[Wamvan] Fwd: Solidarity with Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group

[Meenakshi Mannoe]

Below are several things you can do to help support Simon Fraser
Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG). SFPIRG is a vital resource
for students at SFU and for the wider community, we can't let a
handful of right wingers on the SFU Student Union executive shut it
down.
____________________________________________________________________
Forwarded from SFPIRG:

Hey folks,

The Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) is is a
student funded and directed resource centre at SFU. We support
environmental and social change through research, education and
action. We have many, many resources, including:the Action Research
eXchange program that allows students to apply their research skills
through partnerships with community organizations, funding for social
and environmental justice initiatives, student jobs, workshops and a
social justice lending library with 7300+ alternative sources.

That being said, the Simon Fraser Student Society (the student union
here) might be terminating our lease. We have been in the Rotunda (a
building which houses our allies: Out on Campus, the Women's Center,
First Nations' Student Association, African and Carribean Heritage
Student Association) since its creation in 1981. Because we are a
social and environmental justice resource center, we need to ensure
that we remain both visible and accessible to students here. More info
can be found here: http://iheartsfpirg.ca/?page_id=115

We need some volunteers Wednesday 12pm - 4:00pm and Thursday 11am-4pm,
even for just a couple of hours. Please email sfpirg at sfu.ca if you are
available during those times. We are locating at the SFU Burnaby
Campus (TC 326), so it is a bit of trek coming up here. If you know of
any former/current SFU students, please pass along the email below.

Thanks for your support!

Razan




----------------------------------------------------
Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)
~For a just, sustainable, and meaningful world~
----------------------------------------------------
http://www.sfpirg.ca (778) 782-4360

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: "SFPIRG" <sfpirg at sfu.ca>
To: "sfpirg info list" <sf-pirg-info at sfu.ca>
Sent: Friday, 22 July, 2011 16:22:44
Subject: URGENT!! Upcoming SFPIRG Lease Events


Save SFPIRG's Space! Upcoming Events on the SFPIRG Lease

Hello everyone,

As you know, on July 8th, the SFSS Space Oversight Committee
recommended that the SFSS Board terminate its lease with SFPIRG. Check
out some more info here: http://iheartsfpirg.ca/?page_id=115 . This
coming week, the Board and Space Oversight Committee will be meeting
to decide the fate of SFPIRG's lease.

We need your support! There are three important upcoming events where
you come and can voice your support:

- Wednesday, July 27th at 10:30am : SFSS Board Meeting
- Wednesday, July 27th at 4:30pm: Forum Meeting
- Thursday, July 28th at 12:00pm, MBC 2212 : Graduate Student Society
Townhall Meeting on SFPIRG
- Friday, July 29th at 1:30pm : SFSS Space Oversight Committee meeting

You can also show your support to SFPIRG in the following ways:

1. State your concerns through an email to the SFSS Board and Space
Oversight Committee to let them know how you feel. Check out a sample
letter below. Please CC us on your letter of support.
2. Send your email to the Peak and post it on our Facebook group.
3. Call the SFSS to voice your concern.
4. Drop by our office, Monday to Friday from 10:30am – 4:30 pm.
5. Tweet your support or comment on our Facebook group.
6. Ask your professor if SFPIRG can do a presentation in your class.
7. Tell all your friends and classmates and pass this list onto them
*We encourage people to be firm, but there is no need to be rude :)

Sample Letter to the SFSS Board and Space Oversight Committee

To : pres at sfss.ca, treas at sfss.ca, ero at sfss.ca, iro at sfss.ca,
mso at sfss.ca, uro at sfss.ca, atlarge1 at sfss.ca, atlarge2 at sfss.ca,
appscirep at sfss.ca, artsrep at sfss.ca, busrep at sfss.ca, fcatrep at sfss.ca,
edurep at sfss.ca, envrep at sfss.ca, healthscirep at sfss.ca,
sciencerep at sfss.ca, sfpirg at sfu.ca

Dear SFSS Board of Directors and Space Oversight Committee,

I would like to take a minute to voice my concerns about the recent
motion to terminate SFPIRG’s lease. As a member of the student body
and supporter of SFPIRG, I would like to inform the Board that I
firmly believe in the importance of SFPIRG to the student community
and that I fully support SFPIRG staying in their current space. I feel
that terminating the lease would be detrimental to the student body as
it would disrupt the operations of many student clubs and
student-organized activities. I have heard that this is motivated by a
need for more “student space”. I would like the Board to know that
SFPIRG is student space and that I, as a student, highly value the
resources that SFPIRG offers to the student population.

I was disappointed to hear that the Space Oversight Committee did not
consult with students, student groups or even SFPIRG in this crucial
decision. I hope that the SFSS will recognize how invaluable SFPIRG is
to the student body and will reconsider their motion to terminate
SFPIRG’s lease.


Sincerely,


----------------------------------------------------
Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)
~For a just, sustainable, and meaningful world~
----------------------------------------------------
http://www.sfpirg.ca (778) 782-4360