SPH School-Wide Committees.

The Governing Council (GC) is the senior governance body for the school and has approval authority for school-wide policy setting, and other strategic activities. It advises the Dean on senior administrative appointments.

The Research Committee makes recommendations regarding administrative policies to enhance the research environment and the research productivity of the faculty. The committee is also responsible for evaluating internal proposals for pilot grant and transition fund support. The Research Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement. In addition to the six department representatives, membership includes the Assistant Dean for Research Administration, the Executive Director of the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytic Center (BEDAC), the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Faculty Affairs office, and at least one student representative.

The Education Committee oversees all of the School’s educational programs. It reviews proposals for new educational programs and new courses, oversees the student evaluation process, and regularly reviews the curricula of each program. It also selects faculty to receive semester and annual teaching awards. The Education Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Education. In addition to the six department representatives, membership includes the directors of the DrPH, MPH, and undergraduate programs, the Assistant Dean of Lifelong Learning, and one representative from the PhD and MS programs. The representatives are appointed by the Dean or their designate. The Education Committee also includes the Director of Educational Initiatives, the Registrar, and at least one student representative.

The Practice Advisory Committee (also known as the Practice Committee) is the steering committee for practice initiatives, community relations and outreach, and student and staff service activities at the School. It is responsible for strengthening the School’s networks with public health agencies, establishing new affiliations with external organizations, engaging the School with the global public health practice community, and promoting practice activities within the School. The Practice Advisory Committee is chaired by the Associate Dean for Public Health Practice. In addition to the six department representatives, membership includes the Director of Graduate Student Life, the Assistant Dean for Career Engagement, and at least one student representative.

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee serves as the coordinating body for affairs regarding the SPH Diversity & Inclusion 11-point plan. The committee, is comprised of senior administration, faculty, student representatives, and staff members. This group is charged with examining diversity and inclusion efforts within educational programs, student services, alumni relations and works to create advocacy and support in all of the School’s programs and services.

The Appointments and Promotions Committee is responsible for the review and approval of faculty appointments and promotions, as set forth in the guidelines for faculty appointments and promotions. The Dean appoints the chair of the Appointment and Promotions committee from the full professors at the School. All members shall be terminally promoted faculty members. At least one member of the faculty on the A+P is a modified track faculty member and at least one member is an unmodified track faculty member. Aspirationally, all academic tracks of the school would be represented on the A+P committee by terminally promoted faculty. The A+P committee consults outside faculty on an ad hoc basis to complement experience and expertise on the committee on a case by case basis. The Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement and a member of the School’s Faculty Resources Office serve as ex-officio members.

The Administrative Council (AC) serves as the coordinating body for all administrative matters impacting the school, spanning broad functional areas ranging from human resources, to facilities, budget planning and more. The AC is chaired by the Associate Dean of Administration & Finance and is comprised of senior administrative leaders supporting the School’s various administrative programs and services. This administrative body meets at least monthly. View the most up-to-date list of Administrative Council members.

The Directors Group (DG) is chaired by the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance and it is comprised of all administrative directors of the academic departments as well as central units at SPH. This group meets monthly to discuss matters directly impacting the day-to-day operations of such academic departments and central teams. View the most up-to-date list of Directors Group members.

The Doctor of Public Health Committee implements all DrPH program guidelines and is the final authority in approving or disapproving a student’s DrPH studies. The committee also delegates authority to other persons (such as the dissertation committee for a student’s doctoral dissertation) for specific functions. It is composed of faculty representatives from throughout the School of Public Health, the Director of the DrPH Program, who chairs this committee.

The Doctoral Programs Committee oversees marketing, admissions, recruitment, retention, curriculum, and satisfactory student progress to ensure that doctoral programs meet compliance and quality standards. It is chaired by the Associate Dean for Education and includes the faculty directors of each PhD program, faculty representatives from departments who do not have PhD programs, the director of the DrPH program, as well as key staff from the admissions and education offices.

The Enrollment Committee sets the strategic direction for all SPH enrollment efforts with a focus on graduate education. The committee analyzes enrollment data from the previous year and uses it to gauge standards for current MPH and MS admissions. It reviews the content, timing, and sequence of communications with applicants; oversees efforts to enhance student diversity; reviews the suite of marketing materials across all media channels; evaluates the substance and quality of prospective and accepted student days; reviews proposals for strategic partnerships; and sets targets for upcoming admissions cycles. The committee includes members from the admissions, communications, and education offices and is chaired by the Enrollment Marketing Strategy Manager.

The Faculty Development Committee is responsible for building an effective faculty development program. The committee works closely with the department chairs, associate deans, and the Faculty Senate to design, monitor, and evaluate faculty development programs and activities in education, research, practice, and management. These activities are integrated with faculty development efforts on the Medical Campus and at the University. The committee is comprised of one faculty member from each department and is chaired by the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development.

The School of Public Health is dedicated to affecting positive change by supporting sustainability, in order to help our community and the environment. The Green Team focuses on SPH initiatives to reduce waste and electricity use, and recommend vendors and purchasing choices. The committee collaborates with Sustainability@BU, ensuring a consistent flow of information, resources and training as related to sustainability endeavors. The Green Team is chaired by the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance and it is comprised of faculty, staff and students engaging in strategic thinking and action to ensure that the School of Public Health operates in a healthier way, balancing efficiency and innovation in support of sustainability.

The Masters Programs Committee oversees marketing, admissions, recruitment, retention, curriculum, and satisfactory student progress to ensure that the MPH and MS programs meet compliance and quality standards. It is chaired by the Associate Dean for Education and includes the faculty directors of each MS program, the director of the MPH program, the director of the dual degree programs, the director of undergraduate programs, as well as key staff from the admissions and education offices.

The MPH Admissions Committee establishes criteria for admission, reviews and discusses applications to the School, and makes recommendations for admission to the Admissions Office. The committee is comprised of at least one full-time member from each department and chaired by the Associate Dean for Education.

The MS Admissions Committee establishes criteria for admission, reviews and discusses applications to the School, and makes recommendations for admission to the Admissions Office. The committee is comprised of at least one full-time member from each department and chaired by the Associate Dean for Education.

The Practicum Committee consists of ten faculty and four staff who set and ensure that practicum is a robust learning experience for students. Faculty are responsible for reviewing and approving practicum proposals, conducting midpoint and final assessments of competencies, and reviewing and assessing student work products. Staff manage the Practicum Portal online system, are the first point of contact for students, supervisors, and faculty, and are responsible for reviewing and approving student submissions during the three stages of the practicum experience.

The Sponsored Programs Operating Committee (SPOC) identifies, discusses, addresses issues, shares ideas, and develops school-wide best practices for the management of sponsored research activities. The committee includes the SPH department directors and grants management staff, and is chaired by the Assistant Dean for Research Administration.