“I LOVE MY PIRG” T-shirts dominated the room, but financial concerns prevailed the discussion.
Unlike OSPIRG’s first budget hearing, public discussion was allowed from OSPIRG members not officially presenting.
For a while, it seemed as though there might be a compromise on funding the group at $45,000, instead of the original recommendation of $117,000, but the Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee denied any funding to the student group.
OSPIRG volunteers and coordinators came out to voice support for an organization they said has given them valuable experience in public service, organizing campaigns, public speaking and uniting people in support of worthy causes.
Grace Bennett, University freshman and OSPIRG Hunger and Homelessness coordinator, said she got involved with OSPIRG to make a change on campus. She said she learned to reach out to campus groups and unify the campus over important issues.
“It’s important that OSPIRG is here to teach me those skills, to teach others those skills,” Bennett said.
Other OSPIRG volunteers spoke to the important personal experiences they’ve gained in public speaking, organizing their peers and working toward positive change that affects all students.
The members of OSPIRG spoke about how the group was instrumental in reforming credit card policy, health care and state budget issues. These changes, they said, would not have been possible without the help of advocates hired by the student PIRG to act on behalf of students in the legislature.
Ashley Kane, University sophomore and OSPIRG coordinator, emphasized that OSPIRG is made up of regular students. She said that the students make the decisions about what campaigns to focus on and that the public directly and tangibly benefits from the money that students provide.
“It is one of few contracts that are completely run and funded by students,” Kane said.
Sophie Luthin, University student and OSPIRG 21st Century Transportation coordinator, said OSPIRG empowers students to become a part of campus discourse.
“The staff helps students learn how to speak with students and gets students involved with campus politics,” Luthin said.
“They got students involved with elections and got more students to vote.”
Oregon Commentator Editor-in-Chief Lyzi Diamond said OSPIRG doesn’t affect students on campus the way other contracts such as LTD do.
“Student fee money should stay on campus,” Diamond said. “Think about how student groups and student money can benefit people on campus, tangibly.”
Members of the Executive have advised OSPIRG to take its cause to the full Senate, because the ACFC does not have the final say in funding.

[email protected]