Faculty Reference Manual

Table of Contents

Department Vision, Mission, and Goals

Public Health Program

Vision.  Advance population health through education, research, and community engagement

Mission. Prepare leaders to equitably advance the health of communities within Central New York and beyond

Goals. The program’s goals describe strategies to accomplish our defined mission:

• Create opportunities for faculty and students to advance health equity through public health scholarship, community engagement, and service

• Provide a high-quality curriculum grounded in social justice and excellence in teaching

• Advance the science and practice of public health through scholarly pursuits

• Support community well-being through public health practice

Values.  We believe our public health program’s mission and our work within our institution’s larger mission is best achieved when guided by the following core values:

• Community - We recognize that we are a part of multiple communities, and have a responsibility to be engaged in a respectful and positive way with our civic partners

• Diversity and Inclusion – We welcome, encourage, and respect diverse voices, experiences, perspectives, and approaches in our work together

• Integrity - We aspire to high standards of excellence, professional ethics, and personal integrity in all that we do

• Health Equity - We strive to eliminate health inequities through the work we do in our research, teaching, community engagement, and advocacy

• Shared and Equitable Responsibility - We recognize our individual responsibilities to the mission of our public health program and to the values that sustain it. We will each strive to contribute our fair share to the activities of the program

• Transparency of Communications:  We recognize the diverse information needs of our stakeholder groups and strive to report and share information as appropriate

• Continuous Improvement: We aim to establish a culture of continuous quality improvement in our public health program, a culture in which quality improvement is part of our day-to-day work, assessment work is regularly conducted, data sought is actionable, and staff and faculty are empowered to make change.

Department Overview and Organization

Organizational Chart

Faculty Roles

As detailed in the university faculty manual, all faculty are expected to teach, advise, and provide service to the department, college, university and community. Tenure-track and tenured faculty are also expected to engage in scholarship. While all forms of service are valued, including volunteerism, the department defines extra-mural service as any activity that entails a faculty member’s professional contributions to benefit a community, community-based institutions, or the larger public health profession. All faculty are encouraged to involve students in their service and scholarship.

Chair, Department of Public Health: Position Description and Responsibilities

Adequacy of Resources

• Evaluate the adequacy of faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the public health program.

• Advocate in collaboration with the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs for improvements in faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the public health program.

• Submit proposals for new faculty to the Dean following Department rules, regulations, and procedures on faculty hiring.

• Submit proposals for new staff to the Dean.

• Submit requests for additional financial resources to the Dean.

• Submit requests for additional physical resources to the Dean.

Program Management/Course Maintenance

• In consultation with the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs in public health and the faculty concerned, schedule courses to meet academic program requirements for students.

• In consultation with the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs in public health and the public health faculty, identify faculty to teach public health course offerings and assign faculty advisors.

• In consultation with the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs in public health and the public health faculty, assist in the development and maintenance of non-academic public health-related activities and experiences (for example: Advisory Council, learning communities, SOPHE and I.P.E. activities, provision of continuing education).

Program Assessment/Evaluation

• Assist with periodic assessment of curriculum quality lead by the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs in public health.

• Ensure with the collaboration of program directors, coordinators, faculty, and staff the development of program evaluation plans, submission of program reviews, and other reporting requirements as required by the College, University, and accrediting body.

• In consultation with the directors of undergraduate and graduate programs in public health and the public health faculty, ensure currency of web-based and print public health information, manuals and handbooks.

• Ensure with the collaboration of program directors, coordinators, faculty, and staff the accreditation of Public Health programs with Middle States, C.E.P.H., and other professional certification bodies.

Faculty & Staff Evaluation

• Evaluate the effectiveness of faculty teaching, advising, service, and scholarship.

• With input from the director of undergraduate and graduate programs and public health faculty, conduct annual evaluations of staff.

Student Recruitment

• Assist the Falk College Admissions Office in the recruitment of students to public health programs.

Teaching/Advising

• Teach assigned courses.

