Social Workers Support Affirmative Action Efforts to Increase Diversity on College Campuses

NASW, CSWE, NADD, BPD, and GADE File Amicus Brief in Support of the University of Michigan

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), along with several leading social work organizations, today filed an amicus, or “friend of the court,” brief in support of the University of Michigan’s affirmative action program. The other social work organizations include the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Inc (BPD), and the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE).

Social workers have long supported the intent of affirmative action legislation that seeks to correct the present affects of past discrimination that excludes certain individuals from opportunities.  NASW members work to advance both future and present-day parity and believe that the goals of programs such as affirmative action should be to provide access to qualified individuals, who either historically or directly have been denied opportunities because of race, gender, ethnicity, or economic status while preventing the recurrence of discrimination. 

“In the University of Michigan case, campus diversity challenges students to step outside their comfort zone and learn about other cultures, while exploring other ideas, ” says NASW president Terry Mizrahi, PhD. "This is precisely what we should expect from higher education.”

BPD president, Spencer Zeiger, PhD, adds, “The University of Michigan program is not about quotas, it is about ensuring the opportunity for qualified people to receive a high quality education.”

Jean Quam, PhD, president of NADD concurs with her peers, “We regret that the complexity of the admissions processes in our programs are not better understood.  Those in higher education strive for a student body that fully reflects the wide variety of cultures in our society today.”  She adds, “It is critically important that we do not move backwards in our commitment to affirmative action.

For more information on social work’s commitment to affirmative action, or to learn more about this case, please contact NASW Public Affairs at media@naswdc.org.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 145,000 members.  It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and advocacy.

CSWE is the national association of social work education programs and individuals that ensure and enhance the quality of social work education for a professional practice that promotes individual, family, and community well-being, and social and economic justice.

The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) whose membership is comprised of directors of established social work or social welfare doctoral programs located in accredited universities.  It provides a forum for sharing ideas and strategies, and for strengthening member’s efforts at enhancing doctoral education.

The National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD) focuses on advancing excellence and interests of social work education, educating the general public as the needs of social work education, encourages financial support and research for social work education, and provides a forum for members to discuss problems and opportunities in social work education.

The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Inc. (BPD) is an association of BSW program administrators, faculty, field directors, and others dedicated to the promotion of excellence in baccalaureate social work education.