august 12, 2013

Student Org Executive Committee
Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Study Room
Group description

Doctoral Student Org (DSO) Meetings
Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Lilly Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room

SSW Disability Awareness Group
Mondays, 12:40-1:25 p.m., Scales House Living Room
Group description

Students of Color E Board
Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Scales Study Room

SSW Skits Rehearsal
Monday, August 12th, 7-10 p.m., John M. Greene

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Free Yoga Classes
Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Studio 151, Scott gym
Free yoga class open to the SSW community.

A'13 Class Picnic
Tuesday, August 13, 12-2 p.m., Seelye Lawn

Anti-Racism Task Force Meeting
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., King Study Room
Chaired by Fred Newdom.
Task force description

Meditation Sessions
Tuesdays, 1-1:20 p.m., Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary
Join us for student-led silent and guided meditation sessions organized through the Holistic Healing and Meditation Group!

Gender and Sexuality Alliance General Meeting
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Scales Living Room
General Meetings are open to all Smith SSW members. Task-force meetings are open to those who want to create and plan campus events.
Group description

Pedagogy and Diversity
Tuesday evenings, 7-9 p.m., Seelye 101 - Open to all faculty
Pedagogy and Diversity is a workshop-style meeting open to all faculty teaching at SSW, where we offer a space for collegial consultation and interactive learning about any issues pertaining to teaching and issues of diversity.
We plan to build on this during this summer and hope to see you there. Rani Varghese will co-facilitate with Josh Miller for the first term and Ruth Spencer for the second term. 10 CEUs will be given to those who attend at least 4/5 sessions per term.

Spirituality in Action: Summer-end Gathering
Tuesday, August 13th, 7:30-8:45 p.m., Dewey Common Room. All are welcome for snacks and conversation.
Group Mission:

• Social Justice: To acknowledge and put into practice the need for internal contemplation to practice social justice.
• Listening: For us to deepen our experience with dialogue and listening as a spiritual practice
• Interfaith Dialogue: To create a forum where faith, religious diversity, and ethnoreligious identity can be discussed openly
• Meaning Making: To help identify our own spiritual resources, work on our capacities to draw upon them, and help others do the same
• Peer leadership: To be leaders on SSW campus with respect to spiritual and religious issues

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Student Org General Meetings
Wednesdays, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Living Room

Council for Students of Color Meetings
Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

SSW Unlearning Racism
Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m., King House Study
Group description

SSW Skits Rehearsal
Wednesday, August 14th, 7-10 p.m., John M. Greene Hall

SSW Men's Group
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., King House Study
Group Description.

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Curriculum Committee Meetings
Thursdays, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Living Room

SWAA Meetings
Thursdays, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., King Living Room
Group description

Meditation Sessions
Thursdays, 1-1:20 p.m., Helen Hills Hills Chapel Sanctuary
Join us for student-led silent and guided meditation sessions organized through the Holistic Healing and Meditation Group!

Free Yoga Classes
Thursdays, from 4-5 p.m., Studio 151 at the Scott gym.
Free yoga class open to the SSW community.

160/161 Faculty Dinner 
Thursdays, from 5:30-7 p.m., King Lounge Room

Gender & Sexuality Alliance Task Force Meetings 
Thursdays, 5:45-6:45 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

SSW Skits 
Thursday, August 15th, 7-9 p.m., John M. Greene Hall
The SSW Skits is an annual production put on by the 3rd year class which showcases live performances, videos, and other fun acts of comedy! This event is open to anyone in our Smith community, as well as family and friends.

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Summer Information Webpage
Get all of the information you need for summer: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/sswinfo13

Planning an Event?
Important news!
There is a *NEW* policy and procedure for requesting event space reservations. You will find the information on the Summer Information page, under "Planning An Event". Please be sure to read all of the information very carefully! Contact Maddy Neely at mneely@smith.edu or x7983 if you have any questions or concerns.

• Party and Event Guidelines
• 25Live
• Campus Policies on Events

Close of School Notice - All Students
By now you should have received via Smith email an important notice listing dates, deadlines and responsibilities for the end of the summer. We urge you to read these materials soon - there are consequences for not meeting the deadlines. Thank you!

Commencement Reception Tickets
Commencement reception tickets for graduates and others who would like to purchase them can be picked up or purchased in the main office of Lilly Hall, Room 101. Hours for pick-up or purchase are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note: additional tickets may only be purchased by check, and we regret that there can be no refunds once tickets are purchased.