• Advise students in public health.

Reports to: Dean, Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
Term: 3-year, renewable term (subject to majority vote by faculty and affirmed by the dean)
Approved by faculty May 13, 2019.

Director, Undergraduate Programs in Public Health: Position Description and Responsibilities

Adequacy of Resources

• Evaluate the adequacy of faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the undergraduate public health program

• Advocate in collaboration with the Chair and director of graduate programs for improvements in faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the public health program.

Program Management/Course Maintenance

• In consultation with the Chair and director of graduate programs in public health and the faculty concerned, schedule courses to meet academic program requirements for undergraduate students

• In consultation with the Chair and director of graduate programs in public health and the public health faculty, identify faculty to teach public health undergraduate course offerings and assign faculty to serve as undergraduate student advisors.

• Provide oversight to the maintenance of service learning and senior internship experiential learning opportunities and approve HTW 422 internship site options and opportunities

• Assist and supervise the development and maintenance of non-academic public health related experiences (for example: learning communities, SOPHE activities).

• Maintain an electronic resource that keeps public health faculty appraised of course offerings, course schedules, curriculum changes (e.g., changes in courses for concentrations), and advising requirements in a timely fashion

Teaching/Advising

• Teach assigned courses

• Advise undergraduate students in the public health major.

• Advise undergraduate students in the public health minor.

Student Recruitment

• Assist the Falk College Admissions Office in the recruitment of students to the public health major.

• Conduct interviews with Syracuse University students who wish to declare public health as their major, change majors to public health or pursue a minor in public health.

• Ensure currency of web-based and print program level recruitment media.

Program Assessment/Evaluation

• Lead periodic assessment of undergraduate curriculum quality.

• Coordinate implementation of the public health undergraduate program evaluation plan.

• Ensure currency of web-based and print public health undergraduate information, manuals and handbooks.

• In collaboration with the Chair, director of graduate programs, and faculty, assist with the development of program evaluation plans, submission of program reviews, and other reporting requirements as required by the College, University, and accrediting and certification bodies.

Reports to: Chair, Department of Public Health
Term: 3-year, renewable term (subject to majority vote by faculty and affirmed by the department chair and dean)
Approved by faculty May 13, 2019.

Director, Graduate Programs in Public Health: Position Description and Responsibilities

Adequacy of Resources

• Evaluate the adequacy of faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the graduate public health programs.

• Advocate in collaboration with the Chair and director of undergraduate programs for improvements in faculty, staff, financial and physical resources to accomplish the mission of the public health program.

Program Management/Course Maintenance

• In consultation with the chair and director of undergraduate programs in public health, schedule courses to meet academic program requirements for graduate students

• In consultation with the chair and director of undergraduate programs in public health and the public health faculty, identify faculty to teach graduate course offerings and assign faculty to serve as graduate student advisors

• Maintain an electronic resource that keeps public health faculty appraised of course offerings, course schedules, curriculum changes (e.g., changes in courses for concentrations), and advising requirements in a timely fashion

Teaching/Advising

• Teach assigned courses

• Advise undergraduate and graduate students in the public health programs

Student Recruitment

• Assist the Falk College Admissions Office in the recruitment of students into graduate programs in public health

• Along with the Graduate Admissions Committee, review and vote on admission for all applicants to graduate programs in public health

• Ensure currency of web-based and print program level recruitment media

Program Assessment/Evaluation

• Lead periodic assessment of curriculum quality.

• Coordinate and implement evaluation plan for graduate programs.

• Ensure currency of web-based and print graduate program information, manuals, and handbooks.

• In collaboration with the Chair, director of undergraduate programs, and faculty, assist with the development of program evaluation plans, submission of program reviews, and other reporting requirements as required by the College, University, and accrediting and certification bodies.

