‘States of change’? One hundred years of the JUC

ABSTRACT

The Joint University Council for Social Studies (JUCSS) was formed 100 years ago at the end of the First World War in 1918. Its expressed aim was to coordinate and develop the work of social study departments across the UK, as part of the larger project of post-war reconstruction. In October 2018, an event entitled ‘States of Change?’ was held in London to celebrate this history and to explore what, if any, kind of future the JUC (as currently constituted) should have. At the event, I gave a short historical presentation that examined social work education’s history in the context of the JUCSS’s origins and development. This paper picks up some of the key ideas from this presentation in more detail. It will be argued that tensions which existed in the formation of the JUCSS in 1918 still exist today, not least because they are emblematic of the ambivalences and complexities that are at the heart of social work and social work education, then and now. Furthermore, it will be suggested that social work as an academic discipline must pay heed to these tensions if it is to survive—and thrive—in the academy today. (192)     

The Medical Excuse Game Revisited

Academic policies that require medical excuses are based on mistrust of students and conflict with institutional honor codes. Such policies undermine the philosophical and educational foundations of higher education; namely, to model and nurture honesty, integrity, and citizenship in emerging adults. Instead, they encourage hypocrisy and exaggeration by requiring students to prove they are sick enough to produce temporary disability. More pragmatically, the "game" also consumes valuable clinician time. The authors describe their experiences with medical excuse policies at their respective institutions and offer suggestions for other colleges and universities.     

The Prevalence of Stalking Among College Students: The Disparity Between Researcher- and Self-identified Victimization

Abstract

Objective: Researchers examined the prevalence of self-identified and researcher-identified stalking victimization among college students. Participants and Methods: A representative sample of 1,573 (70.1% female; 29.9% male) student respondents completed an online stalking questionnaire. Results: Overall, 12% self-identified as having been stalked. Additionally, 42.5% (45.4% female; 35.7% male) of students reported experiencing at least 1 behavioral indicator of stalking victimization; however, only 24.7% of those self-identified as being stalked (25.6% female; 22.0% male). Conclusions: Stalking is a serious problem in the college community. A concern that needs to be addressed is the disparity between the number of those who met the behavioral criteria for stalking victimization, but who did not self-identify as a victim. The consequences of stalking victimization are highlighted. Recommendations for addressing this issue on campus are detailed in a plan that may help improve the retention, progression, and graduation rates for stalking victims.     

Quantifying Littered Cigarette Butts to Measure Effectiveness of Smoking Bans to Building Perimeters

Abstract

Objective: The authors estimated the number of violations of a university policy that prohibited smoking within 25 ft of all campus buildings. Participants: The project was conducted by 13 student researchers from the university and a member of the local public health department. Methods: Students quantified cigarette butts that were littered in a 30-day period inside the prohibited smoking area of 7 campus buildings (large residential hall, small residential hall, administrative building, 2 academic buildings, campus cafeteria, and student union). Results: Investigators found a total of 7,861 cigarette butts (large residential hall: 1,198; small residential hall: 344; administrative building: 107; 2 academic buildings: 1,123 and 806; campus cafeteria: 2,651; and student union: 1,632). Conclusions: Findings suggest that there is low compliance with the university's smoking policy. The described project may be repeated by students at other universities as a method to advocate for policy change.     

Perceived Continuing Education Needs and Job Relevance of Health Education Competencies Among Health Education and Promotion Practitioners in College Health Settings

