A motion proposing a referendum to defund the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group is being brought to the Federation of Students’ (FedS) General Meeting on Monday, October 28th 2013. The following faculty and staff members at the University of Waterloo commit their support of WPIRG, because: • WPIRG readily facilitates workshops and speaking events that support the dissemination of crucial, critical and contemporary knowledge about social/environmental justice while encouraging student-led research and community connections. • WPIRG has a dependable and dedicated volunteer base consisting mainly of undergraduate students who work towards human rights, equality and environmental justice on the UW Campus and in Kitchener-Waterloo community. • WPIRG’s volunteer Board of Directors is comprised of a majority of elected undergraduate students, and provides training and support in areas such as conflict resolution, finance for non-profits and consensus decision-making. • WPIRG allows a full refund of $4.75 to any undergraduate student at the beginning of a new term and, as students are often in financial need, advertises a bursary for $1,000 per year going to 2 students trying to balance academic and community involvement. • WPIRG provides job opportunities for students throughout the year, in socially and environmentally conscious positions, paying $15 per hour – higher than other positions for casual work at UW. • In the 40 years WPIRG has functioned at UW, Faculty members across a spectrum of departments have worked with and contributed to WPIRG’s work, helping to make WPIRG a valuable resource for students and their community.