Student PIRGs

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting campuses nationwide. Here are a few of the ways that institutions are stepping up to meet students’ basic needs in this moment of uncertainty: 

While many states have plans to deal with emergencies like power outages, natural disasters and other one-off situations, very few states are currently set up to successfully run an election where large public gatherings, such as polling places, present a public health risk.

This year, the PIRG model of organizing paid off
big time. We helped more than 30,000 young people
register to vote, made over 1 million GOTV
contacts, and protected students’ right to vote at
the ballot box, which all contributed to an unprecedented
increase in youth voter turnout in 2018.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan FUTURE Act today, which permanently funds historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions, and streamlines financial aid. Specifically, it allows the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Education to share data that will shorten the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and automatically re-certify the income of borrowers who are in an income-driven repayment plan.

WASHINGTON — Today, congressional leaders from both parties introduced legislation that could save American college students nearly a billion dollars on textbooks.

WASHINGTON — After being asked to comment on U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s report on oversized fees on college students’ checking accounts, Wells Fargo announced that it would be eliminating some fees on its campus debit cards.

WASHINGTON — Attending college can be one of the most expensive endeavors Americans face. According to U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s new report, Debit Cards on Campus: Putting Student Financial Well-Being At Risk, many banks are adding to that expense by partnering with schools to offer and aggressively market new checking accounts to students.

UC Berkeley becomes biggest American university to fully commit to clean energy

The Student PIRGs and Environment America, along with students across the country, will launch 50 campaigns in 15 states this year, imploring colleges and universities to generate 100 percent of their energy from renewable sources.

CHICAGO: Today, McDonald’s released a new policy to restrict medically important antibiotic use in its beef supply chain.  The company says it will immediately start measuring and assessing antibiotic use in its top ten beef sourcing markets. Then, by the end of 2020. McDonald’s plans to set targets for lower use of medically-important antibiotics.