What’s a pirg?
In the 1980s, Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) were founded on campuses across Turtle Island (what is colonially known as North America) with the goal of pursuing important social justice work to address community issues and to work towards real solutions. Today, PIRGs exist on campuses across Turtle Island, contributing to campus culture, politics, and community.
OPIRG Kingston History
OPIRG Kingston began as a campus club operating out of the Grey House at 51 Bader Lane (formerly Queen’s Crescent). It incorporated as a nonprofit in 1993 with its stated purpose to:
- engage in research, education, and action in the public interest on social and environmental issues.
- provide an educational experience for volunteers in the areas of research, group skills, and public education.
What does our chapter do?
Our major programming series is called “Alt-Frosh” – and “Alt-Frost” in the winter – where we host a number of events to mark the beginning of the fall and winter semesters. Alt-Frosh/Frost seeks to provide folks with an ‘alternative’ orientation week that is centred around social and environmental justice initiatives, topics, and conversations. We often collaborate with campus and community partners to ensure a wide range of events.
Working Groups
OPIRG Kingston has a working group system where groups supported (and sometimes started) by us get what they need to carry out their work, while remaining autonomous and separate.
RESEARCH
OPIRG Kingston’s research is student-led and student-driven. Our undergraduate research volunteers plan and conduct research on relevant topics by critically examining campus climate, culture, and activities.
EDUCATION
We facilitate learning on a variety of social and environmental justice issues like anti-racism, anti-capitalism, queer and trans liberation, and decolonisation. We do this through hosting events, facilitating discussion groups, and producing informational materials.
ACTION
Here at OPIRG Kingston, we use our research to inform our educational campaigns, events, and demonstrations. We are involved in local activist work.