The student associations of SSA provide students with the opportunity to express their views on a variety of issues of importance to the School and the profession of social work, while also providing the student body with a system of mutual support. SSA student associations take an active role in the discussion of academic, professional, and political issues in the School. Student associations also sponsor various social activities that enrich the graduate school experience. All registered master’s students are members of the SSA Student Government Association, and all registered doctoral students are members of the SSA Doctoral Student Association. Listed below are the student associations currently active within the School.
Student Government Association at the School of Social Service Administration. (SSA/SGA)
Advocates' Forum
African American Student Association (AASA)
Colleges Aligned Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
Community and Economic Development Organization (CEDO)
Disability Student Association
Doctoral Student Association (DSA)
The Elephant
Feminist Student Association (FSA)
The International Social Welfare Group at SSA (ISW)
Latino Student Association (LSA)
OUTreach
Pan-Asian Student Association (PASA)
Student Advocate for Veterans Association (SAVA)
Student Alliance for Mental Health and Wellness
Student Alumni Representatives
Student Government Association at the School of Social Service Administration. (SSA/SGA)
The Student Government Association at the School of Social Service Administration encompasses the entire student body of the School. The Association participates in student-faculty committees, sponsors a number of programs and social events involving students and faculty, and provides a forum through which students speak to a variety of issues that impact both the present and future direction of the School.
Advocates' Forum is one of only a few student-run social work journals in the country. In 2005, AF celebrated its 10th anniversary. During this time, the journal has provided SSA students with an opportunity to make their voices heard, through carefully written and researched articles on innovative topics in the field of social service. AF recruits new board members and a coeditor at the beginning of each school year. During the fall quarter, the board solicits for the academic year's issue; submissions are due in January of every year. Advocates' Forum welcomes articles in all areas of social work, including clinical practice and current social welfare policy and administration. The goal is to continue the tradition of academic excellence that the journal has represented throughout the years.
African American Student Association (AASA)
The African American Student Association of SSA serves as a resource for the African American community and campus community as a whole, fostering education about and expression of black culture. We cultivate scholarship within AASA, and educate the campus community around issues regarding African Americans. Our purpose is to honor the strength, diversity, and essence of African Americans through an appreciation and celebration of heritage and culture. Our goal is to provide a support network for students through partnerships with staff and the overall student body. Our membership is open to all who are interested in African American culture and its importance to our culturally diverse society.
Programs and activities held throughout the year include but are not limited to:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration
This annual celebration focuses on ways to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the slain civil rights leader. Various well-known civil rights advocates, local speakers, and student talent are presented at the celebration. In addition, films, forums, and lectures are hosted.
Black History Month
During Black History Month the AASA pays special tribute to the history, contributions, and achievements of African and African-American people throughout the world.
Informative Programs
AASA sponsors academic and cultural programs, as well as social activities throughout the school year.
Colleges Aligned Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)
Being a leader in eliminating sexual exploitation from our community, CAASE is frequently contacted by students who are interested in becoming allies and passionate about eradicating sexual violence and exploitation. Unfortunately, we are a small albeit busy office so we do not have the capacity for students to come into the office and complete projects. But CAASE did not want to shun such an important and zealous group of students. Therefore, CAASE has helped college students in Chicago and beyond start Colleges Aligned Against Sexual Exploitation chapters. The purpose of the CAASE chapters is:
Community and Economic Development Organization (CEDO)
The Community and Economic Development Organization (CEDO) is an SSA student organization that collaborates with the Harris School of Public Policy Studies. Our aim is to sponsor activities that promote community awareness, foster sustainability, and improve quality-of-life in underserved neighborhoods.
In the past CEDO has sponsored neighborhood tours: bus and walking tours of communities undergoing change. In addition, each year Chicago Dinners offers a space where University and community members can come together for an evening to share a meal and thoughts around a specific topic. This year, we plan to increase our collaboration with community groups, offer volunteer opportunities, and invite speakers to discuss community development initiatives in Chicago.
CEDO welcomes new ideas. We're always eager to have energetic and committed people join our team. For more information, write us at cedo@listhost.uchicago.edu.
Disability Student Association
Doctoral Student Association (DSA)
DSA acts as a unifying organization for Ph.D. students at SSA, offering a central forum for the diverse population of Ph.D. students in the School. The Association also pursues academic, professional, and political issues of importance to doctoral students.
The Elephant (formerly known as SSA Diversity Committee)
To enhance the academic and social experience of faculty, students, and staff through initiatives that support and promote diversity within the SSA community. The Elephant strives toward this goal through facilitating honest dialogue and programming; ongoing evaluation and assessment; and by creating an environment, through academics, student coalitions, and progressive school policies, that upholds diversity and embraces differences.
Feminist Student Association (FSA)
Feminist Student Association brings a feminist analysis to social work issues ranging from violence against women and the feminization of poverty, to the wage gap and other forms of structural inequality. In the upcoming year FSA will work in coalition with other student organizations, host a number of dynamic speakers, and involve itself in activism within the SSA community, and the city of Chicago.
The International Social Welfare Group at SSA (ISW)
The mission of The International Social Welfare Group at SSA is to promote the discussion of international social justice issues and social work's response to these issues. We seek to encourage dialogue through regular meetings, movie screenings, speakers, and discussions of relevant readings. Ultimately, we hope that the club will lead to the creation of an International concentration at SSA. We have many exciting events planned this year, including a career panel, trivia night fundraiser, and a speaker event.
Our listhost can be joined at the following website: https://listhost.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/international-social-welfare
Latino Student Association (LSA)
LSA is a student organization made up of Latino and Non-Latino students who are connected by their ability and desire to work within the Latino Communities. LSA allows students to learn about Latino cultures from a social work perspective by encouraging community involvement.
LSA's mission is to promote social, cultural, and political awareness of the various Latino cultures in Chicago by providing educational and social opportunities to its members, who participate in diverse communities through service and action. LSA's Preliminary Goals
Offer monthly social and/or educational outings to explore different Latino communities around Chicago.
Provide a forum for discussing important issues existent in various Latino communities.
Hold monthly team meetings in order to discuss and plan events.
Individuals who attend LSA's first meeting(s) will be asked to write out their ideas/suggestions about what they would like to see LSA doing this quarter. This will help the co-chairs assess everyone's interests and determine additional and feasible goals that the majority of members would like to participate in.
Pan-Asian Student Association (PASA)
The Pan-Asian Student Association is comprised of students interested in increasing awareness around issues concerning the Asian Pacific American community, particularly in Chicago. PASA seeks to explore the experiences of, and cultural differences between, Pan-Asians in the United States. PASA provides support to Asian students at SSA.
Student Advocate for Veterans Association (SAVA)
Student Alliance for Mental Health and Wellness