The new academic year promises to be a big one for the Joint Social Work Program. Currently there are 59 Social Work majors between Augustana College (27) and the University of Sioux Falls (32). Here are a few of the "happenings" of the faculty and students in the Program.

Barb Barclay and Andy Eastwood have left the Program, Barb moving to Colorado where her husband has a new position and Andy to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where he is the new Director of the Social Work Program. Barb will be teaching part time in Denver at Metro State College in the Social Work Program and getting acquainted with the social work community. Andy Eastwood assumed the position of Director of the Social Work Department at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He reports that he is busy! The Augie USF Program is continuing to develop with adjunct faculty for this academic year and recruitment for full time faculty for the next academic year.

2001-02 SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM FACULTY

Candice Cummings is an Avera McKennan Hospice Social Worker who also has a private practice with University Physicians. Candice has been teaching SW 307 Social Welfare Policy Analysis for seven years and is again teaching the course to seniors this fall. A new edition of the text and a qualitative research opportunity to learn what is happening to TANF recipients after they can no longer receive services because of the two-year and five-year lifetime limits. The information will be shared with Senators Daschle and Johnson and Congressperson John Thune as they consider changes in Welfare Reform during the next year. The "stories" of real people will, hopefully, influence the changes to be made. The fall semester is a busy but active one for seniors.

Deb Aden, formerly the Executive Director of the Rape and Domestic Abuse Center is teaching and administering the senior field instruction course and seminar. Deb has taught these courses in the Program a couple of times in the recent past and is excited to be interacting with seniors again. Deb recently accepted a position with the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault. She will develop and provide training to law enforcement and court staff throughout South Dakota.

Brenda Risty, a Sioux Falls School District Social Worker, is teaching SW 363 Social Work with Groups. Brenda has taught in the Program both full and part time in the past and truly enjoys teaching. The case examples from social work in schools are still there (Barb Barclay always had many to share) as the understanding and experience with social group work is developing in junior students.

Holly Cashen, the former Hospice Social Worker for Sioux Valley Hospital, will teach SW 340 Human Behavior in the Social Environment to juniors. Holly has long been interested in teaching and has done less formal teaching in preparing volunteers to work with families with a member receiving hospice services. Again, understanding of significant social work concepts are being enhanced through service learning experiences with the American Red Cross HIV/AIDS Network.

Janann Beaubien, formerly the social worker at Avera Prince of Peace SubAcute Care Unit, will be teaching SW 120 Introduction to Social Work. Janann has worked with students to help continue the discussions begun last spring regarding social work and spirituality and social work and religion, a Social Work Interest Group (SWIG) activity.

Adjunct faculty photographs are on the bulletin boards by the Social Work Offices (Madsen Center Room 135) and in the Library at USF.

Dr. Salome Raheim, the Director at the University of Iowa School of Social Work, worked with students on cross-cultural issues in three classes and accompanied students and faculty to Rosebud Reservation on our fall semester trip Nov. 1-3. Elizabeth Little Elk coordinated planning for the visit, including leading the tour through the new office building for the Casey Family Programs. Two full days were spent visiting agencies and learning and asking questions about Lakota culture and social services on the reservation. The visit is being evaluated and planning is beginning immediately for the spring semester trip!

About 20 students have subscribed to The New Social Worker, a social work journal for students. A new journal titled Social Work Today has been offered to students at no cost for review. Most social work students were interested and subscribed. The price was right!!

The Social Work Program bulletin boards are nearly complete with new pictures and information about all of our students.

Senior students organized the traditional SWIG "Welcome Picnic" the third week of school. Students and faculty introduced themselves and spent some time "building" with french fries and ketchup. Unique prizes were available for the "best" construction!

SWIG will be assisting the faculty in hosting a reception for the University of Iowa School of Social Work recruitment effort on Wednesday, November 28^th at 4:30 p.m. at the Minnehaha Country Club. U of Iowa will be starting classes for another cohort of MSW students next summer in Sioux City. Julia Kleinschmidt Rembert, the Coordinator of the Sioux City Program will provide information needed by current students, graduates and social workers from the region as they consider enrolling in the MSW program.

Social Work students who have experienced a semester in another country will get together with students who are interested in doing so over lunch soon. Cara L. spent spring semester, 2001 in London; Heather Faber spent spring semester, 2001 in Leiden, The Netherlands; Carrie P. is attending the HECUA (Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs) Program in St. Paul, MN during fall, 2001. Erica M. will be in Thailand and Rhea S. will be in Belgrano, Argentina for spring semester, 2002. Coordination for international opportunities rests with Donn Grinager at Augustana and Dr. Charles Herman at USF. Both will be invited to participate in the discussion about planning a semester "abroad." The planning needs to take place at least a year, preferably longer, in advance.

A special semester is being planned with faculty from the Joint Program and eight other colleges and universities in Minnesota. It is currently referred to as the "Social Work Semester in Cuernavaca, Mexico." Courses will be taught by social work faculty as well as Augsburg faculty at the Mexican site and will fulfill courses in CSWE-accredited programs. The first scheduled "Semester in Mexico" is spring 2003. The plan is to offer the program every spring semester. First preference for selection of participants will be from the schools involved in planning the program. Augie and USF will have two places reserved and may send more than two students if the demand is great! Several students are brushing up on their Spanish.

Emeritus faculty Dr. Tom Houle has also had a busy fall!! He attended an international meeting of the Multiple Sclerosis Society in Australia. Tom and Gloria toured the Fiji Islands among other tropical spots before returning to Sioux Falls where the weather has been almost as warm as early fall. In mid-November, 60s and 70s are a real gift in South Dakota!!

Grant writing, teaching and advising all 59 social work students is keeping Harriet Scott off the streets, at least until 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. each night! The fall semester has gone well; spring semester is planned; and the news and good wishes from alumni is always welcome.

More later.