| Campus Organizer: Maria Ayala, [email protected] |
| Chapter Meetings: Monday 5-6pm LIB 110 (email organizer for Zoom link) |
| Office: Woodland Commons 103 |
Who We Are:
The MASSPIRG Chapter at UMass Dartmouth started in 1974. MASSPIRG is a statewide, student-directed, student funded, non-profit, non-partisan organization which does research, education, service, and action on environmental, consumer, higher education, and hunger relief issues.
We are able to do all this because students here at UMassD vote to keep the chapter on campus and fund it through a $9 waivable fee that appears on the tuition bill. This money, pooled together with students from all across the state, allows us to have a much bigger impact on these issues at the state and national level, by hiring advocates, lawyers, organizers, and experts to help us run effective campaigns and have a much stronger voice where the decisions are being made.
| Learn more about the MASSPIRG Fee at UMass Dartmouth here! |
Current Campaigns:
- 100% Renewable Energy: Climate change, primarily caused by our overdependence on dirty fossil fuels, is threatening our environment, our health and our way of life. The good news is that we have a solution; we can make the switch to clean, renewable sources of energy like wind and solar more easily and cheaply than ever before! That’s why we’re pushing to pass the 100% Clean Act through the state legislature by the end of this legislative session. By working on this campaign, we can make sure Massachusetts commits to 100% clean electricity by 2035 and 100% clean electricity by 2045!
- Make Textbooks More Affordable: College is expensive, and the skyrocketing costs of textbooks and course materials are restricting students’ access to education even further. That’s why we’re raising awareness of Open Education Resources (OER) – low-cost (or even free!) alternatives to textbooks. We’re educating both professors and students about OER and mobilizing students against the rise of expensive access codes and other initiatives running up costs for students.
- Hunger & Homelessness: No student should have to worry about where their next meal will come from or where they’ll sleep at night, but we know that this is the reality we are facing. We know that we have to do something about it, especially since COVID-19 has made this situation even more prevalent for many students. We’re working with UMass Dartmouth to raise both awareness and resources to combat food and housing insecurity across the South Coast of Massachusetts.
Chapter Leadership:
Amanda Harlfinger // Chapter Chair & 100% Renewable Energy Campaign Coordinator
Class of 2022, Management Leadership Major with a minor in Sustainability
“I joined MASSPIRG because I’m very passionate about work involving the environment and sustainability. I had never really explored activism before, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get involved and make a difference. I am now the Chapter Chair and 100% Renewable Energy Coordinator; I am so proud of how much progress we are making in the fight against climate change!”
Aicha Chibani // Chapter Vice Chair
Class of 2022, Psychology Major
“I have heard about MASSPIRG since my freshman year and I have always been interested in the campaigns. With this pandemic, I wanted to spend my free time fighting for something larger. I wanted to be a part of creating a change for our future generations, and I am able to do that with MASSPIRG!“
Taonga Horace // Chapter Secretary & Hunger and Homelessness Campaign Coordinator
Class of 2023, Medical Laboratory Science Major
“MASSPIRG has given me the platform to advocate for issues that will affect the future of our society. Young people are the future and our opinions matter!“
Photo Gallery:
