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This page contains a brief history of the Niagara Social Work Department and information about how the Department is organized. It also describes how students are involved in the operation of the Department.
HISTORY OF NIAGARA'S ACCREDITED DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
The Social Work Program was initiated and developed by two professors in the Sociology Department, Dr. Roslyn Gerard and Dr. Stewart B. Whitney, in the early 1970's. At this time, there were many sociology students who wanted careers in social work and there was a strong need in the community for child welfare practitioners. At that time, students only had the opportunity to enroll in sociology electives with social work practice emphasis. These courses were taught by faculty with doctoral degrees in sociology and the Master's in Social Work degree. The results of a feasibility study among sociology alumni, current students, and community agencies strongly indicated that the development of a separate social work degree was needed.
In 1974, the late sociology professor, Dr. Nicholas Caggiano, submitted a proposal to the University's Board of Trustees to create a new social work degree program that would be housed within the Sociology Department. There was great enthusiasm in the university community for this initiative because the establishment of a professional degree program would serve and assist the poor and oppressed in the surrounding communities and it would help fulfill the University's Vincentian mission.
The proposal was approved and in 1975, Steve Knezevich, M.S.W., became the first social work program chair. Two other faculty members joined him, Larry Mallakie, M.S.W., and Ann Schaeffer, M.S.W., who was appointed as the field coordinator. Approximately 20 students enrolled in the program.
Later in May of 1976, the Department of Social Work was approved by the New York State Education Department as a registered degree program. In 1980, under leadership of Professor John Hickey, the Department of Social Work became an independent academic department within the College of Arts and Sciences in order to establish autonomy, a requirement for accreditation by CSWE. Dr. Roslyn Gerard was the main author of the first self-study.
The Social Work Department was successfully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in January of 1982 and at that time had approximately 40 students enrolled. The majority of these students were traditional age full-time students. Subsequently, the Department was reaccredited in 1985, 1989, 1992, and in 1997. CSWE requires that social work programs reapply for continuing accredited status in cycles of up to eight years. During the academic year 2003/2004 the program will be reviewed.
Since its initial accreditation, the Department has undergone many changes. The number of students enrolled in the Department has expanded (on average 65 students each year), and include traditional and non-traditional students, American and Canadian students, full-time and part-time students.
The present faculty, who all have Ph.D.'s and M.S.W.'s and who have been a team since the Fall of 1994, revisioned the Department's mission and its definition of generalist social work practice. These changes are reflected in a curriculum that emphasizes the alleviation of poverty and empowerment.
GOVERNANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 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.
Listed below are the Advisory Board Members for the 2003-2004 Academic Year:
Katie Adams, BSW - Alumnus of Niagara University and enrolled in the Law/Social Work Degree Program at UB
Lyn Angus, MSW - Behavioral Therapist at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Community Mental Health Center and secretary of Advisory Board.
Mark Bonacci, Ph.D. - Niagara County Community College Human Services Faculty Member
Sr. Hilary Davis, DC, MSW - Social Worker at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center
Arlene Doss, BSW - Case Manager at The Lighthouse, Lakeshore Behavioral Health, Inc.
Phil Durrant, MSW, Co-ordinator, Social Service Worker Program, Niagara College, Welland, Ontario
Patrick Eagan, BSW - Social Worker at Niagara Hospice
Beth Foster, DIP, CS - Contact Niagara, St. Catharines, ON
Laura Grube, CSW - Coordinator, Counseling and Advocacy Program at Haven House, Buffalo, NY and part-time instructor of Social Work at Niagara University
Kathleen Hall, CSW-R - Catholic Charities of Buffalo
Clementine U.M. Laverman, Ph.D. - Director, Social Work Department, Niagara University
Christine Montreuil, BSW - Alumnus of Niagara University and completing MSW at University of Toronto
Kathleen Pautler - Director of The Center for Independent Living, Niagara Falls, NY
Dan Silver, BSW - Alumnus of Niagara University and Manager of Operations, Niagara Regional Housing, Thorold, Ontario. MBA in progress.
The first meeting of the 2003-04 academic year took place on August 20, 2003. Another meeting will take place during the Spring 2004 semester.
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