Forwarding Address - Continuing Students
Below is a link to our Winter Directory Information form. Please complete all portions of this form to give us your most updated information. Once you have finished filling it out, please make sure to press the submit button, located on the bottom left of the form. This information is critical for school related business and helpful connections during the internship period, including but not limited to: School business and publications; information from alumni placement area coordinators; and notice of alumni sponsored events in your area.  We will continue to use Smith email for the bulk of our communications. Please click on the link below to send us your contact information today.  If you do not submit a forwarding address, any mail we receive will be sent to your placement agency, which could cause confusion or problems. 
http://www.smith.edu/sswoas/address/second_sum.htm. This form must be submitted by Monday, August 12th.

Casebook shredding 
Students in Practice 101/102 and 301/302 and in doctoral courses that use casebooks: please plan to place your casebooks in shredding bins during the last week of the term. Bins will be provided for this purpose on the first floor of Hatfield and on the third floor of Seelye. No casebooks will be accepted for shredding in the Office of Academic Support Services. We appreciate your cooperation.

Mandatory Course Evaluations
Mandatory BannerWeb course evaluations begin Wednesday, August 7th, 2013, at 8:00 a.m., and end on Friday, August 16th, at 11:00 p.m. Please note the M.S.W. Handbook regulations at 200.7C - Student Requirement to Complete Course Evaluations: "Student evaluation of courses is a program requirement. Failure to complete a course evaluation by the deadline will result in the following: a) grade/transcript hold; b) registration hold; and c) diploma hold." These regulations apply to both master's and doctoral students. Thanks for your cooperation: your feedback is important! 

Meeting on Disasters and Field Placements
In January of this year, the School for Social Work convened a meeting to reflect on how it can respond to students in the field when there are disasters most effectively. A range of ideas and plans came out of this meeting with a focus on disaster preparedness, using multiple pathways to communicate with students when there are disasters and how to help students deepen their skills of self-care and safety. The ideas from that meeting continue to be worked on and implemented throughout the SSW system. To read more about the meeting, click here.

Students living on-campus - Laundry usage 
The College will be replacing the card readers on all washing machines in anticipation of the installation of new machines/readers. Since this is happening a few weeks before the new system takes effect, they will need to provide dorm occupants with free laundry usage until late August. The switch over will start during the morning on Monday July 29th and by 4 p.m. all laundry will be free. Once you see that the OneCard reader on the machine is powered down, you will know that you can use that machine for free.

Interfaith Pastoral Care 
Tuesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Dewey Common Room
The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life has developed an exciting collaboration with the School for Social Work. Given the significant personal stressors that co-exist with SSW's academic rigor and training, we are now offering spiritual services and expanded resources as part of student life. The intent is to help students maintain methods of self-care and "meaning making" while developing as a professional helper to others. For more information, click on "Letter of Introduction to the SSW/Center for Religious Life and Spirituality Collaboration," and "Why Might I seek Interfaith Pastoral Care while at the SSW?," or visit our website at www.smith.edu/religiouslife. Download the flyer here!

Office of Disability Services - Van Update
The Access Van operates from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call (413) 695-0065 and leave a message with the date and time you need a ride, your location, and your phone number. The driver will get back to you as soon as possible. Same day requests may not be filled depending on the schedule. Additional daily hours (Monday-Friday) have been added to the Accessibility Van on a routine basis (i.e., no call needed):
12:25 - van will pick up any student in need in the handicap parking spot behind Seelye and drives them over to K/S (will pass by parking lot beside Bass in back of McConnell to see if any students are waiting ).
1:25 - van will pick up any student waiting in the driveway on the Elm St. side of King and bring them to their appropriate classroom buildings.
3:20 - van will pick up any student waiting in the driveway on the Elm St. side of King and bring them to their appropriate classroom buildings.
3:45 - van will pick up any student in need in the handicap spot behind Seelye and drive them over to K/S (will pass by parking lot beside Bass in back of McConnell on the way to see if any students are waiting there).
5:45 - van will pick up any student in need in the handicap spot behind Seelye and drives them over to K/S (will pass by parking lot beside Bass in back of McConnell on the way to see if any students are waiting there).
Off Campus rides must be approved by the Office of Disability Services. If you have any questions, you can also call the Office of Disability Services at (413) 585-2071.

