III. Faculty Senate.

The Faculty Senate is an elected body that represents the faculty of the School. The Faculty Senate is governed by its own bylaws, which it alone has the power to amend.

Its purpose is to consider and act, or recommend action, as appropriate, on all matters affecting the academic and professional concerns of the SPH faculty, including any matters as may be referred to it by the Dean or the Governing Council, and may examine and recommend action on broad issues affecting the general SPH and University community and such other matters as from time to time may be deemed appropriate.

The Faculty Senate will strive to protect academic freedom, optimize the faculty appointment and promotion processes, and encourage excellence, equity, and diversity within the faculty, staff, student body and university as a whole.

The Faculty Senate will consider and make recommendations concerning faculty at all career stages, including faculty salary and benefits policies, and toward improving the intellectual and social environment for faculty, staff, and students.

The Faculty Senate will represent the faculty in any revisions to the Faculty Handbook.

Members of the faculty senate are the uninstructed representatives of their constituents. It shall be the responsibility of the members of the Faculty Senate to seek for the opinions of their constituents. Having exercised such responsibility, the members of the Faculty Senate shall feel free to make decisions and vote on matters according to their own reasoned judgment.