What is RPIRG?

 

Citizen Involvement is Everyone’s Responsibility

The PIRG tradition was formed in the 1970s by political activist Ralph Nader as a resource and platform for students passionate about social justice in their community.  A PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) is a membership-based group, usually centered on the local campus, whose student and community volunteers work to expose and confront systemic injustices that have been overlooked or ignored by governing bodies.  PIRGs believe that the health of a democracy is measured by the level of participation of its citizens; therefore, the University of Regina PIRG (RPIRG) aims to provide tangible resources and training to equip Regina’s next generation to be keepers of their community, defenders of the transparent democratic process, and protectors of society’s vulnerable members.

Because PIRGs are student-run, aside from the focus on social justice, each one is unique.  RPIRG’s individual identity will be determined by the priorities set by our members here at the University of Regina.  Having students at the helm of RPIRG will guarantee that the direction will remain squarely in the hands of its student members, which guarantees that our funding will be directed to the projects that most accurately reflect student and public interest.  Whether you are committed to protecting Saskatchewan from corporate interest, researching injustices directed towards the Aboriginal community, promoting an alternative to the neo-liberal economy, exposing government fraud, or educating people about living without chemicals, we are the place for you.  Talk to someone at RPIRG today about your vision for our community and let us know how we can help you.

RPIRG Membership

RPIRG is entirely funded and directed by the students at the University. In March of 2007 students voted in a campus-wide referendum to establish a new fee to the "URSU Related Fees"at the University of Regina. This fee is the membership fee for RPIRG. If you pay fees at the UofR, and haven't opted out of the RPIRG fee during the designated opt-out period, then you are a voting member of RPIRG. This membership gives you the right to run for the Board of Directors, apply for funding, and vote at General Meetings; the control of this organization is in the hands of the students.

 

Board of Directors

The RPIRG Board of Directors is composed of 8 Student Members of RPIRG.  The Board is the decision-making body of RPIRG, who make all major decisions regarding finances, long-term goals, long term viability of the organization, staffing, and funding applications.  Every year, students will be able to vote for their Board of Directors, with the very first campus-wide election to take place in December of 2007, with the next election to take place in March of 2008!  All Student Members of RPIRG who are in good standing will be able to run for a seat on the RPIRG Board of Directors.

Meet our Board and Staff!

Charlotte Morrissette: PR and Outreach Coordinator

Nikko Snyder: Administrative Coordinator

Clint Fox: Board Member

Ahmed al Sabaawi: Board Member

Laurie Langhorne: Board member

Shaheen Lotun: Board Member

Travis Maxie: Board Member

Missing: Chareen Claude

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Opt Out

Every full time and part time student at the UofR pays a $5.00 fee that goes to RPIRG, and every student has the option of opting out of paying this fee, should the student wish so. RPIRG is the only campus organization that will offer you the chance to get your fee back. It is your money, and it is your right to decide who has access to it. Every Semester, RPIRG will have a dedicated fee opt-out period which enables you to fill out the appropriate application and bring it to the RPIRG office to get your money back. This opt-out period will normally take place beginning on the third week of each Fall and Winter semester, and will carry on for approximately three weeks. Find the opt-out form here.

 

Volunteer!

Volunteering in your community is part of an education at the UofR that is often overlooked, and always under-emphasised.   Becoming involved with the work that RPIRG does on and off of campus benefits every party involved; the community, the organization, and the volunteer gain considerable energy and legitimacy because of your volunteer contribution.  

RPIRG wants to be able to offer more that just monetary support to motivated people who come to RPIRG for assistance.  Being able to offer volunteers to people who wish to hold an event such as a conference is far more beneficial to an organizer than money can ever hope to be. 

If you want to offer your help, at a time frame and schedule of your choice, be sure to get in touch with us:  volunteer@rpirg.org 

 

• Dec 19th - RPIRG launches new website!

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Contact

Phone: (306) 337-2420
Email: info@rpirg.org

Regina Public Interest
Research Group
c/o University of Regina Students' Union
221 Dr. William Riddell Centre (UofR)
Regina, Sk.
S4S 0A2