NYPIRG looking forward to a productive spring semester.

Buffalo State's New York Public Interest Research Group chapter is starting the spring semester with a new project coordinator and a slate of events planned, bringing awareness to issues like poverty, consumer advocacy, voting rights and the environment.

Former student volunteer and Buffalo State graduate Patty Ceravole is taking over the post vacated over the winter break when previous project coordinator Donnelle Piscitelli split with the organization. Ceravole has been active with the organization in Buffalo for the last two years.

Originally from Carmel, Ceravole came to Buffalo to go to Buffalo State, and hasn't looked back.

"Although I would consider downstate home, Buffalo's become a lot more like home for me," she said. "I really love it up here, and I definitely think, if not indefinitely, I'll definitely be here for quite a while."

Several projects are in the works for the semester, including a Small Claims Court Action Center, which is being set up to assist people who are going to small claims court, and need legal assistance. Disputes with landlords over issues with security deposits are a common example of what is heard in small claims court, she said.

People aren't sure how to approach the proceedings, and the action center will provide advice on how to proceed to people who are "underrepresented," said Nathan Rey, chief justice of United Students Government Judicial Council and the NYPIRG intern in charge of the Small Claims Court Action Center.

"People have no idea what's going on, and get bullied into pleading guilty," he said.

The organization is also working on a weeklong event placing an emphasis on poverty, Ceravole said.

"We have one event planned for every day," she said. "Each event will be shedding a light on poverty."

Activities will include a "poverty cocktail party," where attendees will receive a ticket listing their income bracket. Those in low end brackets will receive food and drink commensurate with being poor, and those in upper brackets will receive higher quality items. A peanut butter and jelly "jam" is also being planned, which will allow students to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for local shelters. Students will also be able to write personal notes to the recipients of the sandwiches.

With the upcoming Republican Primary in New York and the presidential election in the fall, NYPIRG also plans on starting their yearly voter drive early this year, Ceravole said.

Part of the goal for voting rights is educating people on what's happening in politics, said hospitality major Alex Bornemisza, who's been with NYPIRG for the last year.

"Since we're nonpartisan, we just want to stick to the idea of using your right to vote," he said. "As long as you know what you're voting for."

Ceravole is looking forward to seeing how the semester plays out, she said, and she's happy to be back at Buffalo State.

"I love it here," she said. "I've been really, really, lucky."

Michael Canfield can be reached by email at canfield.record@live.com.