INPIRG to hold call-out meeting Tuesday

Today's youth are asked to enter society not only as educated college graduates, but as informed contributors to a democratic society. The Indiana Public Interest Research Group, which seeks to help students accomplish such goals, will be holding a call-out meeting Tuesday to recruit members and discuss this semester's campaign focuses. \nINPIRG is a student organization dedicated to teaching members how to function as more active constituents within a democratic society, according to the group's Web site. Currently, INPIRG is running three separate public interest campaigns concerning the environment, higher education and fighting poverty. \nSophomore campaign leader Brendon Liner said he believes the breadth of issues addressed makes INPIRG strong. \n"INPIRG, with its campaigns on higher education, hunger and homelessness, and clean energy is one of the most active special interest groups on campus," Liner said.\nLiner leads the Higher Education Affordability campaign, which works to alleviate student debt from loans. The campaign intends to lower interest rates and book prices for students.\n"The issues facing higher education at this time are extremely urgent. Almost half of all undergrad seniors graduate with more than $19,000 in student loan debt," Liner said. "INPIRG is the only organization on campus actively attempting to reform student loans and help reduce college debt."\nThe Clean Energy campaign, guided by sophomore Lucy Frick, strives to convince IU officials to better manage energy resources at the University. \n"We want to show the \nUniversity how much more efficient our energy use could be," Frick said in an e-mail. "I can't think how many classrooms I've sat in that have been entirely too cold or too hot -- windows stay open in the winter because it's so hot, and they remain open in the summer because buildings get so cold." \nThe Clean Energy campaign also focuses on finding safe, clean sources of energy. According to an INPIRG press release, "The campaign is using (Public Interest Research Group) audit forms to find out what sources of clean energy IU is eligible for and various resources to raise a voice and awareness for clean energy." \nThe Hunger and Homelessness campaign, which focuses on bringing relief and hope to needy Monroe County residents, raises money and awareness for the impoverished in the Bloomington community. The press release states that the campaign is focused on helping Bloomington's more than 4,000 homeless. Fundraising proceeds go to soup kitchens and purchasing bus passes for people who would not otherwise have a way of getting to work.\nStudents participating in INPIRG campaigns work as interns or volunteers within a campaign. Interns can earn between three and six credits working on a particular campaign. Frick said volunteers are allowed to work according to their own schedule, and are not bound to work a certain amount of time per semester. \n"If you're interested in joining INPIRG, come on out," Frick said. "We welcome everyone. We've got people of all shades of the political and religious spectrum." \nThe call-out meeting will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Ballantine Hall 144.