Archief - Carleton University Ontario Public Interest Group fonds

The Public Research Interest Group (PIRG) originated with Ralph Nader, an American consumer activist. He believed that students, as citizens, should develop an understanding of society's problems and work towards a solution. PIRG's are designed to act as a bridge between the university and the community. And the overall object of PIRG's is for students to take their experience, knowledge and energy, along with the university's resources into of the community, for the benefit of the community. In Canada, PIRG's developed in Ontario Universities, to become the Ontario Public Research Group (OPIRG) and are completely independent from the over 200 American PIRG's. The University of Waterloo was the first campus to organize an OPIRG, in 1973. OPIRG came to Carleton University during the 1979-1980 school year, with the speaking engagement of Ralph Nader. OPIRG operated through the rest of the 1979-1980 school year and during the 1980-1981 year, as a club with a funding base provided by Carleton University Students Association (CUSA). Students, faculty and staff were approached to build a base for more substantial and permanent source of funding to be established. In April 1981, a student referendum was held, which approved of an automatic, refundable check-off of $3.50 from each full-time student and $0.70 (per credit) for each part-time student. OPIRG-Carleton is a student-run and student-funded organization that engages in research, education and pressing social and environmental issues. It works from an office on the Carleton University campus with two full-time staff people and a board of directors comprised of seven students. OPIRG is responsible to a student elected Board of Directors who meet regularly to determine priorities, approve funds for research projects and educational events, and supervise staff and budetary considerations. Students participate in OPIRG through a variety of issues oriented working groups through work on the radio programme Crosscurrents, event organization, in the Resource Centre, writing articles and news releases, and by serving on the Board of Directors