Reports to: Chair, Department of Public Health
Term: 3-year, renewable term (subject to majority vote by faculty and affirmed by the department chair and dean)
Approved by faculty May 13, 2019

Coordinator of Addiction Studies Programs in Public Health: Position Description and Responsibilities

Recruitment

• Assist the Falk College Admissions Office in the recruitment of students to the C.A.S. in Addiction Studies.

• Conduct interviews with students who wish to declare a minor in Addiction Studies.

• Provide informational meetings with prospective graduate students for the C.A.S. in Addiction Studies.

• Collaborate with the Chair, Undergrad and Grad Directors to ensure currency of web-based and print recruitment media.

Program Planning and Assessment/Evaluation

• Collaborate with the Chair, Undergrad, and Grad Directors on the sequencing and scheduling of A.S. course offerings.

• Collaborate with the Chair, Undergrad and Grad Directors in the periodic assessment of addiction program quality.

• Coordinate the implementation of the addiction programs’ evaluation plan.

• Preparation and submission of reports as required for University level regional accreditation.

Program Credentialing

• Oversee curriculum to ensure content meets New York State and I.C.&R.C. prevention credential requirements.

• Serve as faculty liaison to New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (O.A.S.A.S.).

• Preparation and submission of applications to O.A.S.A.S. as needed/required.

• Maintain and renew O.A.S.A.S. Certified Education and Training Provider (E.T.P.) Certification Application and Agreement designation for Syracuse University.

• Serve as faculty liaison to the International Credentialing & Reciprocity Consortium (I.C.&R.C.) to facilitate credentialing for students outside of New York state.

Professional Advising

• Advise addiction studies students on matters related to professional credentialing/licensure and career paths.

Academic Advising

• Advise undergraduate students enrolled in the Addiction Studies minor.

• Advise graduate students enrolled in the C.A.S. in Addiction Studies. 

Reports to: The Coordinator reports to the Chair and works collaboratively with the UG and GRAD Directors. 
Term:  2 year, renewable term (subject to majority vote by faculty and agreement by the Department Chair and Dean).
Approved by faculty May 13, 2019

Advisory Council, Department of Public Health

Mission:

The Department of Public Health Advisory Council brings together program stakeholders and public health experts to advise and support the Department of Public Health at Syracuse University. The Department of Public Health Advisory Council provides guidance and feedback to the department on academic issues to strengthen the relevance and quality of academic programs including curriculum, planning, student outcomes, program strengths, and program weaknesses. The Department of Public Health Advisory Council champions the program to prospective supporters, students, public health professionals, and the community.

Membership and Member Composition:

The Advisory Council will consist of 6-10 individuals from the following groups:

• program alumni

• public health practitioners (regional and national)

• public health researchers

• community stakeholders

• a member of the Falk College Board of Visitors shall be invited to serve

• attention to diversity across many dimensions, including but not limited to race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender, social class, disability, and type of professional and academic degree.

Advisory Council members will serve renewable three-year terms. Any public health faculty member can bring forward for nomination a potential member, with a vote to confirm the membership of the Advisory Council during a departmental meeting annually. During the first meeting, the Advisory Council will take nominations for a Council chairperson, followed by a vote to elect a chairperson. The chairperson will serve a renewable term of three years, with nominations and election taking place every three years during the yearly meeting of the council. The chairperson of the Department of Public Health (or alternative faculty representative) will attend all Advisory Council meetings.

Member Expectations

Active Participants: The Public Health Advisory Council meets annually. We anticipate that each Advisory Council member attend a minimum of one meeting every other year and agree to participate in conference calls as requested. Realizing that attending all meetings is a challenge, we encourage members to attend as often as possible.

Visible Champions: As Advisory Council members, we expect that each member champion the cause of the program to external constituencies.  Examples of this would include: help place students in internships; hire program graduates; recruit students; gain visibility for programs; lend endorsement to initiatives; provide enrichment programs for students and faculty (e.g. researcher or service collaboration, professional developmental opportunities, special project funding). Council members will also be asked to help assist in recruiting future Advisory Council members.

