Social Work Student Association

The Social Work Department encourages students to organize in their interests.  The Social Work Student Association (SWSA) is an officially recognized group on campus and receives funding from the Niagara University Student Government.  SWSA is open to all social work students.   Students join by contacting one of the Association's officers.  There is a small membership fee.

Officers (president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer) are elected annually by the membership.  Meetings are usually held in he Faculty Lounge in Dunleavy Hall (the nursing building across from House 1), or in Gallagher Hall, the student center.

The purposes of the Social Work Student Association are: to promote interest in social work and social work issues through association with others who are committed to a career in social work; to provide supplemental educational experience for students; to act as an advocate for students in academic and administrative matters; and to enhance social interaction among the students.   Each year, members of SWSA are responsible for selecting students to serve on the various Departmental committees.  Students are encouraged to become active in this Association.  A faculty member is appointed to serve as an advisor.

SWSA sponsors social service and social action activities on and near the Niagara University campus.  A sampling of projects that SWSA has sponsored over the past few semesters includes: Participation in the World Aids Awareness Day March in downtown Niagara Falls; sponsorship of aids educational activities during World Aids Awareness Day; and sponsorship of the "clothesline project" on campus and at local malls and bookstores to heighten awareness of domestic violence issues.

SWSA works in concert with other baccalaureate program social work student organizations within New York State to advance the interests of social work students.  Since the Fall semester of 1994, student associations across the State have been exerting political pressure on NASW (New York State Chapter) and State legislative representatives in behalf of baccalaureate program social workers who are not presently included in social work licensing proposals.