Columnist misses point of gender studies
The apex of Daniel Greenberg’s argument was the desire for classes on weaponry, explosives and Marcus Aurelius? (“”Why we need a Men’s Studies Department,”” Feb. 19, 2009) That’s the type of education best left to the History Channel and I believe the author has missed the point.
The reason we have a Women’s Studies Department is to achieve insight to the lesser-known impacts of women in history and politics, not to gab about Vogue and eyelash curlers. A true men’s studies curriculum would have topics concerning the impact of feminism on traditional male roles, how those roles came to be and whether men even want them anymore.
Rather than studying the male influence in warfare, perhaps that energy could be channeled to education for our changing society, as well as the male, and female, role in bettering our future.
Rachel Mayer
psychology senior
Social workers provide irreplaceable service to community
The proposed closure of the Tucson Component of the Arizona State University School of Social Work is a shortsighted approach to current state budget issues. By providing specialized education to talented and committed students and producing professional social workers for our local region, this irreplaceable program has made a strong mark in our community and strengthened the lives of our citizens. The small savings that may result from closing its doors must be weighed against the impact of its loss to southern Arizona.
Classes have been offered through the ASU Tucson Component since 1972. The University of Arizona does not offer undergraduate or graduate social work degrees – so this closure would leave Tucson completely bereft of any program within 110 miles and some southern Arizona communities left even farther apart. Why do we need social workers? Because when there are abused children, neglected elderly, people struggling with mental illness, families dealing with substance abuse or physical and mental abuse, social workers make the difference. Faculty, students and graduates of the program provide leadership, research, grants and direct services throughout southern Arizona. In organizations across our community – schools, hospitals, hospice, clinics, protective services, government offices – social workers play needed roles. Most don’t make big salaries or have exciting titles but they make a huge difference at those moments in life when individuals, children and families are most vulnerable.
Throughout its existence, demand for the ASU Tucson program has been consistently high. Students come from all over southern Arizona to take classes. In the last 30 years, there have been over 1000 graduates of the program. These students often juggle their classes with either full or part-time work. Yet they do this because they believe that the skills they are gaining as professional social worker are skills that will serve for a lifetime.
We live today in a turbulent and troublesome economic environment. Social workers are creative – they help folks who are having a tough time find the resources they need, preventing further problems for families that end up becoming costly to the community as well. It seems contradictory that in this time of economic crisis in our nation, and at a moment when we have a documented shortage of social workers in Southern Arizona, that the choice is being proposed to cut out this program.
Now is the time to recognize and applaud the contributions of the ASU School of Social Work Tucson Component and its role in the fabric of our community. As a community that cares for the weakest as well as the strongest, we hope you will raise your voice to the legislature, the governor and ASU to remind them that social workers are needed, wanted and required for Tucson to continue to be the compassionate community we all love.
W. Mark Clark,
President and CEO, CODAC Behavioral Health Services Inc.
Alice E. Udall,
CEO Netwest Development, ACSW Child Welfare Advocate
