(Community Members & Allies),

We write to you asking for your support for a serious breach of ethics that has recently emerged at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW).

As you may or may not know, graduating students at the School of Social Work have been assigned to complete a "Capstone Project" that crosses serious ethical boundaries with respect to the "human subject" of their study. Over 400 graduating students have been asked to conduct a multilevel analysis on the narrative of Eli PaintedCrow, a woman veteran and co-founder of the Service Women's Action Network. Ms. PaintedCrow was never asked permission nor gave consent to be the subject of analysis for this project, and only came to know this when students contacted her directly, only a week and a half before the assignment was due.

Concerned students hosted a town hall meeting this past Tuesday (4/26), gathering 186 CUSSW students. At that time, students had the opportunity to converse directly with Ms. PaintedCrow who urged that out of dignity and respect for her narrative and service to the United States, that the microanalysis portion of the assignment (where students were initially asked to diagnose and treat Ms. PaintedCrow) be removed altogether, and that the school deliver an apology to both her, to SWAN, and to students. Members of the CUSSW administration has yet to deliver on these asks. As a result, Ms. PaintedCrow has flown to NYC to address students and members of the administration directly.

Concerned students are appalled that CUSSW continues to be complicit in the exploitation of both Ms. PaintedCrow and SWAN for the purpose of a mandatory assignment required for graduation, yet is in shocking violation of the NASW Code of Ethics.

We urge you to stay in touch with student organizers for activity in the coming week and support concerned students' efforts.