Forty years of building student power

2013 marks the 40^th anniversary of New York Public Interest Research Group’s advocacy efforts. Students, the leading force behind NYPIRG, have worked throughout that time to successfully fight and win on more than 150 different campaigns including reinvestments into the Tuition Assistance Program, establishing a nickel deposit on plastic water bottles, and protecting all New Yorkers from unsafe gas drilling.

Since its start in 1973, NYPIRG has grown into the largest statewide student-directed advocacy organization.  On 20 campuses all across New York State, including right here at Buffalo State College students with NYPIRG have worked and continue to work on a variety of important and exciting statewide and local grassroots campaigns through the on-campus internship program and club chapter. NYPIRG was established to empower and train students to make positive changes in their local and state governments through grassroots organizing. Our goal is to Build Student Power!

This last semester was a great example of how we can continue to effect change for years to come. 30,000 students statewide were registered to vote through NYPIRG’s outreach efforts. Nearly 1,600 were registered here on-campus! Those numbers speak volumes to those who we elected this past November. It means we have a strong voice. It means the issues that are important to us such as preserving the environment, campaign finance reform, and affordable higher education can no longer be ignored. Together we have an opportunity to create lasting change in our community and our state.

NYPIRG offers real world experience in public speaking, writing for advocacy, media outreach, coalition building, event planning, and much more. Strong leaders and motivated individuals are necessary to carry on the success that we have experienced over the last four decades.

NYPIRG meets every Tuesday during Bengal Pause, 12:15pm-1:30pm, in Campbell Union Room 419.