New KU School of Social Welfare home at Green Hall puts students first

LAWRENCE – When KU social work students arrive on the Lawrence campus for the spring 2025 semester, they’ll be headed to a new academic home.

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is relocating from Twente Hall to Green Hall in January, moving into the third floor of Green Hall. An extensive renovation of the space is designed to meet student needs.

“This really has been developed with a student-first approach,” said Michelle Carney, dean of the School of Social Welfare. “In every area, we were asking, ‘What’s best for our students?’ How do we create a space that works for group work, conversations, and all the things we do in social work?”

Renovation highlights

The renovated space in Green Hall includes:

• Dedicated lecture classroom, 310 Green Hall, for undergraduate and graduate social work classes.
• Dedicated seminar classroom, for doctoral social work classes.
• Several student study and lounge spaces.
• New single-use restroom.
• Student computer lab, with three PC stations, space to work on laptop computers, and a copier/scanner/printer for students to use.
• Newly created reception area to welcome guests and prospective students.
• Office space for School of Social Welfare faculty, research staff, administrative staff and doctoral students.
• Central office locations for the Practicum Education Office, Social Welfare academic program directors, and dean’s administration.
• Student-focused conference room and meeting space.

On their way to class, students will pass offices for the School’s student support coordinator; writing coach; academic advisors for undergraduate and graduate programs; graduate admissions staff; and the Practicum Education Office.

“Students really won’t have to travel far to get the support that they need,” Carney said.

Green Hall also houses the KU School of Law; the law school is located on floors 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the building. An embedded clinician with KU Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) will support law and social work students by providing counseling services and well-being programs.

Timeline

The School of Social Welfare will move out of Twente Hall at the end of the fall semester. Faculty and staff will work remotely beginning Dec. 13, through the first half of January. Current social work students will have access to Twente Hall during finals week, Dec. 16-20.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in mid-January, before the beginning of the spring semester. Green Hall's newly renovated third floor is expected to open to students on Jan. 21, the first day of spring classes.

Check socwel.ku.edu/green-hall for updates.