School-Wide Committees/Student Reps

The Academic Affairs Committee 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, 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 the BUSSW through systematic and rigorous review. Consistent with university policies on academic freedom and student code, the AAC develops, reviews, and recommends (as appropriate) new and revised policy relevant to academic standing, code of ethics, and code of professional conduct.  

• Reviews program and certificate proposals and advances approved proposals to faculty for discussion and vote. If approved, advance to the Graduate Academic Programs and Policies (GAPP) Committee via eCAP.  

• Reviews course proposals and advances 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).  

• Reviews proposals for dissolution of existing courses, specializations, and programs, and recommends approved dissolutions to the faculty.  

• Develops 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. 

• Collaborates with department chairs & coordinators, the Program Assessment Committee, and the Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations to effect regular, systematic academic program review and to promote continuous program innovation. 

• Collaborates 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. 

• Communicates major programmatic and policy changes to the BUSSW community (faculty, staff, administrators, admissions, and students). 

Student representatives on the AAC 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 

The APSC has jurisdiction over: (a) acts of academic misconduct on the part of any student enrolled in a course taught in 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 authority 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 review all materials related to status review hearings prior to committee meetings and participate in hearings as a full voting member. The estimated time commitment for student members is approximately 10-20 hours per semester. 

Meeting Times: scheduled as needed 

The Admissions and Financial Aid Committee plays a key role in providing guidance 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 AFAC is 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 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 12-18 months. 

• The BUSSW Alumni Association Board shall appoint one member (an alumna/us) to serve on the committee. 

The assistant dean for enrollment services or designee will chair the committee. Additional members shall include: 

• Director of CRC 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. 

1. 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. 

1. 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) 

Established in 2024, the Art Committee at BUSSW is charged with creating and implementing new goals and processes for the incorporation of visual art in the school’s flagship building at 264 Bay State Rd.

The committee’s aims to:

• Identify a central vision and goals for the committee and future space and visual/creative considerations;
• Develop strategic plans, processes and initiatives that are inclusive of the numerous perspectives and identities housed within the 264 Bay State building;
• Bridge art/décor needs with strategies for elevating BUSSW community voices in a creative and inclusive way;
• Align the school’s mission, vision and strategic goals – as well as the needs of those within it – with its art/décor choices;
• Select art that empowers and inspires our on-campus (SSW-CRC) community members;
• Reflect the school’s worth by demonstrating care and attention to the physical space;
• Foster relationship with local artists and community members as well as school partners, such as field internship agencies.

The committees responsibilities include:

• Art curation and selection
• Establish layouts of existing and future art installations
• Coordination with facilities
• Establish and implement art projects that will be part of BUSSW
• Stakeholder engagement including faculty, staff, students, and others in the greater BU and Boston community
• Create budgets and timelines
• Assessment and reporting of initiatives
• Ongoing dialogue with school administration

These functions aim to ensure that the Art Committee actively engages with and reflects the diverse voices and identities within the community while updating and enhancing its visual appearance and impact.

Committee Membership: 

The Art Committee is co-chaired by one faculty member and one staff member, selected in consultation with committee members and administrative leadership. The co-chairs serve a 1-year term. Chairs may be re-appointed, and terms may be staggered to assure continuity. Additional membership will include:

• At least 2 additional faculty members and 2 additional staff, including at least one staff member who works with the CRC student population
• At least 1 on-campus MSW or PhD student

The student representative to the Art Committee will attend monthly meetings, be responsible for taking minutes at times (typically once per semester), and help coordinate and implement Art Committee projects. They will also liaison with the larger BUSSW student body to report about Art Committee activities and plans.

Meeting times: 2x/month, day/time to change each semester to account for changing faculty schedules.

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

The 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 BUSSW 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 BUSSW community.  

Committee Membership: 

The E&I committee will be 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 three 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 BUSSW Alumni Association 

• Chair of Racial Justice sequence 

• Assistant Dean of Marketing, Communications & Strategic Initiatives 

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

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

The Program Assessment Committee (a) ensures that the school 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 

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