The Griffon News

In the past six months every professor in the social work department left Missouri Western State University.

Many students in the social work department had concerns that the social work major was going to be eliminated.

Another cause for student concern was that there are no introduction to social work courses offered this semester, although there are several 300 and 400 level courses offered. Introduction classes were not offered this semester because the new instructors were committed to meeting the needs of the current upperclassmen while they became acclimated to Missouri Western.

The program plans to offer the introductory level classes this spring.

Joe Belcher, former social work major, changed his major to journalism after his adviser and the other professors left.

He said he was told after the professors left that he shouldn’t take extra classes or fail any classes if he wanted to graduate in 2009.

“It was tough to change, but I wanted to be sure the degree would be available at the end of the program,” Belcher said.

When asked if there were any plans to eliminate the social work major, Pam Clary, acting social work director was emphatic.

“No, absolutely not, no,” Clary said, “Missouri Western is committed to having a strong social work program.”

While two of the vacancies have been at least temporarily filled, administration has yet to replace the third professor. As of last Friday, there were no human resource advertising for more staff for the Social Work department.

“We will be looking for a third faculty member soon,” Clary said.

Dr. Martin Johnson, dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, reiterated Clary’s definitiveness.

“Rumors that Missouri Western is eliminating the Social Work major are absolutely untrue,” Johnson said.

Johnson also stated that they plan to advertise to fill the third position this fall.

Departing professors Martha Ellison, Field Coordinator, Monica Nandan, Associate Professor, and Patricia Scott, Associate Professor, all left for various reasons.
One of the three departing professor did not leave without giving just cause and notification.

Nandan left in order to teach at a graduate level at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, but she still believes that Western has a commendable department.

“The program has a solid foundation. It just needs a strong leader and new direction,” Nandan said.

The department has hired two instructors with masters of social work degrees.
Clary and Lynn Frederick, field education director, are now instructors for the social work department.

When it comes to the foundation of the program, Clary couldn’t agree more with Nandan.

“A great foundation has been laid already,” Clary said. “I want to build on what is already here, this is my community and I want the social work program to continue.”