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School of Social Work News

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  •  We CU community-engaged scholars program 

    You are invited to participate in the Fall 2020 We CU Community Engaged Scholars program. We CU honors students for their community-based work and provides them with training, connection to like-minded peers, and support from We CU program leaders. Students completing 20 hours of service each semester will be honored at a spring awards ceremony, with distinct recognition given to those who complete 300 hours of service over the course of four years.   

    Information Sessions

    Tuesday, September 29, 4 - 5 p.m.
    Wednesday, September 30, 6 - 7 p.m.
    Thursday, October 1, noon - 1 p.m.

    This opportunity will be particularly attractive to the following groups of students:  

    Students enrolled in academic programs that have built-in service requirements. These service hours can count toward We CU scholar recognition.  

    Studentsparticipatinginservicelearningcoursesor groups. We CU matches projects from community organizations with service learning courses and groups. These service hours can count toward We CU scholar recognition.  

    Students motivated to enrich their university experience, build their resume/CV, and make a positive impact in the community. We CU allows to students to view and sign up for open service opportunities. Students may also gain recognition for self-identified service  

    The fall scholars program follows an incredibly successful summer pilot empowering University of Illinois students to (remotely) respond to community needs and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, 232 scholars representing 12 colleges across campus were recognized for their program participation and service over the 10-week summer program. Collectively, these students worked with more than 30 organizations, logging 4500 hours of community-based service.  

    Please refer to the one-page program summary, including frequently asked questions, and contact we-cu@illinois.edu with additional questions.  

    Students may submit their interest in joining the program at go.illinois.edu/WeCUfall2020.  

  • Critical Language Scholarship Information Session 10/2

    The Critical Language Scholarship, provided by the U.S. Department of State, is a fully-funded, intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for undergraduate and graduate students.  A list of eligible languages is available here.

    The CLS institutes cover one academic year of university-level language coursework in 8 to 10 weeks over the summer, and include cultural programming, local language partners, and excursions. Participants receive academic credit at their U.S. institutions.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age and enrolled in a degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level.  For more information, please visit: http://www.clscholarship.org/.  

    Time: Oct 2, 2020 03:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
    Join Zoom Meeting https://illinois.zoom.us/j/92174217157?pwd=K2dDMElWNXBCSXY2U2xSOVAxeUNTZz09
    Meeting ID: 921 7421 7157
    Password: CLS

    For more information, contact the National and International Scholarships Program at topscholars@illinois.edu or visit our website at www.topscholars.illinois.edu.

  • University Y Bailey Global Scholars

    Beginning October 5, we will launch Bailey Global Scholars, a 7-month scholarship program designed to help University of Illinois students grow as responsible and engaged global citizens by supporting critical reflection, dialogue, and action across differences of culture and power. Bailey Global Scholars will participate in an online "Education through Global Engagement" program during the Spring 2021 semester culminating in a volunteer immersion (virtual or in person) capstone experience during Summer 2021. Participants will also receive a $1000 academic scholarship for the Spring 2021 semester. Applications are due November 8, 2020. Learn more at universityymca.org/bailey/global

  • Let's Vote 2020

    A quick reminder that election day is November 3rd. 

    Please see this wonderful PowerPoint created by Marie Caldwell about voting in this fall's election.

    Remember:

    Check if you're registered to vote
    Register to vote
    Vote by mail OR
    Vote in person

    Own your vote!

  • Free Flu Shots with Student Insurance

    FREE flu shots are now available to all U of I students who have paid the Health Service Fee. A University of Illinois ID card must be presented at the time of service. McKinley Health Center encourages all students to get their flu shot. Shots are available M-F from 9 am to 3:00 pm at CRCE (1102 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana). Note: McKinley Health Center is NOT a location for flu shots this year.

  • Women's Resources Center Confidential Advising Still Available

    WRC services are still available although they are working remotely. They want to make sure all students, staff, and faculty are aware that their confidential advising services are still available to you. Students, staff, faculty, and their support persons in need of confidential advising services related to sexual assault and harassment, stalking, sexual exploitation, and abuse within a relationship are eligible for these services. In-person services are temporarily suspended; however, phone/virtual advocacy and support for new, past, or currently-served clients and their support persons are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

     

    Those interested can find out more information about our services and how to schedule an appointment at https://oiir.illinois.edu/womens-center

  • WMD and Proliferation

    The international community faces no shortage of challenges when it comes to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. The crisis in US-Russia relations, the slow pace of nuclear disarmament, the future of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and the emergence of new technologies with military applications–these are just a few of the issues that nuclear policy professionals are working to address today. Each of these problems will require creative ideas and novel methodologies to surmount.

