Syracuse University School of Social Work Records
An inventory of the School's Records at the Syracuse University Archives
Summary |
|
| Creator: | Syracuse University. -- School of Social Work. |
| Title: | Syracuse University School of Social Work Records |
| Dates: | 1943-2010 |
| Size: | 91 boxes (82 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | The School of Social Work Records contains materials related to its history, administration, academic programs, student body, and alumni. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Historical Note
The School of Social Work at Syracuse University was founded in 1955 after the announcement of a sizeable grant from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation (the Gifford Foundation). The purpose of the grant was to establish a two-year graduate studies program that promoted social justice and positive changes within society. The program was officially launched in the fall of 1956 with an enrollment of twenty-eight full time and forty part time students. The first director of the School of Social Work was Professor Howard B. Gundy, appointed in July of 1956. Under his leadership, the School was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education in 1958. In 1959, the Gifford Foundation awarded the School with a second grant to broaden the program, followed by a third in 1961, aiding in its promotion and reaccreditation. The quick success of the School attracted the attention and funding of institutions such as the Office of Vocational Rehab of Washington, D.C. and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Originally located in Crouse House on Comstock Avenue, the School hoped to construct its own facilities after the Gifford Foundation offered another grant in 1962. Plans to start and operate a School-run social agency emerged in 1964 and, in 1965, Reuben Bitensky was named the Family Service Center’s first director. In 1968, the School was gifted $300,000 from Educational Facilities Laboratories to devise a learning center so as to strengthen the School’s impact. With this new addition, the School’s influence continued to grow within and outside of the University community. In 1995 the School was uprooted from Brockway Hall and moved into the newly renovated Sims Hall. With this move came an attempt at rebranding the School but, in 1999, the University decided to merge the School of Social Work, the College of Nursing, and the College for Human Development into the College of Human Services and Health Professions. The new College underwent a transition year before officially opening itself up to students in the fall of 2001. William L. Pollard was named founding dean of the new College.
By 2007, the entire College had undergone another rebranding, donning the new name College of Human Ecology. New programs such as Sports Development and Health and Wellness (which replaced Nursing) were created and becoming increasingly popular. In 2008, sports agent David Falk donated an impressive sum of money to the College in order to create the David B. Falk College for Sport Management and Human Dynamics, of which the School of Social Work remains a part of. Since its inception, the School of Social Work has evolved greatly, expanding both its mission and its available areas of study.
Scope and Content Note
The Syracuse University School of Social Work Records are composed of materials from 1943 to 2010. Included in the collection are general School records, dean and associate dean files, personnel and faculty files, and alumni questionnaires. The collection also contains faculty meeting minutes from 1956 to 1970, general program surveys and reports, and faculty research and publications.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
The collection is currently unprocessed and not available for research. School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years. Faculty personnel files are restricted for 80 years from date of separation from the University.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
More information on the School of Social Work can be found in the clipping files, and the photograph collection in the Syracuse University Archives.
Selected Search Terms
Names
Subjects
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Syracuse University School of Social Work Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Materials in the School of Social Work Records have been collected from the School of Social Work since the 1970's. The majority of included materials originated in the School of Social Work offices and have been donated by those offices periodically.
Processing Information
This collection has not been processed.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Erin Carter
Date: 2015
Revision history: 2016 - Reference materials added to collection and finding aid updated (AES);
20 Jun 2019 - collection name corrected (MRC);
28 Mar 2022 - restriction added (HVA)