SPH Bylaws.

The School of Public Health is a school at Boston University, located on the Boston University Medical Campus. The School is subject to the policies and procedures of Boston University, the University Provost, and the Medical Campus Provost.

The mission of the School shall be to improve the health and well-being of populations worldwide, particularly the underserved, through excellence and innovation in education, research, and practice.

The Dean will have direct oversight over all educational, research, and service programs and over the administrative and budgetary aspects of the School.

The Dean will:

1. Be responsible for the review and analysis of existing educational, research, service, and administrative programs, identification of program problems, and development of recommendations for improvement.
2. Develop annually, with the department chairs and heads of administrative units, a budget for the School for submission to the Medical Campus Provost, University Provost, and the President of the University.
3. Negotiate contracts with faculty and staff subject to University policies and approvals.
4. Approve in advance of submission all applications for grant monies for the support of teaching, training, or research.
5. Coordinate the activities of the School with the other Medical Campus schools.
6. Preside at meetings of the School Assembly.
7. Chair the Governing Council.
8. Be an ex officio member of all standing committees.
9. Appoint the chairs of all committees except the Governing Council.
10. Approve the members of all committees except the Governing Council.
11. Have such other duties, responsibilities, and authority as may be delegated to the Dean from time to time by the Medical Campus Provost, University Provost, or the President of the University.

1. The organizational units of the School shall be departments, school-wide centers, and administrative offices. An organizational chart is available as Appendix A. Detailed organizational charts are available in the Faculty and Staff Handbooks.
2. Requests for creation, modification, and elimination of departments and centers may be initiated by the School’s faculty, associate deans, or Dean, and must be approved by the Governing Council and University Provost. Requests for the creation, modification, and elimination of administrative offices may be initiated by the School’s faculty, associate deans, or Dean, and must be approved by the Governing Council.
3. Faculty appointments are made to a department, though faculty may work interdepartmentally and within centers and offices as agreed upon with their department chair.

Associate deans will be appointed by the Dean and shall serve at the pleasure of the Dean. They will perform such duties as are assigned to them by these bylaws and by the Dean.

1. Senior Associate Dean
   A senior associate dean may be appointed by the Dean to represent the School in the absence of the Dean and to perform such duties as requested by the Dean. The position of senior associate dean may be assigned to a person who holds another associate dean position. Should the Dean choose to appoint a current associate dean to the position of senior associate dean, Section G1 of this article will not apply to such an appointment.
2. Associate Dean for Administration
   The Associate Dean for Administration is responsible for the School’s administrative and financial portfolio, including long-term strategic financial planning, human resources administration, sponsored research administration, building operations, infrastructure, and space planning, and works closely with the Dean and the other associate deans on all matters related to school operations.
3. Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
   The Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is responsible for promoting and coordinating the School’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) activities. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, working closely with school leadership to coordinate DEIJ activities and events, reviewing and evaluating School policies and practices to ensure best practices are being implemented appropriately, and recommending measures to enhance DEIJ practices, events, and activities.
4. Associate Dean for Education
   The Associate Dean for Education is responsible for overseeing all of the School’s academic programs. Responsibilities include curriculum planning and review, academic policy creation and implementation, faculty educational development activities, and student academic discipline.
5. Associate Dean for Practice
   The Associate Dean for Practice is responsible for the School’s practice programs and for its linkages with external organizations. Responsibilities include promoting the School’s engagement with the global public health practice community, strengthening connections with public health agencies, and promoting public health practice activities throughout the School.
6. Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement
   The Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement is responsible for promoting and coordinating the School’s research programs and for overseeing the School’s faculty development efforts. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the review and evaluation of research programs, recommending measures to enhance the quantity and quality of research at the School, creating research training and mentoring programs for faculty, overseeing the School’s Faculty Handbook, and distribution of the School’s pilot grant research program.

