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The Alberta Public Interest Research Group (APIRG) is a student-run, student-funded non-profit organization on campus. We are dedicated to research, education, advocacy, and action in the public interest. We are funded through a small portion of student fees (similar to other student services) and have always offered the option for students to opt out and be refunded their fee at the start of each semester. Our Board of Directors is made up of elected undergraduate students who make every major organizational decision.
A “Yes” vote for APIRG supports:
Direct granting for student- and community-led initiatives
A place for students to develop their ideas to make the world a better place
Free training and consultation for students and student groups
Free equipment rentals available to all members
A dynamic alternative resource library
A variety of exciting volunteer positions for students to gain meaningful skills
An amplifying voice for issues that impact our communities
Unique leadership opportunities for undergraduates who wish to learn how to govern a non-profit
Vote “Yes” to continue to support APIRG and the amazing work we’ve done on campus for the last 15 years. Come to our office in HUB Mall and learn how to get involved today.
First Campaign Speech, February 28th, 2017
On March 8th and 9th the Students’ Union will ask you a question: do you continue to support a small, optional fee to fund the Alberta Public Interest Research Group, otherwise known as APIRG?
APIRG promotes an inclusive, just, and diverse campus.  We are living in times of the increasing visibility of violence and hatred. The election of Donald Trump, after he campaigned on hateful rhetoric, has had a chilling effect on a lot of people. It’s easy to think these are American problems. However, Alberta faces dire inequity. Alberta has higher income disparity between the rich and poor than the United States. We have Canada’s largest wage gap for women at a staggering 42%. Alberta has a high number of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and 87% of Alberta’s First Nations have been under a boil water advisory for unsafe water. In the wake of Trump’s election, anti-immigrant sentiment has been rising with racist posters placed around Edmonton and hate crimes committed on this very campus. Over 1 in 5 UAlberta students have reported a sexual assault at some point in their lives. Obviously, there is work to done.
APIRG has been working for the last 15 years to explore grassroots solutions to inequity in Edmonton. We work to empower students to be active citizens and transform their communities. We are student-led, with an elected board of undergraduates making all of the organizational decisions and we distribute grants to student- and community-led social initiatives ranging from research projects to community gardens and more.
The small, optional membership included in undergraduate student fees contributes to the greater good on campus. We provide members with a number of services including an alternative resource library, meaningful volunteer opportunities and career support, free equipment rentals, & free trainings and workshops.
On March 8th and 9th, vote “Yes” for APIRG to support an inclusive, just, and diverse campus. More information, including statistics used in this speech, our annual report, meeting minutes, and financial information is available at our website, apirg.org. Thank you.