Objective and Participants: The author conducted this study to determine college health education and promotion practitioners' perceived continuing education needs and perceived job relevance in relation to national health education responsibilities and competencies. Methods: In Spring 2006, the author invited college health education and promotion professionals to participate in an online survey, using 3 listservs. Of 276 individuals visiting the Web site, 141 participants completed the survey (51%). Participants rated their perceived training needs and job relevance for the 35 National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) competencies as well as preferred training formats. Results: Participants identified the following competencies as those in which they needed additional training: designing data-collection instruments, securing fiscal resources, interpreting evaluation and research results, carrying out evaluation and research plans, and developing plans for evaluation and research. They identified the following competencies as being the most relevant to their jobs: demonstrating a variety of skills in delivering strategies, interventions, and programs; using a variety of methods to implement strategies, interventions, and programs; initiating a plan of action; and using health-related information resources. The most preferred methods of obtaining additional continuing education were attending the American College Health Association annual meeting (67%) and completing home self-study print materials (67%). Conclusions: Collegiate professional organizations should offer a variety of continuing education opportunities centering on NCHEC competencies, specifically those perceived as needed by study participants.     

社会组织在推进社会管理创新中的现状、作用和对策研究——基于湖南岳阳市社会组织发展现状之视角

要切实重视社会组织的作用,把社会组织培育壮大成为社会管理的主体力量,解决社会组织的"定性"问题;适应社会管理创新的需要,加大力度转移政府职能,形成政府与社会组织的良性互动,解决社会组织"定位"问题;切实治理和优化培育发展社会组织的环境,增强社会组织在社会管理中的服务能力,解决社会组织的"定型"问题;认真学习和借鉴国外促进社会组织健康发展的有益经验,充分发挥社会组织在现代社会中的作用、解决社会组织的"定向"问题。     

新型综合性农协的发展路径探析——以山西永济蒲韩乡村社区为例

山西永济蒲韩乡村社区是一个以农民精英为主导的,集经济合作和公共服务为一体的,跨乡镇的新型农民自治组织.该社区组织是在乡村治理出现诸多问题时应运而生的,在其发展过程中也面临着内外环境的困扰.综合性农协会走出困境,需要有法律法规和政策的支持,以及农协会自身制度建设,并与基层组织和村两委形成乡村治理中的互动关系.     

Nursing Home Social Services Directors Who Report Thriving at Work

Nationally representative data from a sample (n?=?928) of full-time nursing home social services directors were used to investigate whether knowing characteristics of the social environment at work can help to explain which directors report job thriving. Two-thirds of directors reported they were thriving in their jobs. Multiple regression results show that thriving is increased by job autonomy, being treated like an important part of the team, having enough time to identify and meet resident psychosocial needs, not having to do things that others could do, and being clear what the social services role is. Findings suggest that addressing these aspects of the social environment and social services role will likely contribute to increasing a sense of thriving at work among social services staff members.     

浅析公共管理视角下失地农民公民权利的实现

公民的权利实现和管理公共事务问题历来十分受重视,而现代公共管理所强调的公共性、服务性极大地推进了公民权利的发展。失地农民的社会保障问题恰恰反映了现如今在我国公共管理与公民权利实现之间的关系问题。我国的公共管理应以公共性、服务性为指导,为失地农民建立一个安全有力的社会保障体系,保障失地农民公民权利的实现。     

适时介入、市场重塑与协同创新--奥巴马政府的汽车产业政策分析

在2008—2009年的经济危机中,美国的汽车产业遭受了严重冲击,为此奥巴马政府出台了积极的汽车产业政策。通过从救助汽车企业和扶助汽车产业发展2个维度的考察发现,在救助濒临破产企业时,政府一度介入企业的管理决策。而在扶助汽车产业时,政府加大公共投资,形成投资驱动;研发政策带动科技创新,形成创新驱动;通过规则制定、消费引导和联邦政府采购等政策,形成了政策驱动。奥巴马政府的汽车产业政策跨越了倡议和引导,进入了政府协同汽车产业发展的阶段。基于上述分析,可进而研究奥巴马政府的汽车产业政策特征。研究表明：这一政策既具有往届政府产业政策的固有特征,如以问题为导向、市场化运作以及以法律为依据等。同时,也具有定位产业方向和更注重研发与创新等新特征。探讨奥巴马政府的汽车产业政策,可为中国目前的产业政策调整提供借鉴。