School Committees & Student Reps

We value student feedback on our educational programs and encourage our students to apply to be a representative to work alongside faculty, staff, and administration on various school-wide committees.

As a student representative, you’ll serve as the voice for SSW students and collaborate with committee members and communicate the group’s work to the student body.

Ideally, candidates will serve a 12–18-month term, with the option to renew for a second year and can be from any of our programs (On-Campus, Online or Off-Campus and Worcester Hybrid). We hope to have membership that represents the diversity of the SSW community.

Requirements:

  • Student should be in good academic standing (including a 3.0 GPA or above, no incompletes in coursework or practicum, and on track to graduate).
  • Student need to be available to begin their term in January.
  • Students must be able to commit to a full term. (Please note: many committees do not meet in the summer months)

Click here to apply to be a student representative.

Committees

Academic Affairs Committee

The Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) ensures that academic programs, practicum education and curriculum are aligned with the mission of BUSSW and the Council on Social Work Education; are rigorous; and represent a high standard of excellence. The AAC is charged with the critical responsibility of reviewing and approving academic programs; developing new and revised curriculum, including courses and practicum education; and developing or revising policy governing academic standing, code of ethics, and code of conduct.

The AAC ensures the quality and coherence of academic programs and practicum education within BUSSW through systematic and rigorous review. Consistent with university policies on academic freedom and student code of conduct, the AAC develops, reviews, and recommends (as appropriate) new and revised policy relevant to academic standing, code of ethics, and code of professional conduct.

The AAC responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing program and certificate proposals and advancing approved proposals to Faculty for discussion and vote. If approved, advance to the Graduate Academic Programs and Policies (GAPP) Committee via eCAP.
  • Reviewing course proposals and advancing approved proposals to the Registrar, Office of Academic Affairs, and eCAP as required. This includes analysis and alignment of courses across program platforms (CRC, Hybrid, OLP).
  • Reviewing proposals for dissolution of existing courses, specializations, and programs and recommends approved dissolutions to the Faculty.
  • Developing new policy, reviews existing academic standards and policies, revises the Handbook on Policies & Procedures on an annual basis, and makes recommendations for additions and changes to the Faculty.
  • Collaborating with Department Chairs & Coordinators, Program Assessment Committee, and the Office of Career Development and Alumni Relations to effect regular, systematic academic program review and to promote continuous program innovation.
  • Collaborating with the Office of Data & Enrollment Management to ensure that approved changes to courses and programs are reflected in relevant University systems, such as the course inventory and the Academic Bulletin.
  • Communicating major programmatic and policy changes to the SSW community (faculty, staff, administrators, admissions, and students). 

Student representatives on the Academic Affairs Committee will be expected to attend and participate in committee meetings and discussion, offer student perspectives and recommendations on academic policies and their potential impact on students, and consider curriculum and programmatic changes and needs.

Meeting times: monthly, Tuesdays 10:15-11:30 am

Academic and Professional Standards Committee (APS – formerly Status Review)

This committee has jurisdiction over: (a) acts of academic misconduct on the part of any student enrolled in a course taught at BUSSW, whether that student is enrolled in BUSSW or some other academic unit at the University or any other college or university; and (b) any act of academic misconduct not related to a course by any student enrolled in BUSSW. The Committee will have jurisdiction over acts of misconduct pertaining to course credits earned in the BUSSW by any person. This shall include any person who has received an MSW or PhD degree from BUSSW. The Committee will follow the same procedures for suspected violations of non-academic violations of the Code of Conduct.

Committee Membership:

  • Faculty and staff members appointed by the Dean, one of whom shall serve as Chair, and
  • Three (3) students:
    • two 2nd year graduate students
    • one PhD student

The quorum for hearings shall be five (5) voting members of the committee, at least three of whom shall be faculty members. Students on the committee are voting members.

The student members on the committee will have responsibility for reviewing all materials related to Status Review hearings prior to Committee meetings and will participate in hearings as a full voting member. The estimated time commitment for student members is roughly 10-20 hours per semester.

Meeting Times: scheduled as needed

Admissions and Financial Aid Committee (AFAC)

The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee plays a key role in advising on the school’s student recruitment program. This involves identifying strategic goals and providing input on the development and evaluation of policies and procedures for application review and the awarding of financial aid.

