OSPIRG does good works, and doesn’t launder money
In regards to Nik Antovich’s column (“OSPIRG’s Spending is not benefiting university students,” ODE April 15): More groups to promote participation on campus would be beneficial. But OSPIRG, I feel, is getting a bad rap here as a mysterious money-laundering corporation. So let’s be clear, OSPIRG is for the STUDENT PUBLIC INTEREST! They are a public group, and any student can use their services (EMU suite #1). OSPIRG fights for all of us, not just on this campus. They fight on issues we cannot solve alone.
This year they made a huge push for composting on campus, reusable cups on campus and promoted general awareness through creative projects on campus. Those three things, ON CAMPUS, are focused around only one of many campaigns that OSPIRG works on. So no more of this absurd notion that OSPIRG is somehow laundering money off campus. Students should make better use of OSPIRG’s services by going to their meetings and participating. If any student is so concerned or frightened about the service, well it is public, so go check it out!
Cimmeron Gillespie
University student
OSPIRG’s depiction is shown without looking at the facts
Nik Antovich’s opinion column on OSPIRG, (“OSPIRG’s spending is not benefiting University students,” ODE Apr. 15) presents many negative biases against OSPIRG, and barely any truth. Yes, OPSIRG is a hot topic at the moment, mainly because candidates for the ASUO do not understand how the organization works, and instead of speaking with members or leaders of the group, they wish to slander it’s name based on misconceptions. As for Mr. Antovich, it would have been beneficial on his part to meet with someone that has actually been in the OSPIRG office, instead of false allegations and comparisons to the NRA. One of the false accusations is that OSPIRG does not do work for Lane County or for students in the University. However, OSPIRG participates in many organizations in Lane County, such as Food for Lane County, the Community Gardens, Eugene Tree Foundation, and Oregon Wild. Our members constantly do outreach for these organizations and we are always willing to lend extra hands for events they hold. Also, OSPIRG constantly presents rallies, movies, forums, educational seminars, and motivational speakers that are open to all students and to every Lane county citizen.
We have recently succeeded in helping the Recycling Center implement a compostable program in the EMU, a process that took much time and effort through our student volunteers and communication with Karyn Kaplan. This week alone OSPIRG is presenting a sustainable “Sun Rover” concert 12-3 tomorrow with bands WEGO, Scene and Stereo, Muke and more in the EMU amphitheater.
We have also been helping plan Earth Week on the UO campus with the Survival Center, a weeklong celebration of sustainable practices and fun activities for all. The UO Chapter of OSPIRG makes it a priority to benefit student lives on campus through our personal grassroots campaigns, as well as having staff workers to lobby for lower high education costs in Salem to benefit students statewide and nationally. This is a group that strives to make a difference in people’s lives, on campus and off. We may have a large budget, but it is only through our funding that we can make such a large-scale improvement on students’ lives and in Lane County.
Noelle Mitchell
OSPIRG member
[email protected]