SFPIRG

No More "Wellness Checks": Building Grassroots Mental Health First Aid Skills:
2021-07-17 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Online
No More “Wellness Checks”: Building grassroots mental health first aid skills
A part of SFPIRG’s Transformative Justice summer series

Fill out this form to register!
What are the problems with police “wellness checks,” the BC Mental Health Act, and forced care? And what are alternatives to calling in the police when someone is in a mental health crisis? In this workshop, we will discuss the inherent violence of police “wellness checks” and forced care, and build our skills for responding to mental health crises without calling in the coercive powers of the state.
About the event series
This workshop is part of an event series of 4 interactive workshops that will help folks develop their knowledge and skills around organizing for transformative justice, mutual aid, and defunding the police. Together we will explore models for responding to harm without further violence and without the re-entrenchment of state violence through prisons and police. We will learn about alternatives to police and prisons, develop our skills to respond to crises without police, and organize for transformative change. Each session will be a mixture of discussion, brainstorming, skill-sharing, and panel or fishbowl discussions with those on the frontlines.
Register for one or all sessions through this form!
Registration cut-off time for each session is 9:00 AM on the same day. e.g. you will be unable to register for “No More “Wellness Checks”: building grassroots mental health first aid skills” after 9:00 AM on Saturday July 17. Any registrants after 9:00 AM may not receive the Zoom link in time to attend.
This event series is presented by the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG), the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA), SFU Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (SFU DNA), the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), the UBC Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), and the UBC Social Justice Centre (UBC SJC), made possible with generous support from Pivot Legal Society and PeerNetBC.
Each session will be online from 10-5pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. Full list of sessions:

Saturday July 3: Organizing for a police-free world
Saturday July 10: No Cops on Campus: imagining police-free universities & colleges
Saturday July 17: No More “Wellness Checks”: building grassroots mental health first aid skills
Saturday July 24: What’s My Place? Reflections & next steps in movement-building

Accessibility
ASL interpretation is confirmed for this event. You will be asked to indicate if you require this service when you register for free through this form.
A Zoom link will be emailed to participants ahead of time.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that SFPIRG occupies unceded Indigenous land of Coast Salish peoples. Based on our current knowledge, this includes the territories of the Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Katzie, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen nations. Unceded means this land was never surrendered, relinquished or handed over in any way. In this work around transformative justice, we recognize policing and carceral systems as part of the violence of settler colonialism, and thus we strive to bring forward anti-colonial analyses and to echo the demands of Indigenous folks for decolonization and land back.

What’s My Place? Reflections and Next Steps in Movement Building
2021-07-24 10:00 - 17:00 | Online
What’s My Place? Reflections and next steps in movement building
A part of SFPIRG’s Transformative Justice summer series

Fill out this form to register!
In the first part of the day participants will look inward to identify and dismantle the internal barriers that can keep us from engaging in the work of building a better world. In the second half of the day we will identify next steps in organizing for an end to governance through violence. Building a movement takes all kinds of labour and resources, and we all have something to offer. Our hope is that participants will leave with a better sense of what their place in the movement might be.
About the event series
This workshop is part of an event series of 4 interactive workshops that will help folks develop their knowledge and skills around organizing for transformative justice, mutual aid, and defunding the police. Together we will explore models for responding to harm without further violence and without the re-entrenchment of state violence through prisons and police. We will learn about alternatives to police and prisons, develop our skills to respond to crises without police, and organize for transformative change. Each session will be a mixture of discussion, brainstorming, skill-sharing, and panel or fishbowl discussions with those on the frontlines.
Register for one or all sessions through this form!
Registration cut-off time for each session is 9:00 AM on the same day. e.g. you will be unable to register for “What’s My Place? Reflections & next steps in movement-building” after 9:00 AM on Saturday July 24. Any registrants after 9:00 AM may not receive the Zoom link in time to attend.
This event series is presented by the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG), the AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC), SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA), SFU Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (SFU DNA), the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), the UBC Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO), and the UBC Social Justice Centre (UBC SJC), made possible with generous support from Pivot Legal Society and PeerNetBC.
Each session will be online from 10-5pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. Full list of sessions:

