Bloomberg School of Public Health
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 15, 2001 / 3 p.m. / 848th Meeting

Members Absent: Drs. William Brody, Edward Miller and Donald Steinwachs.

Guest: Dr. Sharon Krag.

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

Approval of the Minutes: Minutes of the 847th meeting on April 15, 2001 were approved.

Remarks by the Provost

Dr. Knapp congratulated the School on its recent naming as the Bloomberg School of Public Health and on the anonymous $100 million gift, which received much national recognition. Many persons external to the University will have the misconception that this gift, like many others, can be used for unrestricted uses, however, this gift is primarily programmatic. Support for the University's core functions is still needed, and the University must be able to explain these needs to donors. Targets are now being developed in preparation for the next campaign, and the next campaign will be "internally" launched in late 2001, with a formal launching in Spring 2002.

Dr. Knapp noted that Dr. Claude Earl Fox will become director of the JHU Urban Health Institute. A search for a new dean for the School of Nursing will be undertaken following the recent announcement that Dr. Sue Donaldson is stepping down. Dr. Knapp requested that nominations for the School of Nursing deanship be forwarded to him, and that leaders in the field who might be contacted to provide nominations also be forwarded. Dr. Knapp acknowledged Dr. Donaldson's leadership of the School of Nursing. A search for the dean of the School of Advanced International Studies is now underway.

An energy tax to be levied on non-profit institutions is being considered by the Baltimore City Council. Dr. Knapp expressed hope that the City will recognize the many significant contributions made by the University to the life and financial underpinnings of Baltimore, and not add a new tax, nor set up a system whereby other new taxes can be added.

Dr. Knapp congratulated Dr. Sommer on being elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.

Remarks by the Dean

Dr. Sommer commented that the dinner celebrating the naming of the Bloomberg School of Public Health, where the anonymous $100 million gift was also announced, was a wonderful opportunity for Public Health faculty, the Board of Trustees, and other members of the Hopkins community to come together. At the next joint Faculty Senate/Committee of the Whole meeting on June 5, Dr. Sommer will review the development and fund-raising process, and working with donors.

The Dean has asked Dr. Manning Feinleib to complete a self study of the DrPH Program in preparation for a Program Review, similar to the review of the MPH Program that was recently completed.

By way of follow-up of the MPH Review, Dr. Sommer commented that Dr. Yager is working on bringing together all MPH- oriented activities, including full-time, part-time and iMPH programs, and better integrating them with the Institutes. The leadership structure recommended by the MPH Review Committee revolves around the formation of an MPH Executive Committee. Each department was asked to nominate a key faculty member to serve on the Executive Committee, which will oversee MPH program activities, including recruitment and admissions, advising, and implementing changes to the Integrating Experience. The Executive Committee will make recommendations in some areas, working closely with the Committee on Academic Standards, and develop and implement policies in other areas. Dr. Sommer noted that the key to the success of the MPH Executive Committee will be to identify the best faculty, and to provide them with both responsibility and authority with the backing of their department chairs. Dr. Sommer suggested several titles for members of the MPH Executive Board. Members of the Advisory Board preferred the title of "Associate Director of the MPH Program for [name of department]."

The MPH Executive Board will determine which areas of concentration should be developed, and will set up criteria for review and approval of the areas. Developing and maintaining a strong and close relationship between the departments and the MPH program is crucial to the success of the Executive Board and the MPH Program. To help ensure that this relationship is enhanced as much as possible, members of the Executive Board will be compensated explicitly for their efforts through the MPH program as part of their regular salaries. The level of compensation will depend on the contributions made by that department, and commitment by its Associate Director, to the MPH Program. Chairs are invited to nominate faculty to serve on the MPH Executive Board.

In response to a question, Dr. Sommer stated that the rank of the faculty nominated is not as important as their level of commitment to the program, and the chairs backing of that faculty member in that role. He noted that an evaluation system will be in place to obtain regular feedback from students, which will in turn be used to improve the quality of student-faculty interactions. Dr. Yager is continuing to work out a smooth implementation plan.

Dr. Sommer reminded the Advisory Board that the Public Health Convocation is on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, where the largest class ever will graduate.

Report of the Faculty Senate

Dr. Ensminger reviewed the agenda of the most recent Faculty Senate meeting, and commented that the agenda of the joint Faculty Senate/Committee of the Whole meeting in June will include a discussion about fund-raising and development efforts. The July Senate meeting will include a report by Drs. Brookmeyer and Yager on the Review of the MPH Program.

Distance Education Update

Dr. Lawrence reported that the Department of Epidemiology is in the process of recruiting a staff member who will be responsible for DE course development in the Department. The size of the iMPH cohort arriving in June, 2001 will be about 60 students, although 70 can be accommodated. He noted that there is presently adequate capacity among DE staff to work on course development, and that DE offerings can be expanded.

Report on searches for Quantitative and Molecular Sciences for Research on Populations and Behavioral Sciences

Several chairs reported that faculty searches are continuing as planned.

Other Items

Faculty Appointments and Departures

Dr. Sommer and Ms Fox reviewed information on tenure-track faculty appointments and departures in the School from 1995- 2000, noting there was a net gain of 21 tenure-track faculty during that period. It can be difficult to determine if and when some very senior faculty retire as they may continue to work on a part-time basis, retaining their titles and continuing to teach, advise and/or conduct research.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Fox

© 2001 The Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, Maryland. All rights reserved.
Last updated 05Jul01 by dgips@jhu.edu