a Description of the program’s governance and committee structure and processes,

particularly as they affect:

• general program policy development • planning

• budget and resource allocation

• student recruitment, admission and award of degrees • faculty recruitment, retention, promotion and tenure • academic standards and policies

The Public Health committee is the principal body for making all decisions about the MPH program and making recommendations to the Dean. In all cases, decisions about the policies and procedures for the MPH program were devised (and continue to be governed) by the MPH faculty in consultation with the Dean of the School. Where the Brown School had an existing policy, procedure or department that met the needs of the MPH program, or did not need to be changed, these policies were left in place. In all cases, these were

deliberate decisions made by the MPH faculty. In all cases where curriculum, policies and procedures needed to be implemented to conform to the public health profession, CEPH guidelines and standards, or the strong desires of the MPH faculty, these policy changes have been adopted. In some cases, however, Washington University rules require that Schools govern certain policies and procedures. These cases will be explicitly identified in the Self-Study document.

Budget and Resource Allocation

The University’s budgeting process is ongoing throughout the fiscal year. The MPH program’s budget is set by the Dean in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Budget and Planning. The Dean sets the budget in meetings with the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration set three times a year. The early fall meeting includes a review of the financial results for the prior fiscal year, discussion of the near-term and long-range goals for the school, and high-level preliminary projections for the current fiscal year and the upcoming three years. The winter meetings include discussion of enrollment projections, research activities, faculty status updates (including recruitment plans), reviews of program initiatives, and presentation of updated financial projections for the current fiscal year and the upcoming three years. At the spring meeting, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year is formally presented. Comparisons to the previous year, variances in projections, the program and School’s long-range strategic plan and external forces are all discussed and considered during this review. Following the spring budget meetings, the University’s consolidated budget is formally approved by the Chancellor and Board of Trustees for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins each July 1.

Student Recruitment, Admissions and Award of Degrees

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment is responsible for MPH student recruitment. The Admissions Office reports to the Assistant Dean for Communications. An Admissions Review Committee was established to set the admission requirements and review

applications for the MPH Program. The committee consists of faculty and staff at

Washington University. The Office of Admissions and Recruitment reviews the application evaluations to finalize admission decisions. If both evaluations are in support of admission, the applicant is recommended for admission. If there is a discrepancy between the

committee members, the file will be sent to a third committee member for review. (Student recruitment, admission policies, procedures and requirements are fully outlined in criterion 4.4.a and 4.4.b.) The process for the certification of MPH degrees awarded begins with the Brown School’s Registrar’s Office. The student declares his or her intent to graduate in the final semester of study. The Registrar will confirm the student has met the following: 45 credit hours, including the culminating experience and practicum, the human biology prerequisite, and that the student will graduate with a minimum 3.0 GPA. After review and certification by the Brown School Registrar, a list of all graduating students is formally approved at a faculty meeting. The information for graduating students is forwarded to the Office of Student Records of Washington University, which awards the diploma. The degree must be completed within four years.

Faculty Recruitment, Retention, Promotion and Tenure

The MPH program and Brown School is committed to recruiting and retaining a strong and diverse faculty. The faculty and the administration participate in the development of policies and procedures for recruitment, retention, and promotion and tenure. The annual faculty recruitment process is led by the Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC), a seven- member committee comprising faculty members selected to serve by faculty vote, with the Chair of the PAC designated by the Dean. The Dean is the hiring authority, and both the Dean and the Associate Dean for Faculty provide guidance and support to the PAC, but they do not serve on the PAC. Efforts to recruit a diverse faculty are strategically embedded in the PAC recruitment processes. In addition, the Washington University Coordinating Council for Diversity Initiatives (CCDI) provided funding support for a new pilot program at the Brown School, entitled the Serenade Program: Making Opportunities Happen

