As we wrap up the semester, we are looking back at some highlights from the work we have accomplished to save the bees, alleviate hunger and homelessness, build the right to repair movement, turn students out to vote, and make textbooks more affordable.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without your support, so THANK YOU for a great semester!
Save The Bees
We worked with our chapters in Camden and Newark to save the bees by banning harmful pesticides through our Bee-Friendly City initiative.
We met with cities throughout New Jersey to propose that they pass resolutions protecting bees and other pollinators.
Our team educated students on campus through events, delivered hundreds of petitions to elected officials in cities and counties across the state, and testified at city meetings to protect the bees.
Above: NJPIRG leaders Erin and Bowen testifying at the Montair Township Council Meeting in support of the the Bee Friendly City Resolution.
Our team meeting with Morristown and Hillsborough staff and elected officials.
Hunger and Homelessness
A recent survey by the Rutgers New Brunswick Food Pantry found that nearly 37% of students experience food insecurity. Additionally, 36% of people in the city of New Brunswick live below the poverty line.
To help serve those in need, this semester our team:
- Hosted a free pop-up clinic to provide health and dental services for student and community members. We’re excited to continue partner with with Rutgers Health, the School of Pharmacy, Rutgers Nursing School, ScreenNJ, YourHealthKiosk, Urban Health Collaborative, and Planned Parenthood Generation Action to continue this project!
- Collected thousands of items of clothing, food, and personal hygiene products to donate to local shelters and food banks.
- Built support for the Food Date Labeling Act which would significantly reduce food waste and help food get to those in need.
You can read more about our campaign in the Targum here.
Making Textbooks More Affordable
Textbook costs are too high and often a barrier for student success. This semester we worked with the Rutgers University Senate to explore alternatives to traditional books and access codes, and promote the use of free open source textbooks.
We celebrated professors and librarians working to address affordability issues through our first ever OER (Open Education Resources) Oscars (lower right photo) and delivered hundreds of petitions to members of Congress to support the federal Open Textbooks Pilot program which NJPIRG helped establish in 2017 (lower center and left photos).
The Right to Repair Our Stuff
We believe you should be able to fix your stuff. That means standing up for the public when manufacturers restrict access to the information and spare parts we need for repairs. This semester we hosted a Repair clinic where attendees learned how to repair their broken items (bottom left photo), we advocated for the Freedom to Fix Act and met directly with Congressman Frank Pallone (pictured below), and celebrated that all 50 states have filed right to repair legislation.
Waste is Out of Fashion
Finally, we launched our newest campaign to fight fast fashion by partnering with RU Thrifty for a sustainable fashion show to celebrate Earth Day!
Globally, 30% of clothing made is never sold or worn and is instead burned or dumped in a landfill. In addition to being wasteful in a time when so many people are in need, this practice is terrible for the environment and causes up to 10% of global climate emissions every year. In the fall, we’ll be calling on brands to curb their fast fashion practices and hosting events like clothing swaps, sewing workshops, and more on campus.
You can see some of the great outfits from the sustainable fashion show here.
Thank you for your continued support of our program and have a great summer!
Best,
Maggie Lu, Outgoing Chapter Chair
Erin Dacey, Incoming Chapter Char
Rutgers – New Brunswick