Social work degree passed after concern

The State Board of Higher Education approved Portland State’s proposed baccalaureate in social work program Nov. 2, after the chair of PSU’s Black Studies Department delayed the approval a question of over racial diversity in the program’s faculty.

The program, which will be offered starting fall 2008, was originally slated to be approved at the state board’s meeting in October. However, PSU’s Black Studies Chair and board member Dalton Miller-Jones raised concerns about a lack of diversity in the program’s faculty, asking for a delay to the approval.

Miller-Jones said he wanted to make certain that the program’s faculty was diverse enough to deal with the expected diversity of students who will take interest in the program.

The program will focus on a variety of human-interest organizations, offering specific expertise in fields of child welfare, youth and family services, health, and addictions.

Out of the 40 or so faculty in the program, Miller-Jones said he counted two African-Americans, two of Asian decent, and one of Latino-“Not a lot of diversity,” he said.

Miller-Jones presented his argument to Kristine Nelson, the dean of the school of social work, encouraging the school to get “creative and aggressive” about seeking out new faculty with diverse backgrounds. He said it was important to stress qualified graduates with doctorates in the field of social work are competitively sought after.

As a result, PSU is collaborating with local community colleges in an effort to recruit diverse faculty for the program–according to the state board’s Nov. 2 meeting minutes. With a more diverse faculty the program can improve on helping students from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, Miller-Jones said.

Miller-Jones, who was on sabbatical last year, said he was unaware of the progress of the program’s proposal by the time it was presented in October.

Nelson assured Miller-Jones that the school of social work’s faculty is mobilized in a recruitment effort to “literally change the complexion of the faculty,” according to Miller-Jones.

After the state board meeting Nov. 2, board member Paul Kelly Jr. said he was satisfied with the program.

“I was persuaded by [Miller-Jones],” Kelly said. “He was entirely confident, and that persuaded me.”

The new baccalaureate program makes available to students a Bachelor of Arts with a major in social work. A group of 30-40 students will be selected by spring 2008. The first diplomas will be given out in June of 2010. The program is the only degree of its kind offered within the Oregon University System.