(described in more detail in Criterion 4.5). As part of the Serenade Project, a new committee has been formed, comprising three individuals who are charged with spearheading efforts to scout potential nominees for faculty prospects, with an emphasis on prospects from

underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In addition, the Dean convened a Diversity Task Force in 2010, charged with developing a comprehensive review and plan for creating a diverse school in its faculty, staff and student representation; educational programs; culture and climate; and community engagement. The faculty and administration of the Brown School have worked together to developed policies, programs and resources to support faculty retention, and both the faculty and administrators are vigilant in efforts to identify potential retention problems that may have a negative impact on faculty diversity and equal employment opportunity. Policies and programs are designed to: (1) create a welcoming School climate and foster a sense of community; (2) value diversity; (3) Assure transparency in operations, including efforts to provide fair and open promotion and tenure guidelines; and (4) support career development of pre-tenure faculty, including mentoring.

Academic Standards and Policies

Faculty Tenure and Promotion is governed by the Brown School’s “Standards and

Procedures for Tenure and Promotion.” Decisions to grant tenure are made by the Board of Trustees on successive recommendations of the Dean and Chancellor. Decisions to grant promotion to an academic position are made by the Chancellor or his designate on recommendation of the Dean. Recommendations and actions by the Dean, Chancellor and Board of Trustees are based on a combination of institutional needs of the School and University and assessment of the performance of the faculty member. The decision to adopt the School’s standards for tenure and promotion is non-negotiable at Washington

University, since tenure and promotion is only granted at the level of the School, and not by programs. However, at the Brown School, the faculty and administration are undergoing a process to revise the tenure and promotion standards, started in the 2009-10 academic year, and in part to adjust to the addition of the MPH program and new faculty.

Research and Service Expectations and Policies

Research and service expectations are guided by the School’s “Standards and Procedures for Tenure and Promotion” (available in the Resource File). Policies regarding research, especially through extramural funding, are supervised by the Associate Dean for Research. The Associate Dean provides support to faculty by identifying grant funding opportunities, serves as liaison to funding agencies, facilitates the development of proposals and budgets, facilitates resource management, and ensures compliance with campus, state and federal standards.

The Brown Public Health Committee operates under a set of bylaws adopted in October 2010. The bylaws are available in the Resource File.

The following committees have been created that specifically govern the MPH program:

• Public Health Committee (October 2008-present). The Brown School Public Health Committee is made up of faculty, staff and student representatives, and rotating members as appropriate. Appendix 1.5.c.1 presents a list of the members of the committee over the 2008-2011 periods. The committee meets monthly to discuss policies, updates and issues concerning the program. The charge is:

- To have the best MPH program of its kind, and to fashion a program that takes particular advantage of the faculty, university resources and urban environment of our School.

• MPH Community Advisory Committee (December 2010-present). The MPH

Community Advisory Committee represents a cross-section of professionals that advises the School leadership on components of the program relating to:

- Input on skill sets or competencies needed by MPH students - Advice on field placements, locally, nationally and internationally

- Advice on career placements, and positioning our students effectively for their careers

- Perspectives on key issues impacting changes in public health initiatives, i.e., workforce development

Eleven community leaders and additional Brown School administrators meet quarterly and are briefed on issues and initiatives of the School related to the Master of Public Health program followed by a meaningful discussion to provide an external perspective to the MPH program. Appendix 1.5.c.2 presents a list of the CAC membership. This committee will work to develop and sustain regional partnerships to advance the School’s training and research agenda and to have social impact in the community. This committee serves an important role in helping the MPH program to advance its Mission.

• Ad Hoc Committee on Culminating Experience (Summer 2011). This committee was charged with reviewing all aspects of the Culminating Experience, and recommending changes in the experience, by the end of the summer. Led by Assistant Professor Aaron Hipp, the committee formulated a proposal that was unanimously approved by the faculty in a retreat and in the Brown Public Health committee. The full outline of the new Culminating Experience is outlined in the appendix, and described in Criterion 2.

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