ESLP’s Key Terms & Values 

This page serves as a glossary for ESLP’s key terms. Here you can find our commonly used jargon with accompanying definitions that are organized by the following: Courses, Focuses/Goals, Events, and Membership.

Courses:

  • Spring Series - A student-run course facilitated by students who are enrolled. This is a two part course: a lecture by and the workshops by invited speakers. It can be taken as a 5-unit or a 2-unit course. 

*Known as CRSN 161/61

Focuses and Goals: 

  • Sustainability - A solution-driven action to the climate crisis that includes:

    • Promoting a high quality of life now and for future generations

    • Holistic respect for all living things and an understanding that resources are limited 

    • Intersection of social, economic, and environmental practices

    • Necessary in education 

    • Thoughts and actions that promote the longevity of the environment

  • Horizontal Education (Learning) - This structure is a primary focus in our created courses and organization. It refers to dismantling power dynamics seen in academia. We implement this structure into our org by embracing student agency, having discussion-based classes, and using a non-hierarchical system. 

  • Facilitation -  Differs from traditional teaching by guiding engaging conversations rather than telling the students what they should know. This includes collaborative learning and empowerment by not giving the power of credentials to determine eligibility. 

  • Pedagogy of the Oppressed (POTO) - This is the book that influences ESLP’s core values regarding to power dynamics within academia and carrying out horizontal education. It discusses the teacher vs. student relationship in education and works to discuss and dismantle these hierarchical structures. 

    • Banking method of education - This is a method heavily criticized in chapter 2 of the book (pg. 72). The concept imposes ignorance on students and presumes teachers as knowledgeable. It treats students as deposits to be filled with whatever “truth” they’re taught by educators to make them adaptable members of society. 

    • Problem-posing method of education - This method values communication. Both parties, the teacher and the student, are involved in pursuing knowledge and share  responsibility for the growing process. It is offered as an alternative to the banking method and prioritizes Horizontal Learning.

Events: 

  • Enviroslug Retreat - A quarterly get-together that includes all of the Enviroslug organizations (ESLP, SEC, CSC).   The itinerary would consist of bonding, workshops, engaging discussion, and speakers. 

  • Earth Summit - An Enviroslug-run event that takes place around Earth Day, or in April. It is one of the longest-running events on campus and helps initiate important conversations and identify sustainable projects. Each year, there is a new theme (relative to sustainability) that reflects current events. This event consists of pop-up booths, food, and activities. 

Membership 

  • CORE - Refers to all members of the organization. We have weekly “CORE” meetings that are used for tackling the most prioritized agenda items as a team.

    • Spheres - These are the groups that make up CORE. Each sphere has different focuses and tasks they work on towards the organization as a whole. In CORE meetings, individuals from each sphere will present their concerns/news/information to the space.

      • Aca: Short for academics, the focus is on the two classes put on. In charge of training and instruction of facilitators for Action Research Teams and class logistics.

      • Personnel: Focuses on keeping ESLP together → the “glue.” Runs event planning such as org check-ins and retreats.

      • Heart: In charge of selecting, coordinating, and maintaining communication with guest speakers for our spring series class.

      • Collab: Short for collaboration, in charge of outreach, including social media and event planning throughout the year. 

      • Fiscal: Keeps track of budgeting for each sphere and any other finances for the year.

  • Monthly Task Report (MTR) - Timesheets used to keep track of the hours spent on tasks and meetings. These are turned in by the end of each quarter for internship credit, volunteer participation, and employment. 

  • Mid-quarter check-ins - Two to three hour meetings each quarter during  anytime in week 5-week 7. During this meeting, there are general capacity checks and important, all org, conversations that weren’t able to be discussed in CORE meetings. 

  • Final Evaluations - End of the year meetings that are used as a time of self reflection on the quarter, the spheres, and what we have done individually. Everyone collectively discusses one another and their efforts. In final evals, individuals do a self-evaluation with a proposal for the following quarter, all members vote on the proposal, and then feedback is given. 

    • Proposals - Members propose their role for the quarter and their role for the next quarter (if they decide to be a returning member). These roles include 2 or 5-unit internships, volunteers, signers, and paid organizers.