Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
Membership Application
I. Member Information
1. Today’s Date:
2. Student Name:
3. Student Email:
4. Student Phone # (most likely to be reached):
5. Student Local Address:
6. Do you work?
If yes,
Yes
No
Full-time
Part-time
7. Please select your program:
o
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Part-time
First year
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
Concentration-Day
Concentration –Evening
Foundation – Day
Foundation - Evening
For your convenience: Membership applications can be submitted electronically to
mswsa@uakron.edu
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Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
II. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about MSWSA
Who are we? This is an organization of master level social work students in the School of Social Work.
This is an organization led by master level students and supported by an assigned faculty advisor.
Why do we exist? The purpose of the Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) is to
promote and foster relationships between students and faculty involved in the Joint Master of Social
Work Program at Cleveland State University and The University of Akron by:
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Advocating for the rights and needs of the students enrolled in the Joint MSW program;
Improving and participating in activities that will further the purpose and goals of the social
work profession;
Hosting presentations by speakers from the professional community that keeps students abreast
of the political, social, economic, and environmental trends locally and nationally;
Encouraging lifelong learning in professional practice; and
Conducting an annual MSWSA activity with Cleveland State University and The University of
Akron
The purpose of the MSWSA shall also be to coordinate and promote programs which support the
mission of Cleveland State University and The University of Akron.
How do we meet? In the past, the MSWSA met via distance learning and encourages all students on
both campuses to actively participate. The co-officers of the organization are representatives of
students on both campuses. General membership meetings will be held at a minimum of one (1) time
per semester with additional meetings as needed. At least one (1) joint meeting between Cleveland
State University and The University of Akron will be held each semester. These meetings will be held
either by conference call or using the technology present in the distance learning rooms. Please note:
During the current year, MSWSA will examine multiple mediums and times to meet to ensure that all
MSW students have an opportunity to participate.
What is the cost of this membership? $1.00 per academic year
Payment can be made by check (payable to UA MSWSA) or cash. Membership fees should be placed in
a sealed envelope. The envelope should be addressed to The University of Akron –MSWSA and your full
name and program (part-time, full-time, concentration, foundation)
Why has there been a change in the membership cost (in previous years it was $5.00)? In review of the
current economic situation of both society and our students, and the role and importance of student
involvement, we decided to remove the potential of financial barriers to student involvement by
reducing membership fees. Does that mean we will have a smaller budget to work with this academic
year? Yes. It also means that we will need the involvement (words and/or action) of each and every
master level social work student.
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Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
Who can be a member of this student group? Active membership in the MSWSA is open to all
graduate social work students in good standing and faculty at Cleveland State University and The
University of Akron. A membership fee is required to be paid each year. Once a student graduates or
ceases to be a student of either of these universities, active membership in the MSWSA ceases.
Paid membership in the MSWSA entitles members to full floor and voting privileges on any and all items
of MSWSA business, including resolutions, items of legislation, bylaws, and elections. All members will
be notified of these privileges.
III. Student Representation on MSW Program Standing Committees
Student representation is both wanted and needed on the following nine (9) committees. Please take a
moment and review each area and identify a minimum of one committee that you are willing to
contribute. The committees meet a minimum of once per semester. Student involvement in each
committee ensures a strong, student driven program that successfully prepares each social work
student to be the effective change agent.
Academic Performance Committee- Reviews and makes recommendations regarding
students’ academic and non-academic performance problems.
Admissions Committee - Reviews applications and accepts students into the program;
students participate in review and modification of policies and procedures for full faculty
approval.
Bylaws Committee - Reviews and recommends to faculty the policies and procedures
concerning the program’s governance and operation.
Curriculum Committee - Reviews, revises, and modifies, with full faculty approval, the MSW
curriculum.
Evaluation - Develops and implements assessment procedures for measurement of the MSW
program, foundation, and concentration objectives.
Field Education Committee - Reviews and recommends policies and procedures regarding field
education and provides consultation to the field coordinators regarding field related issues not
covered under existing policy/procedure.
