School of Social Work Finds a New Campus Home in Historic Gregson Hall

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The School of Social Work in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the U of A has found a new home on the Hill.

In early January, faculty and staff moved from temporary offices on the Fayetteville Square into the ground level of Gregson Hall, a historic 1948 dorm located at the top of Dickson Street. 

Highlights of the new space include an almost 1,000-square-foot lounge area for students, a large conference and classroom area, and abundant natural light provided by large windows overlooking the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. 

The study of social work started at U of A in 1940 when the precursor to the Bachelor of Social Work program began. Through time, what later became the School of Social Work has been housed in various locations around campus, including Old Main and Carnall Hall. The most recent and permanent campus location for the school was the building known at various times as the Old Law Building, the Old Psychology Building, and ASUP.

The school moved into the historic building when the Master of Social Work programs began in 2003. In 2018, the decision was made to tear down the buildling housing the School of Social Work to make way for the new Student Success Center, necessitating a temporary off campus move for the school.   

Already, the move back to main campus has been great for morale and already promises to increase the visibility and cohesiveness of the social work community on campus, said Johanna Thomas, director of the school. 

"After spending four years on the Fayetteville Square, our faculty, staff and students are excited to be back on campus. Nothing compares to the energy of being in the heart of campus with easy access to our colleagues and students," she said. "We'd like to thank interim Dean Kathy Sloan and the associate deans of Fulbright College, and the Provost's Office for making our move back to campus a priority. We are so grateful for the support we've received over the last four years as we worked toward moving back to campus."

Moving an academic unit is no easy task, so Thomas said the school's faculty and staff also want to acknowledge the work of Facilities Management (FAMA) and University Housing in helping to make it possible and successful, "in the midst of winter precipitation and record low temperatures even." 

Thomas said that the school's faculty and staff are settling in well and are planning an open house in April so that members of the campus and greater community will have the opportunity to view the space. More details will be shared soon.