The POW MIA Remembrance Ceremony 
As students entered the King Scales dining room they may have noticed a small table in a place of honor. It is set for one. This table symbolizes the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POWs or MIAs, we call them "Brothers and Sisters." They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them. The Table set for one is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors.  Remember. The Tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country's call to arms. Remember. The single Red Rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep the faith awaiting their return. Remember. Sponsored by the Community for Those who Served and Sacrificed.
Community for Those who Served and Sacrificed Group Description

Alternative Way to Back Up Your Files
You already know that hard drives can fail, so it's essential to back up all your important files to an alternate location. You know that you can use a jump drive or cloud storage (Box or Google Drive) for this purpose, but did you also know that every Smith student has dedicated space on a Smith network server for storing their personal files? This personal storage space is called your network drive; it may also be called your H: drive on a Windows computer or your Home Directory on a Mac. Click here for more information. 
Questions? Call the User Support Center at x4487.

Do you have questions about students loans? Tuition payments? Financial Aid? 
Student Financial Services has office hours from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri and 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday.  Our knowledgeable front office staff will be happy to help you. They can also schedule an appointment (in person or via the phone) with a Director either at your request or if they believe your questions/concerns require more in-depth time and attention than they are able to provide. If you would like to see a Director, our drop-in hours are Tues and Fri 10:00 a.m.-noon and Wed 2-4 p.m.  Or as mentioned above, you are also able to pre-schedule a half-hour appointment with a Director. We ask that you call our office if you would like to schedule an appointment as appointment slots vary and can be filled quickly. We are located in 106 College Hall. Our office phone number is 585-2530 and our email address is sswfa@smith.edu.  

All Students: Changes To Student Health Insurance Plan
PLEASE NOTE the following changes related to the Health Insurance plan for the academic year coverage period: In order to ensure compliance with Massachusetts’ mandate on health insurance coverage for all full-time students (G.L. c.15A, 18) all SSW students will now be automatically enrolled and billed for the health insurance plan effective June 24, 2013. Those who have separate coverage must provide the School with the name and address of their insurance company, policy number and a copy of the policy for verification; the website to provide this information and waive will be open on 7/1/13 and will close on 8/4/13. Those who wish to be enrolled in the SSW Health Insurance Plan will not be required to do anything else. Further information will be sent to you via email and distributed into your student mailboxes. All students will see the health insurance charge on their June bill. If you waive the plan, the fee will be reversed. While the on-line decision process to accept or waive the insurance opens on 7/1/13 and must be submitted by 8/4/13, we highly recommend that you complete the form by 7/22/13 in order to avoid late fees if waiving, and/or receive your insurance card in a timely manner if enrolling.

Anti-Racism Consultation Committee
The Anti-Racism Consultation Committee is comprised of elected student representatives, administration and faculty (including Adjunct faculty). The Committee has two functions. One role of the committee is to keep track of and record the School's anti-racism initiatives as well as to proactively plan next steps to further the anti-racism mission statement of the School. Secondly, the committee serves in a consultative capacity to anyone in the SCSSW community who chooses to address an issue related to race. The committee has no formal or disciplinary power yet makes recommendations to the Dean, as appropriate. Any member of the SSW community may consult with any member of the ARCC. All consultations are confidential. 
Current membership:
Josh Miller, Associate Dean, Chair
Joyce Everett, Faculty Representative
Irene Rodriguez Martin, Administrative Representative
Arianne Napier, First-Year Student Representative
Fred Newdom, Adjunct Faculty Representative
Kaitlin Smith A14, Second-Year Student Representative
Ruth Spencer, Senior Bertha Reynolds Fellow 
Doreen Underdue, Support Staff Representative
Rani Varghese, Alumni Representative
Andre Zandona, Council Representative

Counseling Services for SSW Students
This summer, the School will offer limited counseling services for students. The services will be focused on brief counseling on issues affecting educational performance as well as further assessment and referral when needed. Students will be limited to three sessions. For more information, click here.

Dining Questions
Find answers to your questions about dining services on the "Dining FAQs”

The Writing Center Requests:  Please Cancel Appointments You Cannot Keep 
Dear SSW Writers -
If you need to cancel your individual appointments with either of us (Debra Carney or Peter Sapira), please email or phone us to let us know. (Or, stop by Seelye 307 and white-out your name on the appointment calendars.)  This will open up appointment times for other writers.  Thank you!