Committee Membership:

The Committee shall be comprised of:

  • Four faculty members, to be appointed by the Dean. Consideration shall be given to the representation of the various academic departments. The term of office for faculty shall be two years, with alternate-year appointments of two faculty per year.
  • One first-year CRC student and one each from OCHP and OLP (for a total of up to three) to serve on the Committee. To accommodate the participation of OCHP and OLP student representatives, in particular, the Committee will provide the opportunity for remote participation in meetings. Each student will serve on the Committee for a period of 12-18 months.
  • The SSW Alumni Association Board shall appoint one member (an alumna/us) to serve on the Committee.

The Assistant Dean for Enrollment Services or designee shall chair the committee. Additional members shall include:

  • Director of Student Services or designee
  • Director of OLP Student Services or designee
  • A representative of the Field Education Department
  • A representative of the PhD program
  • The Campus Director for each OCHP campus
  • Director of Data & Enrollment Management and Registrar
  • Senior Manager of Financial Aid
  • Manager of Admissions
  • Manager of Recruitment
  • Graduate Admissions Advisors (3)
  • Financial Aid Administrator
  • Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinator
  • Graduate Admissions Specialist
  • Marketing and Communications staff

    Student members on the AFAC play a crucial role in representing the student body’s perspectives and interests in the decision-making processes of the group. Their primary responsibilities include:

    1. Providing student perspective: the student members act as the voice of their peers, offering insights into the student experience, concerns, and specific needs related to admissions and financial aid policies.
    2. Offering feedback and input: they contribute actively during committee discussions by providing feedback on proposed policies, procedures, and strategies. This input helps ensure that decisions made by the committee are informed by the realities and preferences of the student experience.
    3. Monitoring impact: they monitor the impact of committee decisions on the student body and provide ongoing feedback to ensure that policies remain relevant and in the best interest of our School community.

    Meeting Times: monthly, Wednesdays 12:30-2:00 pm from October through April (dates found on central calendar)

    Equity & Inclusion Committee (E&I)

    The E&I committee is charged with providing leadership, support, implementation, and accountability to advance SSW’s commitment to equity and inclusion in all aspects of BUSSW life.

    The E&I Committee will establish, support, and oversee goals, objectives, and activities that promote valuing and affirming equity and inclusion in all areas of the School, including inclusive excellence in curriculum development and classroom teaching, administration, practice, research and scholarship; recruitment and retention of students, faculty, administrators and staff; and relations with alumni and community-based organizations. The Committee will develop and implement educational opportunities, policies and procedures to promote a SSW community environment where all members feel valued, respected and welcome. The Committee will continuously and intentionally work to eliminate barriers to full participation for all members of the SSW community.

    Committee Membership:

    Chaired by two faculty members, one of whom is tenured and one who represents full-time faculty who are not tenured (non-tenured Clinical Professor track), selected in consultation with the Associate Dean for E&I. Terms of the E&I Committee chairs will be for 3 years. Chairs may be re-appointed, and terms may be staggered to assure continuity.  Additional membership will include:

    • Two administrators appointed by the Dean
    • One staff person representing OLP/OCP
    • Two MSW students (one first year and one advanced year)
    • One doctoral student
    • Two support staff
    • Two representatives from Field Education
    • One alumna/us appointed by the SSW Alumni Association
    • Chair of Racial Justice sequence

    The student representative to the Equity and Inclusion committee will attend monthly meetings, be responsible for taking minutes and help coordinate Equity and Inclusion initiatives. They will also liaison with the larger BUSSW student body to report out about Equity and Inclusion activities.

    Meeting times: monthly, Wednesdays 12:15-1:45 pm

    Program Assessment Committee (PAC)

    The PAC ensures that the school (a) has a developed assessment plan to determine students’ attainment of social work competencies, (b) oversees the assessment plan on an ongoing basis, (c) utilizes program assessment findings for quality assurance and program improvement, and (d) monitors and meets CSWE assessment reporting requirements.

    Committee Membership:

    Members of the PAC are appointed in consultation with the Dean. The Committee consists of:

    • One faculty member from each department,
    • Associate Dean for Academic Affairs,
    • MSW director of inclusive pedagogy,
    • One representative from the Field Education department,
    • One student representative from each program option (CRC, OCHP, and OLP), when available.

    Student representatives are voting members of the committee; they review and provide feedback on ongoing program assessments and outcomes.

    Meeting times: TBD

    Ad Hoc Committees and Other Opportunities

    BUSSW offers opportunities for students to participate in various events or activities throughout the year. If you are a student interested in getting involved in the BUSSW community but are unable to make the commitment to participate on a committee, please join the Ad Hoc Committee/Opportunities list. You will receive notifications about upcoming opportunities for student involvement.

    For general questions about school committees, please contact the Academic Affairs dept. at acadssw@bu.edu.