Saturday July 3: Organizing for a police-free world
Saturday July 10: No Cops on Campus: imagining police-free universities & colleges
Saturday July 17: No More “Wellness Checks”: building grassroots mental health first aid skills
Saturday July 24: What’s My Place? Reflections & next steps in movement-building

Accessibility
ASL interpretation is confirmed for this event. You will be asked to indicate if you require this service when you register for free through this form.
A Zoom link will be emailed to participants ahead of time.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that SFPIRG occupies unceded Indigenous land of Coast Salish peoples. Based on our current knowledge, this includes the territories of the Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Katzie, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen nations. Unceded means this land was never surrendered, relinquished or handed over in any way. In this work around transformative justice, we recognize policing and carceral systems as part of the violence of settler colonialism, and thus we strive to bring forward anti-colonial analyses and to echo the demands of Indigenous folks for decolonization and land back.

SFU350 X SFPIRG Climate Justice & Intersectional Anti-Oppression Workshop
2021-09-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Online
SFU350 X SFPIRG Climate Justice & Intersectional Anti-Oppression Workshop

Register here to join SFU350 and SFPIRG in exploring a climate justice and anti-oppression-oriented lens towards climate change action.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of familiarity level with climate change work.
This event is one of many as part of SFU350’s Climate Emergency Declaration campaign. We are pushing SFU to declare a climate emergency and commit to a set of seven demands to make concrete commitments and achieve meaningful action in alignment with global science-based targets.
Institutions like SFU have the power to make concrete commitments and achieve meaningful action in alignment with global science-based targets. These commitments and actions should center and contribute to decolonization, reconciliation, and justice by design. SFU has already started on this process with its recent 2020-2025 Sustainability Plan. While this is an important step in the right direction, more can and should be done. This climate emergency declaration exceeds the requirements of the 2025 plan and calls on SFU to do much more, including the following:

declare a climate emergency;
take a stance on the TMX pipeline expansion;
promote divestment as a way to signal to other institutional investors that fossil fuels are no longer a wise investment;
ensure all SFU students graduate with an understanding of climate change and climate justice;
ensure SFU does not receive funding from fossil fuel special interest groups; set a comprehensive science-based university-wide decarbonization target and limit reliance on carbon offsets;
encourage standing in solidarity with direct actions for climate justice;
and recommend solutions that centre climate justice while also recognizing the ongoing harm that universities perpetuate.

Sign the petition: https://www.sfu350.com/ced
Follow us and SFPIRG on social media: @sfu350 @sfpirg
Land acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledges that we are working on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Katzie, and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations. Unceded means that this land was never surrendered, relinquished or handed over in any way. We continue to be on occupied lands and therefore, we acknowledge that we, as people living and working on these lands, must always centre our movement around Indigenous rights and sovereignty.
Accessibility, Technology and Privacy

This event will be hosted over Zoom and a link and password for access will be sent out to all registrants.
Closed captioning will be available for this event.
We will be able to offer ASL interpretation for this event. For us to book and secure an interpreter, or another accessibility-related measure please contact Gurleen Aujla at 350sfu@gmail.com by Friday, September 17th.

Technology requirements
This workshop will be presented in a participatory webinar format. To engage fully you will need:

A laptop, computer, or smartphone
A webcam
A microphone
Speakers or headphones

Protecting your privacy
To ensure that we are using online meeting technology in a privacy-conscious way, we are following best practices for this online event series:

We will only circulate the meeting link to those who are registered for the event
We will password protect the meeting

Community Agreement

There will be zero tolerance for those who promote violence against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or different ability. Anyone who incites harm towards other participants (be it through the chat, video or audio functions) will be removed at the discretion of our technical team and moderator.
Questions are welcomed and encouraged throughout the presentation!
Don’t assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or video image. We can refer to people using the usernames they provide!
Respect the opinions of others. Every participant brings information, points of view and ideas to contribute
Practice self-care: if you need to take a break from the content, please feel free to do so.

Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Gurleen Aujla at 350sfu@gmail.com.

