Events and Resources

In addition to the educational program offered, the Social Work Department has a variety of groups, activities, and resources which enhance the quality of life in the Department for students and faculty alike. The following describes the major events and groups. However, other special activities are likely to develop throughout the semester.

The Resource Room serves as a study room and meeting place for Social Work student activities and meetings as well as the "home" for the Department. Social Work journals, NASW membership materials, graduate program information, and job and volunteer opportunities are located in this room as well. The Resource Room provides a quiet meeting and/or study space for Social Work students who want to develop relationships with their fellow students and the faculty.

The Resource Room also contains the student mailboxes. Each Social Work major is assigned a personal mailbox. Official communication from the Department and/or faculty i.e. faculty comments on assignments, schedule changes, event announcements, will be placed in the student boxes. Students are responsible for checking their mailboxes regularly for such communication.  A picture of each student is attached to her/his mailbox.  Please see the department secretary to have your picture taken when you join the major.

Student Social Work Organization (SWO)

SWO is a vehicle that can provide you with an opportunity to broader your understanding, awareness, and learning about current social work issues as well as offering opportunities to do voluntary community services (i.e. graduate training, area social work agencies, guest speakers on Social Work related topics). Active volunteer community service experiences have been varied and include: St. Francis Soup Kitchen, the renovation of a horse farm, clothing drive for the homeless, and door-to-door food drives.

SWO often sponsors scheduling workshops to assist students in course selections. Be sure to check the bulletin board for dates and times. Many students report these workshops are extremely helpful.

SWO can do many things. It can:

• be used to carry program development concerns and issues from the Social Work student body to the faculty.
• be used as a means for social functions or get togethers.
• help students become familiar with one another, the program, and sharing information about course selection.
• be especially helpful to the new Social Work student by orienting them to the "culture" of the Department.

SWO is your organization. All Social Work majors are automatically members of SWO. A one dollar per year membership fee is expected of all students to cover costs of programs and parties. One faculty member serves as consultant to SWO to assist the organization in accessing resources and implementing activities. Come to a SWO meeting and sign up. It is a means of having "a say" in your educational process. It can make your involvement with the total Social Work program a more enjoyable and personal experience.

The current president is Liz Mixell and her email address is em0624@ship.edu.

All Department Meeting

During the second week of the Fall semester a full Department meeting will be held. All Social Work students and faculty are required to attend. The purpose of the meeting is for new students to meet faculty and for returning students to become reacquainted. Department goals for the year are discussed. The time of the meeting will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Senior Orals Presentation

During the last week of classes of each semester Social Work students who have completed their field work practicum will present an oral summary of their field and academic experiences and how they tie to their plans for the future. All Social Work students are encouraged to attend to learn about what is in store for all of you in the coming years. This event may be required in some social work courses.

Phi Alpha

Phi Alpha is the National Social Work Honor Society with Alpha Lambda being the Shippensburg Chapter. This society provides students with an opportunity for professional growth and development of leadership skills. Each semester the group carries out a community service project and a fund raiser. Members are given the opportunity to attend faculty meetings, and the organization maintains a relationship with the Social Work Alumni Association. Qualifications for membership are 12 semester hours in social work or admission into the professional standing level of the major. A GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.5 in Social Work must be maintained. (These qualifications are pending approval by the National Office of Phi Alpha.)

Special Events

The Social Work Department, Phi Alpha, and SWO support and sponsor a range of activities related to the profession and special populations. The activities are designed to increase the students' awareness of Social Work issues and professional trends. Examples of activities include: cultural diversity skits/discussions; field trips to NASW headquarters; attendance at NASW National Conference; guest speakers on AIDS, the state of America's families and children, and other relevant topics; an informational fair on Social Work practice; and celebration of Social Work month in March of each year.