultural representation and related performances.
The event will take place in the Memorial Union Ballroom, with doors opening at 5 p.m. OSU students can purchase tickets for $5, and general public guests can for $7. The event officially begins at 6:15 p.m., and food will start being served at 5:30 p.m.
The Khmer people and culture are a native ethnic group in Cambodia, comprising the majority of the population as well as the official language of the nation. The group practices the “syncretism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism,” according to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia.
CSA at OSU is partnered with the broader Cambodian American Community of Oregon, a registered non-profit in Oregon that supports the preservation of the Khmer language, Cambodian arts and culture, and history through community empowerment and volunteer-based organizing.
The group and OSU partner club organize and unite Cambodian-Americans and friends of the community in Oregon and southwestern Washington.
Khmer Night is advertised as CSA’s biggest campus event of each year, and they rely on DamProud sponsors and funding to support their club.
The event will include funny skits, cultural food and performances to highlight Khmer culture.
“This event promises to be an exciting and enriching experience for families, friends and the community! We will be showcasing Cambodian culture through food, fashion, traditional and non-traditional dance performances and skits that tell the stories of the Cambodian experience,” the club said in a statement for Dam Proud Day.
The event will be run by volunteers, the signups for which are still open and can be found here. Help is needed backstage and with the skits, with food and in the kitchen, decorating, a group dance and people to create the main dishes. Interested individuals can also sign up for food serving spots to be on the floor at the event for a short time window.
Organizers note that volunteers must also have a ticket to have a seat at the event, and tickets are for purchase available now, online at OSU Student Experiences and Engagement ticket office.
