Unpredictable bursts of rain yesterday did not stop about 20 students from rallying in front of Old Main to "Save the Asian American Studies class."

Jason Yu, president of the Asian Pacific American Caucus, said the class, Sociology 197A (Introduction to Asian American Studies), is being offered this semester for the first time.

However, the class is not being offered next fall. He said it was called an experimental class by the administration.

"The problem is that even though they're offering it now," he said, "they're not offering it next year, and there's a huge demand for it."

Yu said he and other students are working together to raise awareness for the class, Asian Americans and their stories.

He said the administration might offer the class next spring, but it's not on the schedule of courses, so they don't know yet.

"It's very important because there's a lot of things in the history that are not taught anywhere else," Yu said.

Bao-Ming Li, who teaches the class this semester, said this is the first time she has ever met students who are so engaged and interested in learning about the history of Asian Americans.

She said that students react with surprise when they learn things in the class, because not all the information they learn was included in history books.

"This class is good for the university's development and the students' development," she said.

She said there are 22 students in the class, and she's impressed by their involvement and participation.

Tiffany Yuh (freshman-advertising/ public relations) is currently enrolled in the course.

"The class is important because not many people know about Asian history or the racism in Asian history," she said.

Camilla Chung, a 2005 graduate, said there was an original collaboration of people from other universities to get the class implemented for this spring.

"We were one of the last schools as a Big Ten school and a model school to implement this course," she said.

She said the administration had promised to continue the class for consecutive semesters if it proved to be successful.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon could not comment on the class, and Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig was not available for comment.

Students in the class wish other students at Penn State would have the opportunity to take this class, Chung said.

Yu said they're trying to show the administration that there is a massive outcry for the class at Penn State.

"As a student in the class, I don't understand why it wouldn't be offered in the fall," Kei Wong (junior-premedicine) said.

"If it's not offered in the fall, students won't know about it for the spring," Wong added.