• We recognise the rich history of social creativity and resistance, while maintaining and building a community that embraces plurality and participation.
• We encourage critical thinking that inspires projects and initiatives across communities.
• We create space where diverse perspectives are able to meet, share, learn, and grow.
• As an organisation we believe the foundation for social change lies in the promotion of social and economic justice, deep ecology, and the realisation of a peaceful world. To promote positive, progressive, and ethical change, we must examine the roots of our relationships with each other and other communities of life.
• We promote and provide tools for positive change from the roots of the community; In doing so, OPIRG bridges people, organisations, and ideas, in a commitment to radical social transformation.

• Recognizing the rich history of social creativity and resistance, while seeking to maintain and carry forward a community that will continue to incubate and provide tools for Radical Social Transformation;
• Creating spaces where diverse perspectives will be able to mingle, and thus share, learn, and grow in an interdisciplinary environment;
• Encouraging progressive action that will generate Radical Social Transformation; and,
• Co-ordinating projects and initiatives across communities.

OPIRG-Carleton (the Ontario Public Interest Research Group) is a non- profit student-run organization involved in research, education and action on social and environmental issues. We operate in a democratic way, working collectively and making decisions by consensus. OPIRG-Carleton is overseen by a nine-member Board of Directors (2/3 of whom are Carleton students) elected at an Annual General Meeting and currently employs 1 full-time and 1 part-time staff. All students at Carleton University are members of OPIRG through a non-refundable fee in your tuition. Everyone is welcome to visit our office and use our resource library. Volunteers are always needed and welcome.

OPIRG-Carleton was founded in 1980 after a lecture at Carleton by famous consumer advocate Ralph Nader. The following year the majority of students voted in a referendum in favour of placing a small levy on their student fees to support OPIRG. In 1991, Carleton students again voted in support of the OPIRG, agreeing to raise the amount of the levy to its present level ( $6.30 full-time students and $2.10/$1.26 part-time Graduate/Undergraduate students).

Meredith Barrett
Meredith was appointed to the board November 3rd, 2006. Meredith is a passionate animal rights activist in her 4th year at Carleton University. She is completing a degree in Criminology and Psychology and hopes to pursue graduate work in Forensic Psychology. Inspired by her 5 beautiful rabbits, Meredith has been involved in animal rights for the last 2 years and also volunteers with Ottawa Animal Advocates. The environment, sustainability and recycling are other issues that Meredith is passionate about. Outside of school, she enjoys soccer, snowboarding, harrassing MPs for effective animal
cruelty legislation and admits that copious amounts of T