Alabama House Moves To Eliminate UA School of Social Work Mandate
After considerable pushback from Democrats, the Alabama House has passed House Bill 152. The legislation sponsored by Jefferson County Rep. Danny Garrett (R-44) would remove a legislative mandate that the University of Alabama maintain a School of Social Work.
Established in 1965 by the Alabama Legislature to address a critical shortage of trained professionals, the University of Alabama School of Social Work. The school's website notes, "Prior to 1965 there were fewer than 100 trained social workers in the state, accounting for about 19 percent of the persons employed in the state’s social welfare positions. Forty-eight of the state’s 67 counties had no professional social workers."
Since the legislature passed a law requiring the dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion programs on state funded campuses, the School of Social Work has been plagued by allegations that it pushes diversity, equity, and inclusion and other "divisive" concepts.
The allegations prompted Jefferson County Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-60) to question UA’s motive, "It has been one of those curriculums that, you know, many people of color have gravitated to for many, many years." Givan pointed out that social workers are important in a poor state like Alabama and especially to minority communities.
Rep. Garrett pointed out the School of Social Work is the only legislatively mandated school at a state college or university in Alabama. He says UA asked for the legislation he is sponsoring to give them leeway in managing their academics. "It's the only university in the country we know that has the legislature telling them that you have to have this standalone school," Garrett stated during today's floor debate.
There are 600 students in undergraduate and graduate studies in the School of Social Work at UA.
The bill now goes to the senate for debate. If it passes the upper chamber and is signed by Governor Ivey it would become effective October 1.
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