Fee Refunds - Fall 2021 Semester
2021-09-28 10:00 - 2021-10-05 10:00 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
SFPIRG is a student-funded non-profit organization, autonomous from the University, Simon Fraser Student Society, and the Graduate Student Society. Each semester we receive $3.00 from full-time undergraduate students and $1.50 from part-time undergraduate students. A successful graduate student referendum in Spring 2020 increased grad student membership fees and tied them to local inflation rates. As of Fall 2021 we receive $5.61 from full-time graduate students and $2.81 from part-time graduate students. After paying their student fees, all students are members of SFPIRG and can use the resources available through our centre. Non-students can also become associate members of SFPIRG and get involved with us.
We realize that not everyone shares SFPIRG’s values, so each semester we offer students the ability to revoke their membership. If you would like to opt-out, please see the COVID-19 update below. Once you opt-out, you are no longer a member of SFPIRG and will not be eligible to use the organization’s resources and services.
*COVID-19 Update* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fee refunds will be administered differently for the Fall 2021 semester only. To receive more information about opting out of your SFPIRG membership for the Fall 2021 semester, please send an email to admin@sfpirg.ca between the dates and times listed below.

Opt-Out start time: Tuesday, Sept. 28th – 10am
Opt-Out end time: Tuesday, Oct. 5th – 10am

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
2021-12-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Convocation Mall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
On December 6, students and survivors across the country will join together in walking out, gathering together and calling for great institutional accountability to ending sexual and gender-based violence.

Here at SFU
We will gather at 10am in the Convocation Mall for button making, make a collaborative Declaration of Survivors Rights, and discuss the legacy of violence in post-secondary that so many continue to experience. The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is part of the 16-days of Action to End Gender-based Violence and marks the 32 year since the tragic murder of 14 women at Polytechnique Montréal. As we mourn their loss and remember their lives, we reaffirm our commitment to fight the hatred that led to this tragedy, and the misogyny that still exists today. If you are not able to join in person, please use #SafeCampusWalkOut to show your support.

What is sexual and gender-based violence? Students for Consent Culture Canada, who is a partner in the walkout along with Safe Campus Coalition, defines it as:

Gender-based violence is a term that includes sexual assault or abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of violence and discrimination that draw on gendered stereotypes and power structures. In Canada, these forms of violence have traditionally been understood in the framework of “violence against women.” We recognise and affirm the work of feminist activists who demanded recognition and social change on behalf of women harmed by men and patriarchal power. We understand these forms of violence within broader systems of hierarchy, power, and discrimination, and use the term “gender-based violence” to highlight the impact on Queer, non-binary, trans, and two-spirit individuals, in addition to cisgender women and men. GBV can be physical, sexual, psychological, spiritual, and structural. Fundamental to our understanding of GBV is that it intersects with other forms of violence and oppression in ways that can impact its meanings and effects on victims and survivors, as well as how it is perceived by others. These forms of violence and oppression include: Racism, Colonialism, Islamophobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Ableism Classism and Poverty

Social Justice Office Hours
2022-01-19 14:30 - 16:00 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Attention all SFU undergrad and grad students! SFPIRG is here to support you!
Are you dealing with racism, sexism, or other oppressive/problematic content in the course of your work, organising, or studies? Are you looking for support with how to respond to instances of oppressive/problematic content in your coursework, or from your fellow students? Are you looking for community with folks who also care about social justice? You’re not alone!
Join SFPIRG for our 2022 Social Justice Office Hours series for SFU undergrad and grad students!
Social Justice Office Hours will take place on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4pm, starting on January 19th, 2022. The last session will be on April 6th. **PLEASE NOTE, there will be NO session on February 23rd, as it is Reading Week.**
Drop into any of the sessions to get support with:

How to respond to problematic things that come up in the course of your work, or from your fellow students
How to apply equity / intersectionality / anti-oppression in the context of your research / studies / work
Processing how you’re doing, handling what’s happening for you
Tracking down other resources, supports, etc.

Please note that these are group support sessions, and so conversations may take place of a sensitive or challenging nature. In order to support a safer environment for all, we ask participants to be respectful, considerate, and compassionate throughout all sessions. Participants who are harassing, discriminating against, or deliberately harming others will be removed from the room.
We look forward to connecting with you!
How to attend:

RSVP using this form at least 1-hour prior to any Social Justice Office Hours session. Please register using the full name and email you will be signing into the Google Meet session with.

