Niagara University-Social Work

Governance of the Department of Social Work is the responsibility of the appointed Program Director, faculty and students. The director is responsible for the development and enhancement of the program, budget preparation and allocation of funds. In addition, the Program Director is responsible for assuring an appropriate system of student governance and student participation in the formulation of academic policy and curriculum. The Coordinator of Field Practicum is responsible for assignment and monitoring of field instruction placements, conducting the field seminars and the planning of workshops for field practicum instructors.

Student participation in the governance of our Department is vital to our success. Participation provides the students with a voice in how their Department is governed. It is an empowering practice for students to be active participants in decision making, program planning, and the general operation of the Department. Faculty want students to be active, to provide a "student point of view" on matters such as our goals and objectives, course content, course scheduling, field practicum options, and so forth. Departmental Committees, described in detail below, provide students with a structured opportunity to develop professional behaviors through practicing leadership, communication skills and through participation in organizational analysis, change and democratic decision making.

Departmental Committees

The major opportunities for student involvement are through participation on Social Work

Department committees and at Town Hall meetings. Student representatives for each committee are selected by the Social Work Student Association. See page 28 for more information on the Social Work Student Association. Students are encouraged to contact student representatives to express their concerns regarding curriculum, field practicum, admission, evaluation of the Program, library, and faculty affairs.

Curriculum Committee has the responsibility for evaluation and recommendation on all matters pertaining to curriculum policy, planning and implementation of courses. The committee is comprised of two faculty members and two students. A faculty member will chair the committee. Students are elected by the Social Work Student Association. The term of office for student members is one year.

Field Practicum Committee has the responsibility for evaluation and recommendation on all matters pertaining to field practicum policy, planning and implementation. The committee is comprised of the coordinator of field practicum (chair of the committee), three field practicum instructors and two students who are enrolled in SWK 425 and/or 426. Students are elected by the Social Work Student Association. The term of office for student members is the time period of enrollment in field practicum.

Admission Committee has the responsibility for evaluation and recommendation on all matters pertaining to admission policy, planning and implementation. The committee is comprised of two faculty members and two students who are admitted to the major. A faculty member will chair the committee. Students are elected by the Social Work Student Association. The term of office for the student members is one year.

Evaluation Committee has the responsibility for the systematic evaluation of the degree of achievement of the program's objectives. Students assist with data gathering procedures. The committee is comprised of the Program Director (chair

of the committee) and two students who are admitted to the major. Student members are elected by the Social Work Student Association. The term of office for student members is one year.

Library Committee has the responsibility for evaluation and recommendation on all matters pertaining to the program's library holdings. The committee is comprised of one faculty member (chair of the committee) and two students. Student members are elected by the Social Work Student Association. The term of office for student members is one year.

Faculty Affairs Committee is charged with reporting findings and recommendation regarding issues such as faculty recruitment, grievance procedures, review procedures for hiring and termination of part-time faculty, and evaluation of instruction. The committee is comprised of two full-time faculty members, one part-time faculty member, two members of the advisory board and three students. Students are elected by the Social Work Student Association and serve a one year term. The members of the advisory board are elected by the advisory board. The Program Director chairs the committee unless the program chair is being reviewed. A chair pro-tempore is appointed to conduct the meetings and report the findings.

Town Hall Meetings

Town Hall Meetings are chaired by the Program Director.

The town hall meetings are designed to assure participation of faculty, staff and students in the governance of the program. The program's committees report their findings and make recommendations to the faculty, staff and students in attendance. The President of the Social Work Student Association reports on activities, ideas and concerns of the students. Town Hall meetings are scheduled at least once a semester.

Advisory Board

The advisory board serves as a liaison between the Social Work Department and the professional social work community. It provides a means for the Department to be responsive to community needs particularly in relation to curriculum, field practicum and employment opportunities. It also provides a source of community support for the Department and promotes understanding and acceptance of the baccalaureate program practitioner as a professional. In carrying out these responsibilities the board may:

Provide advice on methods to improve the baccalaureate program (curriculum, field practicum, faculty);

Provide assistance in student recruitment and retention, special attention given to the recruitment and retention of minority students;

Periodically review the relevance of curriculum to practice;

Assist in promoting employment opportunities for the Department's graduates.

The advisory board is comprised of 10 professionals of the social work community, the Program Director and the Coordinator of Field Practicum. The Program Director is responsible for the appointment of the chair and the scheduling of board meetings.