University of Oregon
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program

Students submit an application to the Environmental Studies Department that includes references and a writing sample, and then, if selected, are asked to come in for an interview.

Most projects are two terms long. Students get intensive training during their first term. They also get ongoing training, support and mentoring from their GTF’s, project directors and often even community partners throughout both terms. All ELP students participate in workshops to develop their communication, collaboration and leadership skills. Specific workshops include: messaging (how to talk about environmental science to different audiences), public speaking, developing posters and presenting at professional conferences, teamwork/collaboration skills, consensus decision making, running effective meetings, and developing resumes and cover letters. In addition, the "Mapping and Monitoring" teams, which focus on environmental monitoring and habitat restoration, get specific training in field data collection equipment and techniques, mapping methods, and scientific writing. The students in the "environmental education" teams get specific training in curriculum development, curriculum alignment with state standards, and facilitation techniques.

ELP is staffed by two full time non-tenure track line faculty. The equivalent of one of those persons' salaries is raised through grants, donations, and contracts. The Environmental Studies office manager provides grant support. ORSA manages most of the grants as required by the UO. ELP also works with the UO Foundation development staff.

For ELP, the 70 students served include 62 undergraduates and 8 graduate students for the 2010-2011 academic year. These only include students enrolled in ELP, as the community they "serve" is outside the UO. The degree-sseking student #s were reported to IPEDS in fall 2010.