Please note: if you register less than 1-hour prior to a session, we cannot guarantee that you will receive the event link for that session.

Participants will be added to the event series within the 1-hour prior to each session. If you do not receive an invitation, please be sure to check your spam folder.

You will receive a Google Calendar invitation, with a Google Meet link included. This link will work for all Social Justice Office Hours sessions!
You will be added to the Google Calendar event series, and will be registered for the full Social Justice Office Hours series of events – drop into any session! You only need to RSVP once.

Questions? You can reach us at education@sfpirg.ca for more information

Full List of Dates:

January 19
January 26th
February 2nd
February 9th
February 16th
NO SESSION February 23rd
March 2nd
March 9th
March 16th
March 23rd
March 30th
April 6th

Application Deadline for Electoral Officer
2022-01-21 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
The Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) is looking for an Independent Electoral Officer who will be responsible for overseeing the nomination and electoral process for our Board of Directors from February to late March.

The position involves 1- 5 hours a week of work in February and March, with more work during the election period (if required) in March.
An honorarium of $200 will be given for the nominations period, and in the case of elections, another $300 will be given.

Application Deadline & Procedure
Application deadline is Friday, January 21, 2022 at 10am
If you are interested, please send your name, contact information, why you are interested in the position and why you would make a good Electoral Officer to admin@sfpirg.ca.
Qualifications:

Leadership skills
Communication skills, able to convey information clearly both orally and in writing
Integrity and ability to respect process and confidentiality
Highly organized, able to work independently
Commitment to social and environmental justice

Compensation
The electoral officer shall receive an honorarium of $200 for work performed during the nomination period, and an additional $300 honorarium for electoral duties should elections be held.
Electoral Officer Job Description
The Electoral Officer is responsible for overseeing SFPIRG’s nomination and electoral process for its Board of Directors from February to March 2022. The position involves 1- 5 hours a week of work in February and March, with more work during the election period (if required*) in March. The Electoral Officer shall be accountable to the Board, but shall have authority to conduct the election.
* Elections will only be held if there are more candidates than available positions. There are a maximum of nine seats available on the Board of Directors according to SFPIRG’s bylaws.
Nominations Period Duties:

Put out the call for nominations
Provide notice for deadlines
Review nominations to ensure the eligibility of candidates
Respond to nominees’ inquiries on the nomination and electoral process
Organize and run a nominees’ info session
Organize and run a candidates’ meeting

Election Period Duties:

Instruct candidates on the election process
Arrange for the production of a collective candidate poster
Promote the election on campus
Approve campaign material
Enforce the regulations regarding appropriate campaigning/campaign material
Produce ballots
Oversee the voting during the election
Count the votes
Release of the election results
Other election duties, as required

Fee Refund Week - Spring 2022 Semester
2022-01-24 - 2022-01-28 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
SFPIRG is a student-funded non-profit organization, autonomous from the University, Simon Fraser Student Society, and the Graduate Student Society. Each semester we receive $3.00 from full-time undergraduate students and $1.50 from part-time undergraduate students. A successful graduate student referendum in Spring 2020 increased grad student membership fees and tied them to local inflation rates. As of Fall 2021 we receive $5.61 from full-time graduate students and $2.81 from part-time graduate students. After paying their student fees, all students are members of SFPIRG and can use the resources available through our centre. Non-students can also become associate members of SFPIRG and get involved with us.
What do we do with fees we collect? We offer many great services such as equity support on research, homework, and for TAs and TMs to improve their classroom environments as well as trainings for the campus community throughout the year. We offer funding for student activities and projects such as through the Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Award. We also offer resources such as projectors, art materials, and rally supplies for student events and activities. Our equity library also offers many resources on marginalised research topics such as disability justice, abolition, and the steps and skills it takes to transform the world.
We realize that not everyone shares SFPIRG’s values, so each semester we offer students the ability to revoke their membership. If you would like to opt-out, please see the COVID-19 update below. Once you opt-out, you are no longer a member of SFPIRG and will not be eligible to use the organization’s resources and services.
*COVID-19 Update* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fee refunds will be administered differently for the Spring 2022 semester. To receive more information about opting out of your SFPIRG membership for the Spring 2022 semester, please send an email to admin@sfpirg.ca.
Opting out of PIRG membership and fee refunds can be requested between 10am on January 24 and 5pm on January 28.

Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Award Deadline
2022-02-24 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
One way that SFPIRG aims to fulfill our mandate is by making funds available to be granted to individuals or organizations engaged in local, grassroots social and environmental justice work. Every year, $500 is set aside for the annual Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Award.
In memory of SFPIRG volunteer Usamah Ansari, this annual award supports creative social justice work including art, poetry, music and writing. Individuals or groups can apply. Priority is given to communities of colour, refugees and youth. The 2022 application deadline is Thursday, February 24 at 4pm. Make sure to apply early!
Applicants are encouraged to read some of Usamah’s work, to help understand some of his spirit, and the nature of his work.
Barbaric Brown Men and Civilized White Ladies
Sindoor
Wounded Sentiments
Here is the 2022 Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Application Form.
Please fill this out as a word document and send it to Susan at admin@sfpirg.ca by February 24 at 4pm.

SFPIRG 2022 Board of Directors Nominations Period
2022-02-28 - 2022-03-14 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
As a not-for-profit society in BC, SFPIRG is a student-run and student-funded resource centre for social and environmental justice! We are run by a student-led Board of Directors that govern SFPIRG, guide our vision and direction, and help us engage students and community in social and environmental justice. We especially encourage those from under-represented groups on campus, as well as those with a strong intersectional analysis, to put forth a nomination.
Learn more
Join us for the drop in Board of Directors Nomination Info Sessions on March 4th from 3:30-4:30pm or March 8th from 2-3pm.

Download the info package here.
Download the nominations package here.
Download the online nominations signatures form here.
Download the the form to collect physical signatures here.

Interested to learn more? Email eo@sfpirg.ca with your questions.

Release, Reset, Restore: Care-based Office Hours
2022-03-02 14:30 - 16:00 | Online
Attention all SFU undergrad and grad students! SFPIRG is here to support you!
Are you dealing with racism, sexism, or other oppressive/problematic content in the course of your work, organising, or studies? Are you looking for a confidential and supportive space? Are you looking for community with folks who also care about social justice? Come and help us build a sanctuary space for you and your fellow students.
Join SFPIRG for our 2022 Care-based Office Hours series for SFU undergrad and grad students! Release, Reset, and Restore will take place on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4pm, starting on March 2, 2022. The last session will be on April 6th.
These sessions will be flexible to the needs of those gathered but may include mindfulness activities, sharing circles, artistic practice, collective journalling, or sharing resources for those who need further support and guidance.
Please note that these are group support sessions, and so conversations may take place of a sensitive or challenging nature. In order to support a safer environment for all, we ask participants to be respectful, considerate, and compassionate throughout all sessions. Participants who are harassing, discriminating against, or deliberately harming others will be removed from the room.
We look forward to connecting with you!
How to attend:

RSVP using this form at least 1-hour prior to any session. Please register using the full name and email you will be signing into the Google Meet session with.

Please note: if you register less than 1-hour prior to a session, we cannot guarantee that you will receive the event link for that session.

Participants will be added to the event series within the 1-hour prior to each session. If you do not receive an invitation, please be sure to check your spam folder.

You will receive a Google Calendar invitation, with a Google Meet link included. This link will work for all Social Justice Office Hours sessions!
You will be added to the Google Calendar event series, and will be registered for the full Social Justice Office Hours series of events – drop into any session! You only need to RSVP once.

Questions? You can reach us at education@sfpirg.ca for more information

Full List of Dates:

March 2nd
March 9th
March 16th
March 23rd
March 30th
April 6th

Board Nominations Info Session 2022
2022-03-04 15:30 - 16:30, 2022-03-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Organize with us! Get active in social and environmental justice! Help support a vibrant student organization and make a difference in your communities! Join SFPIRG’s Board of Directors!
Interested? Want to learn more? Come by this information session to learn more about SFPIRG and hear more about the nomination process!
How to Attend
This info session will be done over Zoom, using this link Password: [REDACTED]
If you have any access needs that you require for this session please email engagement@sfpirg.ca
Important dates

Nomination period: February 28th to March 14th at 5pm, 2022

Learn more

Download the info package here
Download the nominations package here
Download the online nominations signatures form here
To download the form for collecting physical signatures, please visit here.

