Monday, June 3, 1996
The organization answers some common questionsThe following was
submitted on behalf of the California Student Public Interest
Research Group.
By Behnaz Pezeshki
Although this letter may not be nearly as entertaining as the
viewpoint on the Asian penis, it might prove to be just as
important. If you have ever wondered what the relationship is
between ethnicity and the male sex organ, you might want to refer
back to the previously mentioned viewpoint. However, if you are
interested in learning about the relationship between UCLA students
and an organization called CALPIRG, keep reading.
Perhaps you have been confronted by one of this organization’s
members while they were asking you for your signature on a petition
or a donation of your time. Most likely though, you never stopped
to ask some important questions. Being the helpful advocates that
we are, we at CALPIRG have put together a series of questions which
should expand your understanding of this organization.
Q: What the hell does CALPIRG stand for?
A: California Student Public Interest Research Group.
Q: Which means … ?
A: An organization representing the public’s interests on
environmental, consumer and political issues.
Q: How did this organization get started?
A: Back in 1972, presidential candidate Ralph Nader founded
CALPIRG with hopes of giving more power to students on a state and
national level. In 1982, CALPIRG became a chapter at UCLA.
Q: What do you do besides bug students on Bruin Walk?
A: Plenty. We do community service work such as beach and river
clean-ups, storm drain stenciling, homeless shelter fundraising,
environmental education for elementary schools and getting students
politically involved by registering them to vote and informing them
on current political issues.
Q: On a statewide level, what does CALPIRG do that is
political?
A: In 1992, we kicked butt when we sued Shell Oil for over $2
million to clean up the toxins they had been illegally dumping in
the San Francisco Bay. As part of our Save the Planet campaign, we
delivered over one million petition signatures to Senator Feinstein
in support of clean air, clean water and endangered species acts.
Since January, we have also collected over 866,000 petition
signatures statewide to put a measure on November’s ballot that
would limit campaign contributions in the state of California.
Q: What kind of student support does CALPIRG have?
A: CALPIRG is run completely by students (under the guidance of
charter organizers, of course). We have over 5,000 due-paying
members on campus. Around 200 of those students help participate in
activities each year. We encourage everyone to get involved in at
least one of our many programs to help improve our community and
make our voices heard.
Q: So, where does my $5 pledge fee go?
A: We put everyone’s money together and plan a trip to
Disneyland … (just making sure you are still paying attention).
But seriously, your $5 is pooled at the state level and then
distributed to UC campus organizers, statewide researchers,
lobbyists and lawyers. Hey, if we didn’t hire these people, the
students’ voices would probably never be acknowledged.
Q: Alright, how do I get involved?
A: We are currently working to get an office on campus, but for
the time being you can call us at CALPIRG’s regional office in
Venice at (310) 397-3404. Or, you can look for CALPIRG’s table on
Bruin Walk for upcoming events.
Q: So, what are some upcoming events?
A: This Wednesday: Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for
the homeless with the help of other student groups on campus. So
please come and join us in the campaign against homelessness.
Also, a food and clothing drive.
So, now that you’ve got all your facts straight, wake up, smell
the problems (or the smog), and try to make a difference. Remember,
students working together can make a difference for the future
because the future belongs to us.
Pezeshki is a second-year neuroscience student.
In 1992, we kicked butt when we sued Shell Oil for over $2
million to clean up the toxins they had been illegally dumping in
the San Francisco Bay.