b Description of the program’s governance and committee structure and processes.

The MPH program has considerable autonomy within the Health Science and Recreation Department. Most MPH program policies, procedures, and standards are developed within the context of ongoing dialogue among and between program faculty and MPH students. Formal committees or working groups oversee and implement specific aspects of program planning,

implementation, evaluation, and improvement. The appropriate governing body (MPH Core faculty, MPH Student Association, or Health Science and Recreation Department faculty) makes formal decisions based on committee or working group recommendations. All Health Science and Recreation Department faculty members are welcome to participate in any committees or ad hoc groups relating to the MPH program.

 General program policy development - the MPH program follows the policies of the University and Graduate Studies, particularly as they relate to admission, matriculation, advancement to candidacy, academic standards, and graduation. Within these guidelines, program-specific policies are developed by the MPH Core faculty, often in collaboration with the MPH Student Association Leadership. When necessary, policies and procedures are also

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presented for discussion and/or approval to the Health Science and Recreation Department faculty.

 Planning - the MPH program faculty participates in all department short-term and long-term planning efforts. Per department policy and practice, the majority of departmental planning occurs in the specific program meetings. Final plans of any significance to an individual program, and all plans that might impact other programs or the department as a whole, are brought before the Health Science and Recreation faculty for discussion and/or vote. These discussions establish the departmental context for program-specific planning. The MPH Program Core faculty participates in an annual Spring Planning retreat convened by the MPH Director. Spring Planning is designed to finalize ideas and proposals developed throughout the academic year and to prioritize new initiatives for the year ahead. MPH program faculty also participate in a spring Department retreat

 Budget and Resource Allocation - the Chair prepares the Health Science and Recreation Department annual budget. The budget is based on the allocation from the College Dean and any other sources of revenue available to the department. The MPH program does not have a separate departmental budget allocation. Instead, it operates within the budget guidelines established for the entire department (i.e., phone, postage, copying, office supplies, and equipment). The department provides partial support for key MPH program events, such as New Student Orientations and sponsored MPH-Student Association events. The MPH distance component is a self-supported (special session) program that generates its own income from the student tuition fees that are on per-unit basis. Per university policy the income

generated through special session can only be used for special session purposes, and not for state general fund expenses, unless there is a clear connection between the special session program and the general fund expenses. Budget oversight and allocation is conducted by the Dean and the Chair.

 Student Recruitment, Admission, and Award of Degrees - all MPH faculty members take responsibility for promoting the program within the college, the university, and the community. Admission to the Graduate Division of the University is a prerequisite for admission to the MPH program. Applicants who meet the University's graduate admission criteria are reviewed by the MPH Admissions Committee, which is made up of MPH Core faculty members who review and score the application materials and rank the applicants. For campus admissions, students occasionally volunteer to participate in discussions about mixed admissions ratings and subsequent decisions. The Admissions Committee has sole authority to recommend admission to the MPH Program. The MPH faculty has opportunities for input into graduate policies and procedures through the Directors’ participation in Graduate Coordinators meetings convened periodically by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. Final approval for awarding the MPH degree is made by the AVP for GS&R upon review of the candidate's completed course of study and verification by the MPH Program Director of successful completion of an approved culminating experience.

 Faculty Recruitment, Retention, Promotion, and Tenure - the recruitment and appointment of faculty follow university policies and procedures. Within the policy guidelines, MPH faculty members participate in all department faculty recruitment efforts. Review of faculty finalists typically involves all department faculty members in a full day with each of three top candidates. The interviews include a formal faculty presentation and discussion, informal lunch meeting with students and community partners, and teaching demonstration in an appropriate class.

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Selection recommendations are made by a department personnel committee (composed of tenured faculty per university policy) and forwarded to the College Dean for final selection. The university's retention, tenure, and promotion policies involve formal opportunities for input and peer review from department faculty. The first level of retention, tenure, and promotion recommendations are made by personnel committees elected from eligible department faculty (tenured and with higher rank). Tenured faculty members are reviewed by similar committees every five years. The Department is expected to have a faculty representative on the College Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Committee each year.

 Academic Standards and Policies - the academic standards and policies of the MPH program follow the guidelines of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. These policies are further elaborated through dialogue within the MPH Core faculty, with other department faculty, and with the MPH Student Association as relevant. Final responsibility for implementing the academic standards and policies of the MPH program lies with the MPH Core faculty. Decisions that impact the resources of the department must be brought before the full faculty for open vote.  Research and service expectations and policies - the university retention, tenure, and

promotion policy establishes expectations for research and service for all tenured and tenure track faculty. These broad guidelines are elaborated for individual faculty in the appointment letters from the College Dean, based upon the recommendations of the department Personnel Committee. Through participation on the department and college retention, tenure, and promotion committees; tenured MPH program faculty members have opportunities to formally participate in interpretation of these policies, as well as to guide junior faculty in development of an appropriate complement of research and service.

1.5.c. A copy of the constitution, bylaws or other policy document that determines the rights