Story Project Community Blog 
The Smith SSW Story Project community blog is open for submissions.  The Story Project blog is a space where all SSW students, faculty, and staff are invited to share stories of their various sociocultural identities, with particular emphasis on honoring narratives of race and racism.  Stories can be submitted anonymously, and you are welcome to share your story through narrative, poetry, or video. To participate, and to read others’ stories, visit:http://sophia.smith.edu/blog/sswstoryproject
Log in with username: sswstories/password: storyproject

Brag A Little! 
Have you received an award? A fellowship? Recognition for your dedication? We want to share the great news! Send us the details of your award so that we can spread the news and join in your celebration...don't be shy! Email us at deanasst@smith.edu.

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Eleanor Clark Thesis Prize Nominations For 2013 
Each year the School for Social Work has the pleasure of administering the Eleanor Clark Thesis Prize. The School acknowledges the significant accomplishments of all students who have completed their theses; however, this award has been established in honor of an alumnus and it recognizes research in a specific area of interest. The Eleanor Clark Thesis Prize is awarded annually for a current Master's thesis advancing any of Miss Clark's several interests, which include: (a) innovations in service deriving from knowledge about human functioning and the social environment, (b) creative attention to social needs, especially in medical or psychiatric settings, and (c) the education of professional social workers. Eleanor Clark was the Director of Social Work Services at the Massachusetts General Hospital for many years.  The Prize was established by her partner as a memorial for her service to her community and to the social work profession. Others have also contributed to the Prize as a way of honoring Ms. Clark's role in establishing a professional social work presence in medical social work. Selection for the award will be made by members of the faculty; the cash prize will be presented at Commencement. The students nominated for this award were:

• Cyndi Lys
  “90% Catholic 100% Voudou”: Haitian Immigrant Religious and Spiritual Identity.
  
• Hanna Soumerai
  Stuck Kids: A Study Examining Factors that Contribute to Hospitalized Children Being Placed on Administrative Days.
  
• Chelsea Dann
  Positive Interventions for Children Diagnosed with Learning Disabilities: An Exploration of Educators' Lived Experiences.
  
• Emily Lusenhop
  The Impact of Homophobia and Transphobia on the Professional Development of LGBT Social Workers During Graduate School.
  
• Diana Mark
  Experiences of Caregivers for Relatives with a Chronic and Severe Mental Illness: Riding the Roller Coaster. A Descriptive Study.

Workshop on Using the APA 6 Thesis Template
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13th and 14th, Stoddard Auditorium
Information Technology Services (ITS) will show you how to use the APA 6th Edition Thesis Template that was created by Liane Hartman.  We strongly urge you to attend one of the workshops. The template and instructions will make the formatting much, much easier as you proceed through the thesis process.  This template works for all Microsoft Word users, both Mac and PC.

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Paid Undergraduate Mentoring Opportunities for October-May 2013-14
As part of the SSW-Smith College mentoring partnership, SSW interns mentor undergraduates who are working in a variety of community placements located within 20 minutes of Northampton. SSW students will spend 3 hours per week mutually decided on by intern and host organization. There is a stipend for the work ($1,500). If you will be living within commuting distance to Smith Campus this year (current students only), please contact Marsha Pruett via email. She will need to hear from you before the end of the school term, but she can talk further after your term is complete.

Job Opportunities for SSW Students
For more details about the following positions, log onto E-Access and search by Job ID#.

• Northeast Parent & Child Society- Schenectedy & Queensbury, NY
  Health Care Integrator (Job ID# 24129)
  Foster Care Recruitment & Retention Director (Job ID# 24128)
• ServiceNet, Inc.- Northampton, MA
  Mental Health Recovery Counselor (Job ID# 24299)
• Holyoke Public Schools- Holyoke, MA
  Family Access & Engagement Coordinators (Job ID#24048)
• Justice Resource Institute- Thompson, CT
  Masters Level Clinicians/Therapists (Job ID# 23961)
• Housing Corporation of Arlington- Arlington, MA
  Homelessness Prevention Program Social Worker (Job ID# 23939)
• Department of Mental Health Massachusetts- Westfield, MA
  Case Management Supervisor (Job ID# 23862)
• Massachusetts Medical Society- Cambridge, MA
  Social Worker (Job ID# 23869)

NASW Information
Link for Download NASW

Carrel Sign-Up at Neilson Library
Carrel sign-up for SSW students is at the Circulation desk in Neilson Library. If you would like to rent a carrel, please remember to bring your OneCard. Carrels can only be reserved in person, and you may only sign up for your own carrel. After the initial sign-up, students who could not attend may ask at the Circulation desk if there are still carrels available to rent. If there are carrels available, the Circulation staff will continue to rent these out to students until there is no longer any availability. If you have any questions, please call the Neilson Library Circulation desk at (413) 585-2910.

