I attended Columbia for my MSW and served as a Dean at a Social work school. This is just another step by faculty and administrators who never practiced to undermine the central mission of a school of social work.

Years ago the cswe board of directors discussed requiring social work program deans and directors to be social workers. I argued strongly in the affirmative but was overruled. This is an example of cswe chickens coming home to roost. Speak to the cswe about this so it does not happen again.

As a graduate of Social Work from the University of Georgia and a LCSW for 30 years I strongly believe that a social worker should be the Dean. Being a social worker is a special calling, education, values and identity. I would not attend a program which did not have a social worker as dean.

We in Oregon and countless other states have fought hard to ensure that non-social workers cannot represent themselves as social workers. This appointment erodes and has the potential to derail our efforts at defining our professional identity.

I can not imagine the School of Business would appoint someone with no business degree, or the School of Medicine would name a Dean with no MD. This appointment is completely inappropriate and will lower the standing of the Columbia University School of Social Work.

The Dean needs to be a social worker. An experienced social worker has the capacity for deep appreciation for system challenges, and the skills necessary to navigate the ethical dilemmas that occur chronically. That wisdom is essential for leadership at a School for Social Work.

Not good, Columbia. Not good.

Academia: Sorry, but the traditional structure of "the academy" is antithetical to the ideals of our profession. Where is the outrage against our "social work" faculty who reject and avoid licensue, claiming that they are employed as "faculty," NOT social workers? Where is the concern that so few of our faculty are members of NASW, CSWE, or BPD? And those that are "members" are so minimally involved in the organizations?(Beyond attending conferences paid for by their employers?) Where is the concern that most of our academic leaders have doctorates in "associated disciplines," rather than Social Work? Where is the depth of qualifying experience when the standard to teach practice courses is a mere two years of practice experience? Where is the accountability when our faculty colleagues in social work get away with clearly unethical behaviors such as beligerent bullying, flagrantly falsified self-promotion and academic dishonesty including plaigairism and the theft of intellectual property, with nary a venue for redress or censure from our professions academic organizations? I have persistently taught social work students that it is a part of their professional responsibility to challenge the misdeed and missteps of their employers: electing to promote and strengthen the ethical values and principles of our profession. Even at the risk to personal favor and advancement in troubled environments. Where is our disciplines acclaimed advocacy as we routinely marginize extremely qualified and experience practitioners who seek to join our ranks? Or the outrage when we bring practicing professionals on as "adjunt faculty," (share croppers)at disgraceful salarys? ("If you behave, THIS could all be yours someday.") Yes, I'm disappointed by this act at Colombia University. But not the least surprised.