The Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG) is a student-run, student-funded non-profit organization dedicated to community-based research, education, action and awareness in the public interest. Office Hours and Location
Room 222
Dr. William Riddell Centre
University of Regina
Regina, SK S4S 0A2
Open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. RPIRG Membership
RPIRG is entirely funded and directed by the students at the University of Regina. 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 U of R, and haven't opted out of the RPIRG fee during the designated opt-out period, then you are a voting member of RPIRG. Members are able to:
• Apply for funding
• Run for the Board of Directors
• Vote at General Meetings
Board of Directors
The RPIRG Board of Directors is composed of 8 Student Members of RPIRG. It is the decision-making body of RPIRG, which makes all major decisions regarding finances, long-term goals, long-term viability of the organization, staffing, and funding applications. Every spring, students vote for their Board of Directors in conjunction with other student group elections. All Student Members of RPIRG who are in good standing will be able to run for a seat on the RPIRG Board of Directors. Typically, terms are two years, and four positions are available every election. This cycle ensures a mix of four out-going and four-incoming members, to ensure continuity and organizational memory on the board. Student Funding
As a student at the University of Regina, you are eligible (and encouraged!) to apply for any of our three funding categories (application forms are available at our website):
1. Working Groups
Working Groups are often referred to as the heart of a PIRG. They are semi-autonomous groups of students and community members who organize around specific issues of environmental and social justice. These groups operate on a consensus-based decision making model, which aims to reduce as much as possible the coercive elements often times present in other decision making models. Upon approved application, a Working Group will receive:
• Support and funding of up to $500 per semester,
• Space on the RPIRG webpage,
• Access to office resources, ie. the button maker,
• Networking access, and
• The ability to apply for Project/Event funding.
2. Project/Events/Training
Project/Event/Training funding is designed to fund individuals or groups who plan to carry out a project or event with specific start and end dates, and can be as small or as big in nature as members see fit. Past examples of Project/Event/Training funding have included (but are by no means limited to):
• Sponsorship to attend training and conferences,
• Hosting speakers,
• Large-scale organizational improvements,
• Coordinating skills workshops,
• Organizing fundraisers, and
• Facilitating a lecture series.
3. Community Action Projects
Community Action Project funding hires student researchers to carry out action-research surrounding an issue facing the University of the community of Regina. RPIRG and the Community Research Unit on campus have hired researchers in the following areas:
a) The North Central Community History Project
b) The Mapping Corporate Power in Saskatchewan Project
c) The Campus Composting Feasibility Study
