What is LPIRG?

LPIRG is a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for students to engage with environmental and social justice issues.

LPIRG embraces plurality and participation, and encourages students to critically evaluate the institutions and systems in which they take part. LPIRG assists students in translating their knowledge through research, education, and action to serve public interest.

How is it funded?

LPIRG receives $5 from each U of L undergraduate student in the fall and spring semester. (This levy is fully refundable if a student so chooses.)

LPIRG uses this money to fund student research, events, and projects demonstrated to be in the public interest, as well as providing additional administration, organization, and information resources to empower students to become engaged citizens.

How is LPIRG accountable?

LPIRG is a democratic organization that is accountable directly to University of Lethbridge students in the following ways:

• Any student can run for election to the LPIRG board.
• All board meetings and general meetings are open to students,
• Students are encouraged to volunteer with LPIRG.
• LPIRG keeps financial records and produces an annual report, both of which are available to students.
• Students can opt out of the LPIRG fee and receive a full refund.

What does LPIRG do?

LPIRG provides funding, administrative assistance, meeting and storage space, and information resources to undergrad students  who have projects that are in the public interest.  Funding can be accessed for:

• Research
• Special Events
• Travel to Conferences
• Working Groups (-collectives of students and possibly community members who work together on a public interest issue. Groups may focus on research, events, action, publications, or other activities; and have long-term goals.)

LPIRG also facilitates opportunities for skill development through educational events, public campaigns and partnerships with community organizations.

LPIRG Board of Directors 2009-2010

Michelle Bennison

Thomas Fox

Madeleine Hardy (resigned)

Jeff Henry

Doran Hoge (resigned)

Daniel Manson

Stephen McGlenn

Christine Michell

________________________________________________________________________________________

LPIRG Board of Directors 2010-2011

Elections  March 2-4

We have 7 candidates running for 7 positions on the LPIRG Board of Directors. All University of Lethbridge undergraduate students are eligible to vote in conjunction with the Students’ Union elections online, March 2 – 4. Check out the following info about our candidates.

Kelti Boissonneault

Kelti was born in Northern BC and raised in Kelowna. Active for over 15 years in Girl Guides of Canada, Scouts Canada, and other local organizations, her time has been well-spent in the public eye. She has come to Lethbridge to study History and hopefully earn a teaching degree as well. She is interested in teaching highschool after graduation. She enjoys working with the public, and was partially responsible for spear-heading the student movement this February following the provincial budget release. She hopes working with LPIRG will provide her the opportunities to bring critical issues to the forefront of public thought.

Thomas Fox

Thomas is an environmental science student in his third year. He is the only returning board member, and is experienced with LPIRG’s mandate and procedures. He is very involved with Amnesty International, and is the President of the UofL Chess Club. He completed High School in Lethbridge with a bilingual diploma, and is very familiar with the city. His past two summers have been spent researching hummingbirds, and he is the recipient of an NSERC undergraduate research award. Interests include guitar, snowboarding, and yoga. He is a member of the ‘Fred Penner Revival Band’, which will one day be famous.

Nicole Lalonde

I am currently in my third year of a BFA(Art)/ B. Ed. degree. Presently, my art practice is leading me to critically examine socio-cultural constructs that define western Canadian perceptions of sexuality and gender. Furthermore, I also played a small role in promoting the recent protest which focused on the Government’s financial cuts to PSE; I designed and assisted in the dispensation of the posters, and I actively encouraged general public awareness and participation. Consequently, I am eager to begin participating as a member of the LPIRG board, since I believe that I have a lot to offer and a lot to learn from the experience.

Kristina Larkin

Kristina is a third year student at the U of L, working on a combined degree in General Social Sciences and Social Studies Education. She is very involved with the Rotaract Club on campus, which is a humanitarian service organization. As the Vice President External of that club for the past two years, she has seen that there are serious social issues that need to be addressed with more than just aid. She wants to become more involved with LPIRG because she believes it helps address the root causes of problems in the community and internationally.

Alex Masse

A longtime U of L student, Alex has served as Vice President Academic of the Students’ Union and worked as News Editor of the Meliorist. He has experience in board governance and is familiar with teh responsibilities involved. After years of studying political science, he feels – contrary to the established doctrine of that discipline – that university-level research has a role to play in addressing current and relevant social and environmental challenges. He hopes to encourage such meaningful research through his position as an LPIRG Director. In his spare time he enjoys skateboarding and talking about politics.

Keith McLaughlin

I am a fifth-year political science student at the University of Lethbridge. For the last three years at the U of L I have worked at The Meliorist. As a two-time News Editor for the campus publication (2006-07, 2009-10), I have covered campus, local and provincial news for the student and community readership. I have also dabbled in topical journalism as The Meliorist’s Features Editor in 2008-2009. Recently I have worked on the White Ribbon Campaign committee, and helped to organize the recent protest against cuts to post-secondary education (PSE) funding in Alberta.

Courtnay Sopko

My name is Courtnay Sopko and I am a fourth year history major at the university. I am 21 years old and I was born and raised in Fernie, BC. My favourite things include hiking, biking, skiing, camping and activism. This past semester I spent  in San Fancisco, California working with Greenpeace, which was a life changing experience. My future goals include working on and funning my own environmental and political campaigns.