Our Mission
Together we can make change happen.
It's a good thing, too. Our generation has some big challenges to tackle - from global warming to the rising cost of college, from homelessness to our collapsing health care system. It won't be easy, but by acting together we can find solutions.
That's where we come in. Here at Student PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups), we organize college students to solve some of the world's most pressing public interest problems.
Student PIRGs are an independent statewide student organizations that work on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, and hunger and homelessness. For nearly 40 years students working with their campus PIRG chapters have been making a real difference in people's lives and winning concrete changes to build a better world.
We give students the skills and opportunity to practice effective citizenship. Both here on campus and out in the world, we mobilize students to investigate big social problems, come up with practical solutions, convince the media and public to pay attention, and get decision-makers to act.
Get Involved!

Work on important issues, learn valuable skills, get hands-on experience, and make a difference.
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CALPIRG students asking Governor Jerry Brown what his plan is to make higher education more affordable. -
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We collect petition signatures - lots of them! -
CALPIRG’s Energy Service Corps: UCSD students working to engage students and the community about living sustainably at home via energy efficiency. Hello Wall-E. -
Hunger and Homelessness intern Roua Aboukhadijeh collecting interview footage on campus for a short film on poverty. -
Six media outlets covered a stop on the Textbooks Rebellion tour to promote affordable alternatives to outrageously expensive textbooks. -
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Vote Yes for OSPIRG!
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Power Shift West 2009 organizers with State Representative Jefferson Smith. -
Students campaign for High Speed Rail. -
Fast Trains ARE Cool. -
Students volunteer at a local garden for the National Hunger Cleanup. -
University of Oregon students and staff remind their peers to turn in their ballots on election day.
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Students at Southern Oregon University gather petitions to reduce plastic bag usage in the city of Ashland. -
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Volunteers wear the textbook mascot costumes to educate students about affordable textbook alternatives. -
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Students posing with the textbook Rebellion books, We Want Cheaper TEXTBOOKS!! -
UCSD CALPIRG’s Protect Our Oceans Campaign. We want to stop the continued plastic pollution of our oceans. Join us! -
UCSD students posing with Charlie the CFL after pledging to save energy in 1 to 4 ways at home. -
Textbook Rebel and Mr. $200 drew attention to outrageous textbook prices. -
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Students educate others about different ways to reduce energy. -
The Energy Efficiency campaign tabling to give away free CFLs and educate others about simple ways to reduce energy use. -
Student leaders educate the campus about income inequality during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. -
MaryPIRG students collect canned food for the Canpaign at UMD.
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