Interested in learning more? Email eo@sfpirg.ca with your questions.
We encourage those from under-represented groups on campus, as well as those with a strong intersectional analysis, to put forth a nomination. We are looking for between 3 and 9 candidates. If we receive more than 9 nominations, we will hold elections.

Release, Reset, Restore: Care-based Office Hours
2022-03-09 14:30 - 16:00, 2022-03-16 14:30 - 16:00, 2022-03-23 14:30 - 16:00, 2022-03-30 14:30 - 16:00 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

Release, Reset Restore: Care-based Office Hours
2022-04-06 14:30 - 16:00 | 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

More Than a Checkbox : Doing Better Data, How Data Can Be Caring
2022-05-12 08:00 - 17:00 | British Columbia
The SFU Graduate Student Society (GSS) and the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) are pleased to co-host this series on research ethics for graduate students across BC. During these three events, researchers will share a diverse expertise on how we move beyond institutional research ethics to enacting real forms of consent, accountability, and care in how we do research.
In this event we will be talking about how a large amount of knowledge gathering occurs through surveys and data analysis. There are many ethical considerations that go into data collection through these methods, but how do we do this better? Our guests will talk about their experiences in considering the impacts of race-based data and gender-based violence, asking better questions, and thinking about our analysis in more thoughtful and empowering ways.
Register here: https://forms.gle/NQXukHn6Cd6Sh6DW6
Speakers: Dr. Emily Rosser plus one speaker TBA

More Than a Checkbox : Beyond Institutional Ethics in Art Practice
2022-05-25 11:00 - 12:30 | British Columbia
The SFU Graduate Student Society (GSS) and the Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG) are pleased to co-host this series on research ethics for graduate students across BC. During these three events, researchers will share a diverse expertise on how we move beyond institutional research ethics to enacting real forms of consent, accountability, and care in how we do research
This event will delve into the difference between institutional and community ethics can be quite a gap. There are consent and ethical protocols that go well beyond those required by the Office of Research Ethics and just don’t seem to fit into the application. This panel hosts researchers and artists engaged in ethical practices – who are thinking about how art can be done in thoughtful ways that work to build communities or advance political ideas for communities. We will close with questions and ways to talk about these ethical considerations in research applications.
Register here: https://forms.gle/NQXukHn6Cd6Sh6DW6
Speakers: Lois Klassen + Roxanne Charles
Roxanne Charles of Semiahmoo First Nation is a cultural historian employing means of visual representation, oral history, and ceremony. Roxanne holds two undergraduate degrees from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and a Master of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University. Roxanne’s work directly responds to a troubling colonial present and documents a variety of issues that reflect her life experience such as spirituality, identity, urbanization, food security, resource extraction, trauma, and various forms of systemic violence.
Lois Klassen is an artist, writer and researcher working and living on traditional and unceded Coast Salish territory. Klassen is a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow with criticalMediArtStudio (cMAS) in the School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SFU Surrey) and a parttime research ethics board coordinator at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Klassen was a 2020 Fulbright Scholar with Center for Inter-American Border Studies and the Ruben Center for the Visual Arts, University of Texas El Paso. Klassen’s research and writing takes up ethics and participatory art practices—a topic she covers for the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards Circle of Experts. Lois Klassen is the founder of Light Factory Publications, an itinerant publishing house that hosts the artist project, Reading the Migration Library, and the imprint, Present Cartographers.

