VSTEP, the Vermont Student Environmental Program, is engaged in a host of exciting activities these days. VSTEP serves as the umbrella organization for several groups focussed on environmental and social justice concern and action. We are dedicated to broadening the definition of environmental injustice to include all forms of oppression. In addition, we are striving to address environmental issues in a more holistic way.
In conjunction with other VSTEP groups and the progressive coalition, Student Environmental Action (SEAC) organized a campus boycott and "speak out" for the "Student National Day to Free Burma/Boycott Pepsi" last fall, which coincided with the then pending arrival of Taco Bell to campus. An "experimental cafe" was kicked off at the October 27th rally while students spoke out on their concerns with UVM's lack of support of community business, PepsiCo's investment in human rights abuses in Burma, health issues, Taco Bell's racist advertising schemes and other issues. At the rally students sold zesty bean burritos made primarily from local products. This demonstration was an effort to spark students to envision their own hopes for the UVM campus and to show that collective empowerment can make a difference in our own educational environment. The cafe was a great success .
Some of the other VSTEP activities:
WHO - Whole Health Organization: This newly formed group is concerned with a variety of issues related to personal and community health. Among these issues are vegetarian and vegan food choices and holistic health and wellness.
FIG - Forest Issues Group: Members participated in a Fall Hike-a-Thon to raise money for the Lambrooke campaign. Lambrooke is the largest roadless area in VT and is being threatened by clearcutting. FIG is also calling for student action on a number of critical forest issues in Congress.
YEO - Youth Education Outreach: Students working in YEO have taught third grade students at Edmunds Elementary School in Burlington. They engaged students in an exploration of the hydrologic cycle as well as the effects of pollution on our water supplies, aquatic life, and soils.
Radish Jubilee - This new group is dedicated to social and environmental activism through street theater performance (a la Bread and Puppet). The group hopes to bring about community awareness on a range of issues and to call for community action by using fun to relay their message.
SEAC - Student Environmental Action Coalition: Thirteen UVM students attended the National SEAC Conference this fall in North Carolina. They returned with renewed fervor and energy, ready for action. The conference explored issues of environmental racism and the need for environmentalists to broaden and deepen their understanding of a more inclusive definition of social justice and action.
To inquire further about any of these efforts, or to bring your own concerns to the VSTEP community, please visit our office in Billings Student Center. For further information please call: 656-4484.
The Environmental Studies Student Advisory Panel (ESSAP) worked on a variety of projects this fall. From efforts that began last spring with the "Green-Up Day" in the Centennial Woods Natural Area, we continued our project by partially reconstructi ng and extending a boardwalk through the wetland near the entrance to the area. This was a joint effort by 20 volunteers from ESSAP, the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and Ameri-Corps that took place on the Vermont Youth Conservation Servathon Day. We hope that the remaining 200 feet of the boardwalk reconstruction will resume this spring.
This fall Jamie Brown ‘96 and Heather Kaplan ‘97 did a wonderful job as the ESSAP representatives on the Environmental Program Self-Study Committee. ESSAP developed a Peer Mentor Program this fall where ENVS juniors and seniors were paired up with first year ENVS students to offer informal support and advising on course selection for spring semester. ESSAP offers peer advising sessions during the weeks prior to pre-registration. These sessions are open for any ENVS students who would like a dvising on course options.
As a link between faculty and students, ESSAP is an organization that is beneficial to all members of the Environmental Program community. We are always open to new members and new ideas that will help improve the organization and the Program. For more i nformation contact ESSAP through The Bittersweet, 656-4055.