About Us
The Social Work Graduate Student Association or SWGSA is a student organization created by and for MSW students at SJSU. All students in the MSW program at SJSU are automatically enrolled as members. SWGSA thrives to build connections and enact social change on every level as well as be a voice for the students. Please join us during the year as we embark on learning, growing, and shaping the school to suit us - not the other way around.
Purpose of swgsa
Goals
This organization has been formed to represent the students in the graduate Master of Social Work (MSW) Program in the School of Social Work at SJSU. The goals of this organization are:
- To increase student cohesion within the School of Social Work at SJSU;
- To garner support and interest of MSW students for the furthering of SWGSA goals and values;
- Raise the awareness of students, faculty, staff, and the SJSU campus community regarding social issues such as the inequalities and injustices that children, families, and individuals encounter on a daily basis;
- To increase the visibility of the School of Social Work and its mission on the SJSU campus and the community;
- To supplement social work students’ education and skills needed for the profession of social work; and
- To advocate for student representation within the School of Social Work.
Objectives
The implementation of these goals shall be reflected by:
- The provision of activities that increase knowledge and awareness through workshops, speakers, fundraisers, and trainings;
- Creation or support of social action events and forums in order to affect and promote positive change for the community;
- Active outreach to all current and prospective social work students in the School of Social Work through social activities, participation in orientation events, and mentoring;
- Increased visibility through networking on campus and in the outside community, and addressing social issues through the use of forums, written statements, and community organizing methods;
- Support of worthwhile projects of other student organizations to promote good public relations; and
- Active participation in faculty and administrative meetings when appropriate, and the development and maintenance of open communication among students, faculty, staff, and administrative personnel, in order to voice student concerns, needs, and perspectives.
Membership
Section 1. Participation in this organization is open to all social work students at SJSU. However, only graduate-level social work students at SJSU are eligible for membership in this organization.
Section 2. General membership is restricted to matriculated, currently enrolled students in the MSW Program at San José State University.
Section 3. One hundred percent (100%) of all members of the organization must be matriculated, currently enrolled students in the MSW Program at San José State University.
Section 4. Membership in the organization will not be denied to anyone on the basis of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, color, age, gender, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or disability. (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41500).
Section 5. No member of this organization shall engage in hazing, participate in hazing, or commit any act that causes or is likely to cause bodily danger, physical harm, or personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm to any fellow student or person attending this institution (California Education Code, Article 8, Sections 10851-10853).
Section 6. SWGSA will not collect dues or fees from its members.
Section 7. Executive Board of Directors are those who are listed in Article V. Committee Chairs will also be referred as to “Executive Board of Directors” or “Committee Chairs”. Those who join committees (not as chairs), will be referred to as “Committee Members”. As a group, everyone collectively may be referred as as “SWGSA Leaders”. SWGSA members shall be those outlined in Article IV, section 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at if you cannot find an answer to your question.
All MSW students enrolled at SJSU are automatically members of SWGSA. There is no enrollment process nor association fees.
Applications to become an SWGSA Leader for AY 2023-2024 open on 3/30/2023 and close on 4/23/2023.
SWGSA thrives on building a network between all social work students and the school. We do this by hosting several social events throughout the year, such as BBQs, comedy night, and the Annual Social Work Graduation. As an SWGSA member, you will have access to custom social work merchandise and space to voice student concerns or questions.
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