Fee Refund Week - Summer 2022 Semester
2022-05-30 10:00 - 2022-06-03 17:00 | British Columbia
SFPIRG is a student-funded non-profit organization, autonomous from the University, Simon Fraser Student Society, and the Graduate Student Society. Each semester we receive $3.00 from full-time undergraduate students and $1.50 from part-time undergraduate students. A successful graduate student referendum in Spring 2020 increased grad student membership fees and tied them to local inflation rates. As of Fall 2021 we receive $5.61 from full-time graduate students and $2.81 from part-time graduate students. After paying their student fees, all students are members of SFPIRG and can use the resources available through our centre. Non-students can also become associate members of SFPIRG and get involved with us.
What do we do with fees we collect? We offer many great services such as equity support on research, homework, and for TAs and TMs to improve their classroom environments as well as trainings for the campus community throughout the year. We offer funding for student activities and projects such as through the Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Award. We also offer resources such as projectors, art materials, and rally supplies for student events and activities. Our equity library also offers many resources on marginalised research topics such as disability justice, abolition, and the steps and skills it takes to transform the world.
We realize that not everyone shares SFPIRG’s values, so each semester we offer students the ability to revoke their membership. If you would like to opt-out, please see the COVID-19 update below. Once you opt-out, you are no longer a member of SFPIRG and will not be eligible to use the organization’s resources and services.
*COVID-19 Update* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fee refunds will be administered differently for the Summer 2022 semester. To receive more information about opting out of your SFPIRG membership for the Summer 2022 semester, please send an email to admin@sfpirg.ca.
Opting out of PIRG membership and fee refunds can be requested between 10am on May 30 and 5pm on June 3.

Tabling for the SFU Services Fair
2022-09-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Convo Mall, SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Come and learn more about the work SFPIRG does from staff and student Board members as part of the SFU Service Fair. We will be joined by many groups and organisations from across campus who exist to serve students on all of SFU’s campuses. Join us at Convo Mall on the Burnaby campus and build your community as a new student!

Tabling for the SFSS Clubs Days (Burnaby)
2022-09-13 11:00 - 15:00 | Convo Mall, SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Come and learn more about the work SFPIRG does from staff and student Board members as part of the SFSS Clubs Days. We will be joined by many groups and organisations from across campus who exist to create vital community as SFU. Join us at Convo Mall on the Burnaby campus and build your community as a new student!

Finding Our Roles in Social Movements
2022-09-15 12:30 - 13:30 | British Columbia
Are you new to social movement organising and don’t know where to start? Are you shifting roles and energies in social movements? it can be overwhelming to know what it is you are supposed to be doing to fight against climate crisis and colonialism! But more and more the movements we are building are moving away from the idea of an activist as someone who shows up at rallies. our movements need so many different gifts and skills to build the world we need.
Join us for a lunch time conversation about the many roles that exist in making changed. Based on the tools created by Deepa Iyer (@DeepaVIyer) including the Social Change Map and workbook, we will be investigating and discussing how we show up with more integrity to movements that matter to us.
We will be reviewing accommodation needs based on registration to determine the comfort levels of those wishing to attend. We will confirm a location either online or in person by September 12.
Please fill out this google form to register and let us know about your needs.

Tabling for the SFSS Clubs Days (Surrey)
2022-09-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Convo Mall, SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Come and learn more about the work SFPIRG does from staff and student Board members as part of the SFSS Clubs Days. We will be joined by many groups and organisations from across campus who exist to create vital community as SFU. Join us at the SFU Surrey campus and build your community as a new student!

Fee Refund Week - Fall 2022 Semester
2022-09-26 10:00 - 2022-09-29 17:00 | British Columbia
SFPIRG is a student-funded non-profit organization, autonomous from the University, Simon Fraser Student Society, and the Graduate Student Society. Each semester we receive $3.00 from full-time undergraduate students and $1.50 from part-time undergraduate students. A successful graduate student referendum in Spring 2020 increased grad student membership fees and tied them to local inflation rates. As of Fall 2021 we receive $5.85 from full-time graduate students and $2.92 from part-time graduate students. After paying their student fees, all students are members of SFPIRG and can use the resources available through our centre. Non-students can also become associate members of SFPIRG and get involved with us.
What do we do with fees we collect? We offer many great services such as equity support on research, homework, and for TAs and TMs to improve their classroom environments as well as trainings for the campus community throughout the year. We offer funding for student activities and projects such as through the Usamah Ansari Creative Justice Award. We also offer resources such as projectors, art materials, and rally supplies for student events and activities. Our equity library also offers many resources on marginalised research topics such as disability justice, abolition, and the steps and skills it takes to transform the world.
We realize that not everyone shares SFPIRG’s values, so each semester we offer students the ability to revoke their membership. If you would like to opt-out, please see the COVID-19 update below. Once you opt-out, you are no longer a member of SFPIRG and will not be eligible to use the organization’s resources and services or vote in the Annual General Meeting.
*COVID-19 Update* Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fee refunds will be administered differently for the Fall 2022 semester. To receive more information about opting out of your SFPIRG membership for the Summer 2022 semester, please send an email to admin@sfpirg.ca.
Opting out of PIRG membership and fee refunds can be requested between 10am on September 26 and 5pm on Sept 29.

