I support funding MontPIRG

Without the source of student funding, MontPIRG lost its greatest tool, the ability to hire staff that work on behalf of all students at the University. Thus the campaigns have lost some of the consistency, which leads so much to the victories that we normally accomplish. Since having a US PIRG organizer on campus to help with campaigns, MontPIRG was able to make 12,000 get out the vote contacts for the 2008 election, run a successful internship program training future leaders, successfully block an attempt to require a Montana issued ID to participate in Montana elections and pass a bill protecting renters through the state house. The MontPIRG organizer has also played a big role in building our organizations state power by meeting with Governor Schweitzer, Senator Jon Tester, Attorney General Steve Bullock, Secretary of State Linda McCulloch and countless state Senators and Representatives on behalf of our organization, talking to them about energy issues, voter protections and transportation issues.

There are no other StudentPIRG chapters in Montana: working at the leading liberal arts college in the state, we think that we can really lead the way. Elected officials have for too long ignored the concerns of their constituents – and in particular, students. However as history has shown they don’t when MontPIRG gets involved. That is because MontPIRG knows how to organize, knows how to communicate a message and knows how to win. We set the standard for advocacy on issues and legislation that affect our lives. More importantly, a real presence of MontPIRG will help the students – and the university – fulfills its overall mission to create knowledge, provide an active learning environment for students, and offer programs and services responsive to the needs of Montanans. Now is the time to resurrect MontPIRG as a voice and vehicle for students.

PIRG's organizing model can be effective not only for winning on issues relating to global warming, college affordability, and transportation in Missoula – but also improving the campus community by turning students into successful leaders, public speakers, and community organizers. Many influential and successful political leaders got their start in MontPIRG including Jim Messina (Deputy Chief of Staff for President Obama), Brad Martin (Political Director for Progressive Future) and Matt Singer (CEO Forward Montana).

Funding for a PIRG chapter gives students access to an experienced on-campus organizer who can assess problems in the campus community from an objective perspective, an incredible internship program combining classroom and real-world experience, and the ability to use a large network of fellow student activists, issue experts, lobbyists, bloggers, graphic designers, researchers, and press contacts. Students will gain skills in designing advocacy, press, and visibility campaigns that are not available elsewhere on campus. Through this network, students in chapters all across the country worked to pass the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in 2007, which increased Pell grant aid for students from the lowest incomes, and made student loans cheaper and more manageable. By being a part of something bigger – the PIRGs – UM students can accomplish more than they ever thought possible in Helena and the nation's capital.

We ask you: the students, former students, and the concerned public to support a $5, per student, per semester fee. Together we can once again have a powerful student activist organization on campus that works for the students, and community.

Thank you