    In this talk, Sarah Bidgood and Dave Schmerler (UIUC 2012) will highlight different opportunities and approaches to contribute to this process.  They will focus in particular on the need for greater diversity, including gender diversity, among experts and practitioners in this field. All students, regardless of their prior knowledge of nonproliferation, disarmament, or arms control, are welcome to attend.

    This event takes place online on October 1 at 5pm central, registration is required at:

    https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/868548055

  • EPSY 203 courses are open for enrollment!

    These experiential classes are highly interactive, and help students develop various skills. These skills include critical thinking, listening, perspective taking, and critical self-reflection. Students are also challenged to develop awareness and understanding of critical intergroup relations issues affecting individuals, organizations and communities.

    We are offering the following EPSY 203 Dialogue course topics:

    Exploring Disability; Wednesdays, 5:00-6:50 pm Being White in a Multicultural Society; Mondays, 5:00-6:50pm Race/Ethnicity dialogue; Wednesdays, 5:00-6:50pm Liberal/Conservative dialogue; Mondays, 3:00-4:50pm Exploring Social Class; Tuesdays, 1:00-2:50pm Exploring Social Class; Tuesdays, 5:00-6:50pm Race/Ethnicity dialogue; Tuesdays, 12:00-1:50pm

  • Statistics Skills Lab with Dr. Rachel Garthe

    October 9, 2020
    1-3 PM

    Open to all SSW students

    REGISTER TODAY

    The Statistics Skills Lab will provide an overview for how students can use statistical concepts and analyses to answer social work practice- or organization-oriented questions. The workshop will look at examples of when to use statistical techniques when working with individual clients, as well as techniques for working with small and large groups. Thus, this workshop is not meant to teach statistical theory or equations, but rather provide a hands-on skills lab to explore the application of statistics in social work. The course will be taught by Dr. Rachel Garthe, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work. Dr. Garthe has been teaching statistics courses for the last six years and is extensively trained in statistical methods.

    The course will begin with a brief recap for students: reviewing how types of variables lead you to select different types or options of statistical analyses. Next, students will have a brief orientation to organizing and preparing data for analysis using Excel. For the rest of the workshop students will be reviewing common statistical techniques that they will likely encounter in the field, with accompanying Excel demonstrations and practice problems. Students will be provided with step-by-step guides, demonstration videos, and practice problems to learn how to use statistics to answer practical social work questions.

  • Fall 2020 OMSA Services Online!

    For Fall 2020, the Office of Minority Student Affairs’ (OMSA) Tutoring and Academic Services will be offered online. The OMSA offers free tutoring and academic services. Matched tutoring, online self-paced workshops and academic skills consultations are among the services featured in the OMSA’s Academic Services Center (ASC) located at 1103 W. Oregon, Suite E, Urbana, Il. OMSA's services are designed to help students achieve in college. The level of rigor at the University of Illinois is different than in high school or community college. No matter how you performed before attending Illinois, there is always room to hone your study skills.

    To learn more about their tutoring services and to sign up for a tutor, visit https://www.omsa.illinois.edu/programs/tutoring/tutoring/.To learn more about their academic skills consultations and to request a consultation, visit https://tutortrac.omsa.illinois.edu/TracWeb40/Default.html.To learn more about the self-paced workshops and to take advantage of their self-paced workshops, visit https://www.omsa.illinois.edu/programs/tutoring/workshops/.

    You are encouraged to make the most of your tutoring and workshop session(s) by:

    Requesting a tutor at the beginning of the term. Come to each of your tutoring or workshop sessions prepared. Preparation includes having your textbooks, notes, and specific questions concerning the material. The more you prepare, the more you will get out of the session. Tutors do not serve as a substitute for our instructional faculty. They will not "lecture" or "re-teach." They will provide strategies to help you improve your approach to mastering your course content. Tutoring is not a substitute for missed classes. If you miss class, make sure you get notes from a classmate and meet with your professor during office hours.