1. The Dean may appoint other associate or assistant deans who shall serve at the pleasure of the Dean.
2. The Dean will appoint the chairs of the departments who will serve at the pleasure of the Dean.
3. The Dean may appoint the directors or heads of academic and research units who shall serve at the pleasure of the Dean.

1. Prior to appointing an associate dean, assistant dean, or department chair, the Dean shall seek the advice of department chairs, associate deans, assistant deans, faculty, staff, and students and shall convene an advisory committee.
2. The Dean may appoint Acting Chairs, Acting Associate Deans, and Acting Assistant Deans at the Dean’s sole discretion.
3. Associate Deans may appoint assistant deans in consultation with the Dean.

1. The Governing Council will be the senior governance body for the School.
2. The Governing Council will be comprised of all associate deans, all department chairs, the elected chair and a second designated representative of the SPH Faculty Senate, the elected chair of the SPH Staff Senate, a designated representative on behalf of the SPH Student Senate, and other members of the SPH community at the Dean’s discretion.
3. The Dean will chair the Governing Council.
4. The Governing Council will have approval authority for planning, budgeting, space, school-wide policy setting, and other strategic activities. It will advise the Dean on senior administrative appointments.
5. The Governing Council will consider matters referred to it by the Dean, the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate, the department chairs, and the Student Senate.
6. The Governing Council will establish and follow formal procedures for gathering written input from the Faculty Senate, the Staff Senate, the department chairs, and the Student Senate whenever it is considering a major strategic or policy decision. Such procedures will be reviewed as indicated in the SPH policy on procedures for reviewing and approving major policy and planning initiatives, available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.
7. All standing committees of the School will report to the Governing Council. All committees may have sub-committees to help carry out the work of the committee. All standing committees are listed in the organizational chart in Appendix A of these bylaws.
8. The Governing Council will meet at least six times per year at the call of the Dean.

1. The Administrative Council will be comprised of the Associate Dean for Administration, who shall serve as chair, and at least one administrative member from each department.
2. The council shall:
   1. Implement University policies and practices pertaining to the School’s finance, sponsored research, human resources, operations, and compliance-related issues.
   2. Serve as the main communication channel for these policies and practices to the department chairs, faculty, and staff, and, as appropriate, to students.

1. The Appointments and Promotions Committee will be comprised of at least one member from each department, who shall be appointed by the respective department chair and approved by the Dean, with one member appointed chair by the Dean.
2. The committee will develop and periodically update a formal set of policies and procedures on faculty appointments and promotions. Updates to the guidelines must be compatible with the applicable sections of the University’s Faculty Handbook and approved by the Governing Council.
3. The committee shall consider all faculty promotions and appointments in accordance with established policies and procedures. Once approved by the committee, recommendations for appointment or promotion will be made to the Governing Council for their consideration.
4. The committee will keep a current roster of all SPH faculty members.

1. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee will be comprised of the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, who shall serve as chair, and at least one representative from each department.
2. The committee shall:
   1. Examine, develop, and support diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts within the School community.
   2. Advise the Governing Council on best practices in diversity recruitment and hiring, creating an inclusive environment, and actions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
   3. Serve as the main communication for these best practices to department and unit diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice committees.
   4. Make recommendations for changes in policy as necessary or desirable. Recommendations for significant policy changes will follow the approval procedure outlined in the SPH policy on procedures for reviewing and approving major policy and planning initiatives, available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.

1. The Education Committee will be comprised of the Associate Dean for Education, who shall serve as chair, at least one faculty member from each department, who shall be appointed by the respective department chair and approved by the Dean, and at least one student.
2. The committee shall:
   1. Consider all matters related to the School’s curriculum and academic policies.
   2. Evaluate periodically the School’s curriculum.
   3. Review periodically academic policies and procedures.
   4. Make recommendations for changes in policies as necessary or desirable. Recommendations for significant policy changes will follow the approval procedure outlined in the SPH policy on procedures for reviewing and approving major policy and planning initiatives, available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.
   5. Review and approve proposed competencies, degree programs, and courses.
   6. Oversee the School’s education prizes and awards.

