Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group

[snowwalker]

Hello Dalhousie,

For a moment I thought: "I am surprised that no one in the Dal community has posted anything about this" but then I thought maybe I should say something.

NSPIRG is a highly respected, community-based, student organization dedicated to informing the Dalhousie student body and general public in environmental and social matters that

Comments

[aemasu]

Thanks for the post! Wish I had spotted this last night, I would have liked a few questions answered by NSPRIG.

I'd also like to thank you for providing a link to both sides of the issue.

[snowwalker]

Honestly, I probably should have posted this a few days ago. I think it is an important issue.

Personally, I think that NSPIRG has done some great work over the years, and has produced far more valuable results then the amount of money simply paid in.

I am not one to censor opinions, even if I disagree with them (I find that poor argument often defeat themselves...).

Even if NSPIRG needs to be restructured after nineteen years of operation, the Stopnspirg campaign is call for their termination --which I don't think is right.

Glad to hear that you have an interest.

[aemasu]

Termination of a group that's gone off track is rarely the smart thing. Booting them out of the SUB I personally think is ridculous.

However, I do think that NSPRIG has gone astray. I find most of their events are much more of a personal vendetta than an NSPRIG thing. They need to be reined in, but terminated? Not at all.

[canadianchrisk]

I don't care what they do. I'm just pissed off that they make it as hard as possible for students to opt-out of paying them. I don't trust an organization that employs such sneaky tactics.

[snowwalker]

How is it difficult? I walked into their office for the first time when I was exploring the campus as a first year student. I asked them some questions, including what they do and how they get funding, and they told me what the levy was and offered immediately to give me a toonie. I decided to let them keep them money.

I do not understand how this is sneaky. In the past I have found folks at NSPIRG to be very open and honest.

When did you ask them for a refund? Did you have a different experience?

[canadianchrisk]

I cannot remember the exact date I asked for a refund. But I was informed that their opt out period had not begun and that they would advertise when it was to happen. I managed to opt out only once. I read the Gazette every day looking for the opt out period and found that I could opt out only over a two week period and only during the morning (or afternoon...I can't remember but it was during a 2 hour period on one end or the other). I recall showing up to their office at my convenience during normal operating hours to find the office open, but abandoned

[snowwalker]

You seem to have had very poor luck with finding someone available who was able to handle their finances; and a very different experience than myself (and many others). I'm sorry it has left such a bad impression on you.