Graduation Committee - Plans the annual MSW program graduation ceremonies.
Library and Information Technology – Reviews and recommends library and technological
resources t the Joint MSW Program.
Nominating Committee –
Committees.
Develops a slate of faculty members to serve on the MSW
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Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
IV. Student Officers/Elections
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A president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer need to be elected by the members of
the MSWSA.
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The term of office is for one (1) year.
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Each university will hold their own elections.
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These elections shall take place no later than the end of the 6th (sixth) week of the fall
semester. Please note: Officers should have been voted in spring 2011 in preparation for
fall 2011. Since this did not happen, students who volunteered to accept officer positions
are listed below the identified role. If you believe the identified student should be elected,
please select that student. If you are interested in that role, please write your name in and
select yourself.
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The officers shall be elected by secret ballot. (Please separate your voting ballot from your
membership application. Membership fee and ballot should be placed in the MSWSA
mailbox in room 411 the main Social Work Office, The Polsky Building. Membership
application can be submitted electronically to mswsa@uakron.edu) If a member does not
want to send their application electronically, please complete and place in the MSWSA
mailbox.)
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The new executive committee shall be installed at the first MSWSA meeting following the
elections. After this MSWSA meeting, the new officers will officially assume their elected
positions.
Each newly elected officer will receive a binder containing all the information and
documentation completed by the individual who previously held the position.
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For your convenience: Membership applications can be submitted electronically to
mswsa@uakron.edu
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Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
***CONFIDENTIAL – Please separate this page from the membership application***
I am interested in being on the election ballot for the following office(s) in the MSWSA
President- The University of Akron
President Write-in Catherine Chudakoff-Concentration Day
The president’s role includes the power to establish and coordinate operational procedures of the
MSWSA, which include coordinate voting and convene meetings. The president shall represent the
MSWSA at joint MSW program faculty meetings. The president shall be responsible for leading student
advocacy efforts.
Vice-President-The University of Akron
President Write-in Colleen Devore – Concentration Day
The vice-president’s role is not defined in the constitution, yet this is the role that provides support as
needed to the president. The vice-president needs to be ready to stand in for the president and provide
the officers with direction and focus.
Secretary – The University of Akron
President Write-in Jennifer Bosley –Concentration –Evening
The secretary shall keep accurate, detailed up to date records of all meetings and affairs, send/transmit
all official MSWSA correspondences, and coordinate the preparation and distribution of MSWSA flyers,
handouts, publications, and maintain communication between Cleveland State University and The
University of Akron. The secretary is in charge of maintaining an up to date electronic (email) database
with a current email address of each member. Emails that are ‘returned to sender’ or ‘invalid’ will be
followed up by the secretary to ensure the new email is on file and that members are receiving all
transmissions. The secretary should also have a current list of e-mail addresses for each MSWSA
executive board member and faculty advisor from Cleveland State University.
Treasurer –The University of Akron
President Write-in Jennie Sette – Concentration - Evening
The treasurer will receive and disburse MSWSA funds with a co-signer and the faculty advisor, in
accordance with the financial rules and regulation of The University of Akron and the laws of the State of
Ohio. The treasurer will make financial reports at all executive committee meetings, and at regular
membership meetings of the MSWSA in which they attend.
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Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) 2011
Membership Application
***CONFIDENTIAL – Please separate this page from the membership application***
Cohort Representatives
In an effort to ensure that all master level students’ needs are identified and heard, we are creating
Cohort Representatives. These cohort representatives will be responsible for sharing information with
their specific cohort- students in their area of the program.
The officers will take full responsibility to ensure the cohort representatives are kept abreast of
information, as well as ensuring that information is placed on the web-site. The cohort representatives
will come to their respective classes ready with factual, relevant, and updated information to share.
Part-time
Two representatives needed for 1st year and 3rd year students
1.
2.
Part-time
Two representatives needed for 2nd and 4th year students
1.
2.
Full-time
Two representatives needed for Day students
1.
2.
Full-time
Two representatives needed for Evening students
1.
2.
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