1. The Practice Committee will be comprised of the Associate Dean for Public Health Practice, who shall serve as chair, at least one faculty member from each department, who shall be appointed by the respective department chair and approved by the Dean, and at least one student.
2. The committee shall:
   1. Consider all matters related to the School’s practice programs and policies.
   2. Review periodically practice policies and procedures.
   3. Make recommendations for changes in policy as necessary or desirable. Recommendations for significant policy changes will follow the approval procedure outlined in the SPH policy on procedures for reviewing and approving major policy and planning initiatives, available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.
   4. Oversee the School’s practice prizes and awards.

1. The Research Committee will be comprised of the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement, who shall serve as chair, at least one faculty member from each department, who shall be appointed by the respective department chair and approved by the Dean, and at least one student.
2. The committee shall:
   1. Consider all matters related to the School’s research programs and policies.
   2. Review periodically research policies and procedures.
   3. Make recommendations for changes in policy as necessary or desirable. Recommendations for significant policy changes will follow the approval procedure outlined in the SPH policy on procedures for reviewing and approving major policy and planning initiatives, available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.
   4. Coordinate efforts to develop research clusters and centers.
   5. Manage the School’s small grants program.
   6. Review and approve proposed external funding partners.
   7. Oversee the School’s research prizes and awards.

The Dean may establish other standing and ad hoc committees.

1. The chairs of the standing and ad hoc committees, except for those otherwise specified in these bylaws, shall be appointed by the Dean.
2. Additional members of committees may be appointed by the committee chairs subject to approval by the Dean.
3. Committee membership may consist of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and individuals from outside the School.
4. Where specific committee members are serving as ex officio members, they will have full voting privileges unless otherwise noted.

1. A quorum of a committee shall be a simple majority of the members.
2. A quorum must be present for a formal vote to be taken on any matter.
3. A simple majority of members present shall be required to approve a measure.
4. Committees shall retain copies of agendas and make a record of their actions.

1. The faculty will be comprised of all persons, at all ranks and tracks, who hold primary, secondary, adjunct, or emeritus appointments at SPH, as indicated in the Appointment and Promotions Guidelines in the Faculty Handbook.
2. All members of the faculty and staff may participate in discussions at School Assemblies, but only those with primary faculty appointments may vote.

1. The faculty will have the authority to recommend candidates for degrees.
2. Whenever a Dean is to be appointed, the faculty will elect representatives to an advisory committee as provided by University policy. Advisory committee candidates shall present their qualifications at a special meeting of the faculty called by the Faculty Senate. Following this meeting, a vote will be taken electronically, and the names of the candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be forwarded to the University Provost.

1. Faculty members will carry out teaching, research, service, administration, citizenship, and other duties for such periods as agreed upon with the chairs of their respective departments, the Dean, and the Medical Campus Provost.
2. Faculty will remain in service throughout the year except for appropriate vacation periods.
3. Faculty members are expected to attend regular and special School Assemblies.
4. All members of the faculty will complete an annual review and submit it to their department chair. They will then meet with the chair to discuss the evaluation and the performance expectations for the coming year.
5. Members of the faculty will also submit other reports as the Dean may require.

1. School Assemblies, with the Dean or their alternate acting as chair, will be convened at least twice during the academic year.
2. Forty members of the faculty will constitute a quorum to transact faculty-related business during School Assemblies.

1. The Faculty Senate will be an elected body that represents the faculty of the School.
2. The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to consider and act, or recommend action, as appropriate, on all matters affecting the academic and professional concerns of the faculty of the School, including any matters as may be referred to it by the Dean or the Governing Council.
3. The Faculty Senate will be governed by its own bylaws, which it alone will have the power to amend. Those bylaws are available in the SPH Faculty Handbook.