School of Hygiene and Public Health Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 29, 2000 / 3 p.m. / 833nd Meeting

Members Absent: Drs. William Brody, Robert Black, Diane Griffin, John Groopman, Edward Miller, and Alfred Sommer.

Guests: Drs. Patrick Breysse, Sharon Krag and Noel Rose; and Ms Diane Glover.

Meeting Convened: Provost Knapp convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Approval of the Minutes: Minutes of the 832nd meeting on January 18, 2000 were approved.

Remarks by the Provost: Provost Knapp commented on recent activities across the University and Health System related to the "living wage" movement. He noted that the issues are complicated and involve both the University and Health System. One portion of the activity is related to salaries paid for non_University contractual workers. Another portion is related to the University's membership in a voluntary organization that oversees evaluation and compliance of certain workplace standards. Dr. Knapp commented that many of those who object to the University's positions do not understand it's significant and direct economic involvement in the local community. Dr. Knapp predicted that activities will continue through the Spring, and that he is glad to meet with groups of students to further discuss any issues that have been raised.

Dr. Knapp reported that a search for a permanent director of the JHU Urban Health Institute is beginning. The Institute will focus initially on substance abuse among pregnant women and women with young children, a topic of broad interest across the University and to external agencies. A mini-retreat is being held to further define strategies to approach these important themes.

Dr. Knapp remarked that Dr. Vena Das, a prominent Indian anthropologist, has been appointed in the Department of Anthropology in the School of Arts and Sciences. One of her primary foci will be with the School of Public Health. Dr. Knapp noted that this is the first of what will be a number of distinguished faculty appointments made possible by the Krieger gift.

The University continues to support the Governor's plan for use of funds from the tobacco settlement, despite much pressure from many groups. Under the guidance of Annie Kronk and others, the University is able to speak with one voice on this important issue.

Remarks by the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Dr. MacKenzie reported that the Strategic planning process is proceeding well. Drs. MacKenzie and Yager have met with the three subcommittee chairs to discuss the guiding principles and general direction of the process, and have drafted part 1 of the plan. The subcommittees will be asked for input on part 1, and to develop specific goals that will form part 2 of the plan. Drs. MacKenzie and Yager will meet with each academic department to solicit input, and with students and staff as well. They anticipate that part 1 will be in final form by the end of the current academic year, and that part 2 will be drafted with specific objectives by the early fall.

Dr. MacKenzie followed up on an earlier discussion with the chairs regarding fulfilling the CEPH requirements for all MHS students. She noted that most, but not all, of the MHS programs meet all CEPH requirements. She remarked that Dean Sommer has agreed that the requirements will be in place for all students admitted after May, 2000, rather than for all currently enrolled students. She noted that all departments must develop a written plan to meet CEPH requirements for the MHS programs by June, 2000, and offered to meet with any department or program seeking guidance in achieving this goal.

Dr. MacKenzie announced that a memorial service for Professor Sam Shapiro will be held on March 22, 2000 at 5 p.m.

In response to a question, Dr. Knapp updated the Advisory Board on the University's decision to return a segment of the Turkish "Gold Koran" to the Turkish government. He further noted that Dr. MacKenzie will attend a retreat of the University leadership regarding recruitment and retention of women and under-represented minority faculty.

Report of the Faculty Senate: Dr. Yager reported that the Faculty Senate is grappling with how to identify retired faculty so as to insure their representation on the Senate. The School's new draft policy on acceptance of support from tobacco companies or organizations has been discussed. The draft is being further revised based on comments at the recent joint Faculty Senate/Committee of the Whole meeting. Identification of tobacco companies and organizations will be key to the success of this policy.

Distance Education Update: Dr. Lawrence reported that distance education materials are likely to be placed on a server external to the School due to their size and need for total access and increased speed. He noted there have been over 100 applications for 50 spaces in the iMPH program that will begin in June, 2000. The applicant pool tends to be older and more experienced than are other MPH applicants. The cohort approach of the iMPH program has led to a reconsideration of the rolling admissions process traditionally used by the MPH program. A second cohort in January of 2000 will be considered depending on the progress of course conversions.

Dr. Zeger expressed concern that some segments of the School would seek an external server to provide services that the School's Office of Information Systems (OIS) is unable to provide and are outside of the School's firewalls. He further noted that other groups and departments with the School would like to consider such external services but have been dissuaded or do not have the funds to support it. He suggested that the problems forcing important School activities to move outside of the School's IS facilities should be solved rather than circumvented. Dr. Lawrence noted that tension over the most appropriate uses of IS resources continues and that the faculty should be surveyed to provide their preferences.

Dr. Knapp remarked that the oversight committee for IS activities in East Baltimore must be kept informed of this and other discussions as all IS resources are part of a larger campus-wide effort to plan strategically. The University's ability to provide fast and secure access to IS facilities will be important in helping to maintain a competitive edge.

Other items:

Addition to PPM Faculty #1: Members of the Advisory Board questioned the procedures to appoint or promote a faculty member to professor without a concomitant tenure recommendation. A motion was then made to add the following statement to the PPM on faculty appointments and promotions:

"In cases where a motion is brought for promotion to professor without a motion for tenure, an explanation will be provided to the Advisory Board."

This motion was approved by a vote of the Advisory Board and will be added to the appropriate section of PPM Faculty #1.

Revision to Academic Program PPMs: Dr. Breysse joined the group. He noted that Committee on Academic Standards considered changing the wording of the requirement for extra_departmental coursework for students in the Ph.D. (PPM - Academic Programs #3), Sc.D. (PPM - Academic Programs #5) and Master of Science (PPM - Academic Programs #10) programs based on recommendation from the Advisory Board. He reviewed the proposed wording in each PPM. The Advisory Board then suggested additional minor wording changes and a clarification of the residency requirement for the Ph.D. and Sc.D. programs, which also led to a minor change in wording of both PPMs. After discussion, the Advisory Board voted to approve the changes in PPMs #3, #5, and #10.

Dr. Breysse then presented changes to the residency requirement of the Sc.M. program in Clinical Investigation to be consistent with the changed residency requirement for other masters' programs. The Advisory Board voted to approve the proposed changes, and thanked Dr. Breysse for his efforts.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Fox

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