Looking for new leadership - Jewish Student Group
The Jewish Student Group is looking for first summer students to join the leadership team! All relationships to Judaism are welcome. The leadership meets weekly, plans events, and thinks about what the Jewish presence on campus will look like. If interested, please contact: ArielSchneider and Sonia Alexander.

Lost & Found Bin Hours
There will be a Lost and Found Bin located in the Lilly's Main Office Supply Closet, Room 101. The hours available to retrieve lost items are from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

Public Phone Locations
Smith College SSW Public Phones are located on the first floor of Seelye Hall and on the first floor of College Hall.

Local Summer Camps, Programs, and Day Cares

• Amherst LSSE: Summer Day & Sports Camps
  www.amherstma.gov/index.aspx?NID=351 (Day Camps)
• http://www.amherstma.gov/index.aspx?NID=413
  (Sports Camps)
• Amherst Montessori School Summer Sessions
  www.amherstmontessori.org
• Camp Shemesh (Amherst)
  www.j-c-a.org
• Capicidad Summer Camp (Amherst)
  www.capacidadprograms.org
• Hitchcock Center for the Environment Summer Camp (Amherst)
  www.hitchcockcenter.org
• Nike Sports Camps (Amherst, South Hadley, Easthampton)
  www.ussportscamps.com
• Northampton Recreation Day Camps
  www.northamptonma.gov/recreation/Summer_Day_Programs
• People's Institute Summer Camps (Northampton)
  ww.pichildcare.com
• Smith College Daycare Center at Sunnyside Summer Program
  www.sunnysidekids.org
• YMCA Camp Norwich (Northampton)
  www.hrymca.org

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Post Resident Graduate Student Working Group
Now through Wednesday, August 14th, 2-3:30 p.m., Location TBD
The purpose of this event is to provide post residency SSW students a working space to obtain support, obtain additional skills and resources to complete their thesis by May 2014 and graduate on August 2014. This first meeting will further discuss the purpose of the group, expectation and needs, and share skills building events in progress, Q&A. Please bring your planner, in order to finalize weekly or biweekly meetings through the summer. For more information, please contact Penelope Williams.

SSW Skits Rehearsal
Monday and Wednesday, August 12th and 14th, 7-10 p.m., John M. Greene

A'13 Class Picnic
Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 12-2 p.m., Seelye Lawn

SSW Skits 
Thursday, August 15th, 7-9 p.m., John M. Greene Hall
The SSW Skits is an annual production put on by the 3rd year class which showcases live performances, videos, and other fun acts of comedy! This event is open to anyone in our Smith community, as well as family and friends.

Free Yoga Classes
Tuesdays 8:30-9:30 a.m. & Thursdays 4-5 p.m. in Studio 151 at the Scott gym.
Free yoga class open to the SSW community.

Meditation Sessions
Join us for student-led silent and guided meditation sessions organized through the Holistic Healing and Meditation Group! Sits will be held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-1:20 p.m.

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Check the SSW events calendar for all regularly schedule weekly events.

Weekly Meetings

Student Org Executive Committee
Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Study Room
Group description

SSW Disability Awareness Group
Mondays, 12:40-1:25 p.m., Scales Living Room.
Group description

Students of Color E Board
Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Scales Study Room

Anti-Racism Task Force
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., King Study Room EXCEPT July 30th when they will meet in the King Living Room.
http://www.smith.edu/ssw/about_antiracism_taskforce.php

Doctoral Student Org (DSO) Meetings
Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Lilly Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room

Gender and Sexuality Alliance General Meeting
Tuesdays, 5:45- 6:45 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

Pedagogy and Diversity
Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., Seelye 101

Student Org General Meetings
Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

Council for Students of Color Meetings
Wednesdays, 5:30-7 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

SSW Unlearning Racism
Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m., King House Study

SSW Men's Group
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., King House Study.
Group description

Curriculum Committee Meetings
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Scales Living Room

Spanish Speaking Clinicians
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., basement of the Student Center
English group description; Spanish group description

SWAA Meetings
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m., King Living Room
Group description

Gender & Sexuality Alliance Task Force Meetings
Thursdays, 5:45-6:45 p.m., Scales Living Room
Group description

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WORKSHOPS
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COLLOQUIA
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