Release, Reset, Restore: Care-based Office Hours
2022-09-29 13:30 - 15:00, 2022-10-13 13:30 - 15:00 | online – Zoom, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Attention all SFU undergrad and grad students! SFPIRG is here to support you!
Are you dealing with racism, sexism, or other oppressive/problematic content in the course of your work, organising, or studies? Are you looking for a confidential and supportive space? Are you looking for community with folks who also care about social justice? Come and help us build a sanctuary space for you and your fellow students.
Join SFPIRG for our 2022 Care-based Office Hours series for SFU undergrad and grad students! Release, Reset, and Restore will take place on Thursday from 1:30 to 3pm, starting on September 29, 2022. The last session will be on November 24. Sessions will alternate between in-person and on-line sessions to meet the needs of our community members.
Content of these sessions will be flexible to the needs of those gathered that day but may include mindfulness activities, sharing circles, artistic practice, collective journaling, or sharing resources for those who need further support and guidance.
Please note that these are group support sessions, and so conversations may take place of a sensitive or challenging nature. In order to support a safer environment for all, we ask participants to be respectful, considerate, and compassionate throughout all sessions. Participants who are harassing, discriminating against, or deliberately harming others will be removed from the room.
We look forward to connecting with you!
How to attend:

RSVP using this form at least 1-hour prior to any session. Please register using the full name and email you will be signing into the Zoom session with (when events are digital). All in person events will take place in the SFPIRG Lounge located on the first floor of the SUB, room 1410.

Please note: if you register less than 1-hour prior to a session, we cannot guarantee that you will receive the event link for that session.

Participants will be added to the event series within the 1-hour prior to each session. If you do not receive an invitation, please be sure to check your spam folder.

You will receive a Google Calendar invitation, with a Zoom link included for the sessions occurring digitally. This link will work for all sessions!
You will be added to the Google Calendar event series, and will be registered for the full series of events – drop into any session! You only need to RSVP once.

Questions? You can reach us at engagament@sfpirg.ca for more information

Full List of Dates:

September 29 (on Zoom)
October 6 (in SFPIRG lounge)
October 13 (on Zoom)
October 20 (in SFPIRG Lounge)
October 27 (on Zoom)
November 3 (in SFPIRG Lounge)
November 10 (on Zoom)
November 17 (in SFPIRG Lounge)
November 24 (on Zoom)

Release, Reset, Restore: Care-based Office Hours
2022-10-06 13:30 - 15:00 | SFPIRG Lounge SUB 1410, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

Radical Reads: On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous
2022-10-20 11:00 - 12:30 | SFPIRG Lounge SUB 1410, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
Join the SFPIRG Rotunda Library in our first radical reads session where we will be discussing the magnificent book “On Earth We Are Briefly Beautiful” by Ocean Voung. We are excited to host this session that digs deep into personal stories of immigration, belonging, and identity in advance of our visit from Harsha Walia the following week, who will be discussing the impacts of borders and status.

During the course of this session our Rotunda Library work study students and staff will be leading participants through discussion questions. Do not feel like you have to read the entire book for this discussion to be impactful and relevant! Also, if you cannot afford to buy a copy of the book, please contact us at engagement@sfpirg.ca or visit us in the office and we can work on sourcing you a copy.

Trigger warning: this book does include homophobic slurs, mentions of bullying, violence, and trauma.

This will be an in person discussion on October 20th from 11am-12:30 in the SGPIRG Lounge SUB 1410. This is a masked space with many types of seating for any body that might be there. We are not able to offer ASL for this event. If you have specific accessibility needs, please let us know so we can work to meet them.

This is an event put on by the SFPIRG Rotunda Library, which is a network of equity-based libraries at the SFU Burnaby Campus. Other Rotunda Libraries are located in the Women’s Centre and Out on Campus. Each of these libraries offer resources, programming and services unique to their mandate.
