Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)

The Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) is a student-funded and student-directed resource centre dedicated to social and environmental justice. PIRG's were established across North American campuses in the 1970's and 80's as a way for students to advocate for social change. SFPIRG was set-up by students on SFU's Burnaby campus in 1981 - we're currently celebrating our 30th birthda

y! SFPIRG has done loads of amazing work over the years and has positively impacted the lives of students and the wider community. Our mission is to engage students in social and environmental justice. Areas of work include education, action, research and community. We are non-partisan, which means we are not allied with any particular political party. SFPIRG brings together a diverse range of people and our work is all centred on a shared set of values. This includes a commitment to inclusive space to build community on campus; anti-oppression, body sovereignty and diversity; decolonization and indigenous sovereignty; self-representation and self-determination; skills sharing; continual learning and growth; integrity, wholeness & healing; collective & collaborative working methods; accountability; sustainability and respectful communication. (Please see our website for a full description of our values: www.sfpirg.ca.) We are a registered non-profit organization with our own constitution and bylaws. We are governed by a student-lead board of directors and we use consensus decision-making as the basis for our work. We have a team of three permanent staff who carry out the work of the organization. We are independent from both the University and the Simon Fraser Student Society. SFPIRG is funded through student fees - each semester we receive $3.00 from every full time student and $1.50 from every part-time student. Therefore, after paying their student fees, all students are members of SFPIRG and can use the resources available through our centre. Non-students can also become associate members of SFPIRG and get involved with us. We realize that not everyone believes in the goals of SFPIRG so we do offer students the ability to revoke their membership. We offer a fee refund period every semester, usually during the 4th week. We work closely with other student organizations on campus, including the Women's Centre, Out on Campus, CJSF, First Nations Student Association (FNSA), and the African & Caribbean Heritage Students Association (ACHSA). Collectively, we are known as the Rotunda groups.