Spring Break
The Daily OrangeNYPIRG names new project coordinator
By Kevin Sajdak
Posted: 8/31/05, 11:10 PM EST Section: News
As Syracuse University ushers in its largest incoming freshman class ever, it also welcomes another new face to campus.
Rebecca Covington was recently named project coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group and said she is looking forward to working with the SU and State University of New York School of Environmental Science and Forestry. Covington also has the confidence of past and present coworkers.
"If you give (Covington) a task, you know it will be completed and done well," said Sara Cashman, who co-chaired a campus Public Interest Research Group branch alongside Covington at the University of Minnesota.
NYPIRG is the state-wide environmental and consumer advocacy group. Ralph Nader founded the PIRG in the 1970s and there are now respective PIRGs in 35 states. All state PIRGs are represented by USPIRG, except NYPIRG and MPIRG, said Covington.
Covington, who has taken over for Tim Marvin, said she expects "a lot of energy on campus," between the SU and SUNY-ESF communities.
A lot of Covington's success at NYPIRG will depend on her ability to attract new students to the non-partisan organization, especially in an off-year for national elections.
Covington acknowledged students may feel less politically charged than last year, but is still up for the challenge.
"We can run our own events without the distraction of a national election," Covington said. Getting students politically active during a national election is "a piece of cake."
Some of these events include a food drive as well as publishing a report on off-campus landlords.
While there is no typical day-in, day-out routine for Covington, she spent this week drafting an introduction letter to the SU faculty, doing logistical tasks in the Crouse Street office, as well as hanging posters around campus.
Kari Rudd, another MPIRG colleague, expressed no doubt in Covington's ability to make students feel at ease. Rudd said Covington had a way of making even the most daunting, boring tasks seem fun.
"She's outgoing when she wants to be but quiet when she needs to be," said Suser. He said he expects more students to join NYPIRG and build on an already solid core staff.
The 26-year-old Corcoran, Minnesota native credits Marvin for laying a "very good foundation" by training some dedicated student activists.
"Their passion, with my drive, will make for a very exciting year here," Covington said.
One of these student activists, Rosemary Fanelli, is just grateful to have a great female role model who has dedicated part of her life to grassroots organizing.
"I think it's really important to have a great woman leader," said Fanelli, a second year graduate student at SUNY-ESF. "I can really relate to her."
Rebecca Covington was recently named project coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group and said she is looking forward to working with the SU and State University of New York School of Environmental Science and Forestry. Covington also has the confidence of past and present coworkers.
"If you give (Covington) a task, you know it will be completed and done well," said Sara Cashman, who co-chaired a campus Public Interest Research Group branch alongside Covington at the University of Minnesota.
NYPIRG is the state-wide environmental and consumer advocacy group. Ralph Nader founded the PIRG in the 1970s and there are now respective PIRGs in 35 states. All state PIRGs are represented by USPIRG, except NYPIRG and MPIRG, said Covington.
Covington, who has taken over for Tim Marvin, said she expects "a lot of energy on campus," between the SU and SUNY-ESF communities.
A lot of Covington's success at NYPIRG will depend on her ability to attract new students to the non-partisan organization, especially in an off-year for national elections.
Covington acknowledged students may feel less politically charged than last year, but is still up for the challenge.
"We can run our own events without the distraction of a national election," Covington said. Getting students politically active during a national election is "a piece of cake."
Some of these events include a food drive as well as publishing a report on off-campus landlords.
While there is no typical day-in, day-out routine for Covington, she spent this week drafting an introduction letter to the SU faculty, doing logistical tasks in the Crouse Street office, as well as hanging posters around campus.
Kari Rudd, another MPIRG colleague, expressed no doubt in Covington's ability to make students feel at ease. Rudd said Covington had a way of making even the most daunting, boring tasks seem fun.
"She's outgoing when she wants to be but quiet when she needs to be," said Suser. He said he expects more students to join NYPIRG and build on an already solid core staff.
The 26-year-old Corcoran, Minnesota native credits Marvin for laying a "very good foundation" by training some dedicated student activists.
"Their passion, with my drive, will make for a very exciting year here," Covington said.
One of these student activists, Rosemary Fanelli, is just grateful to have a great female role model who has dedicated part of her life to grassroots organizing.
"I think it's really important to have a great woman leader," said Fanelli, a second year graduate student at SUNY-ESF. "I can really relate to her."
