The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA)

---

The Social Welfare Graduate Assembly (SWGA) is a student run organization that represents the graduate student body at the School of Social Welfare. SWGA, the organized voice of the students, believes that foresight, inclusiveness, and coordinated student participation is essential to a sustainable, accountable, and successful MSW program. At the university level, SWGA represents the School of Social Welfare at the Graduate Assembly and works with the Social Welfare Alumni Association. Within the School of Social Welfare, SWGA participates in the governance of the School by providing student input and student representation on academic and curriculum committees, policy issues and changes, and on issues pertaining to diversity and cultural competence. In addition, SWGA coordinates social and educational events for the student body of the school.

SWGA represents both first and second year graduate students. Its officers and committees follow:

• SWGA Officers: Co-Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
  
  
• SWGA Ad-Hoc Committee Positions: Events Coordinator, Announcement Board Manager, Representative to the Graduate Assembly, NASW Representative, Alumni Association Representative, SWGA Web Manager
  
  
• School of Social Welfare Committees Requiring Student Representatives: Executive Committee, MSW Program Committee, Research Curriculum Planning Group, Social Policy Curriculum Planning Group, Methods and Field Work Curriculum Planning Group, Human Behavior and the Social Environment Curriculum Planning Group, Diversity Committee, MSW/MPH Dual Degree Committee, Departmental Teaching Staff, IV-E Oversight Committee, MAP Committee, PPSC (School Social Work) Committee

The School of Social Welfare supports student participation in the development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of the graduate program. Student representatives on school committees provide the school critical input from various perspectives. SWGA has a fundamental goal to support and assist students in their pursuit of a graduate education.

SWGA Membership

SWGA provides the school critical input from various student perspectives -- including Management and Planning (MAP), Community Mental Health, Children and Families, Health, and Gerontology.

SWGA encourages student input (either oral, written, or e-mail) at its meetings. It is part of SWGA's goal to "be the voice of the students." To ensure maximum student participation, meetings are held on campus, on a monthly basis, and on alternating evenings when possible. SWGA recognizes that students have different schedules and meetings are scheduled to accommodate the majority of students.

SWGA also serves as the parent organization of several caucuses within the School of Social Welfare. The caucuses symbolize the diversity within the School and provide a unique opportunity for various groups to come together, represent the concerns of their members in a safe environment, and to socialize.

SWGA student caucuses include the:

• American Indian Caucus
• Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus
• Black Student Caucus
• Christian Caucus
• Jewish Caucus
• La Raza Caucus
• Queer Caucus
• Social Justice Caucus
• Student Parent Caucus

Student participation is the key to SWGA's success. All students are encouraged to get involved!