Faculty Governance and Procedures

Quorum and Voting Procedures

Voting by department faculty members shall be conducted as follows:

• All members of the faculty exercise the right to vote, including professional staff voted by departmental faculty to have full voting rights, except where noted that voting is restricted to faculty of certain titles or rank.

• Voice votes shall ordinarily be the method of recording decisions. However, special circumstances may demand that individual votes of members be counted either by show of hands or by secret ballot (paper or electronic).

Hiring of Faculty

The chair and program directors regularly evaluate the adequacy of faculty resources to meet the scholarly, teaching and advising mission of the programs. The Chair shares these initial findings with Department faculty and seeks approval by a full vote of Department faculty of the proposed types of faculty hires at a faculty meeting.  The chair and program directors will also annually update and maintain a tentative list of approved faculty hire needs so as to take quick advantage of opportunities that may arise for potential hires. Requests for faculty needs with associated justifications are then forwarded to the Dean.  The decision to hire adjunct and non- tenure track faculty ultimately rests with the dean. The decision to hire tenure-track faculty ultimately rests with the vice-chancellor and provost and/or the Board of Trustees.

• When hiring proposals are approved for adjunct positions, the program directors and chair are responsible for recruiting potential hires, evaluation of applications, and interviewing the top candidates. The chair makes the final recommendation for hire to the Dean.

• When hiring proposals are approved for non-tenure-track or tenure-track faculty positions, a public health faculty search committee is formed. The committee is comprised of 3 faculty members, at least 2 of which must be tenured faculty members; if the position is for a tenure-track faculty member, only tenure-track or tenured faculty members may serve on the search committee. The committee decides a committee Chair with approval of the department Chair. The committee is charged with the recruiting of potential hires, evaluation of all applicants for the purposes of identifying the top candidates, interviewing the top candidates (including screening interviews and onsite interviews), and soliciting feedback from Falk College students and faculty members. Department faculty are expected to play an active role in evaluation of potential hires (reviewing submitted materials, attending talks, interviews, and meals with candidates, etc.). The committee presents a rank ordered recommendation for hire (or to reopen the search) to the public health faculty who then vote on a rank ordered recommendation for hire; in the case of tenure-track faculty positions only tenure-track or tenured faculty members may vote. The committee then presents a rank ordered recommendation for hire (or to reopen the search) to the dean who is responsible for the final hiring recommendation to the vice-chancellor and provost.

• All recommendations for the hiring of new faculty whether as a result of other means (e.g., target of opportunity hires, spousal hires, signature hires, cluster hires, etc.) should be subject to a full faculty vote at a faculty meeting (as described above). Faculty will have the opportunity to review the credentials and expertise of faculty being considered for hires from alternative means.  This review can take the form of access to relevant materials (candidate CVs, teaching dossiers etc.) and when possible a meeting with Department faculty. The Chair will communicate the faculty vote to the Dean.

• Any changes in faculty status (e.g., move from adjunct to teaching professor) should be subject to approved faculty hiring processes as specified from Faculty Affairs and a full faculty vote at a Department faculty meeting. The Chair will communicate the faculty vote to the Dean.

Approved by Faculty May 7, 2020

Curriculum Development and Changes

The public health faculty are responsible for the overall development and integrity of the public health programs. Individual faculty members or groups of faculty members are responsible for course development. Curriculum changes and new courses are initially vetted within the public health faculty before being addressed by Falk College’s curriculum review process. All curriculum and program changes should be discussed and voted on by the full faculty at a Department faculty meeting. 

Procedures to Process Curriculum Changes

• Proposals for additions, changes or deletions to courses or programs shall be initiated by faculty, program directors or the department chair. The required standard forms are available from the Syracuse University Committee on Curricula Website.

• The initiating faculty member shall review forms for course title, course description, rationale for course, course objectives, assignments, and course outlines consistency with University policies.

• The course initiator will prepare all supporting material required, for example side-by-side comparison tables and revised syllabi.

• Once all curriculum forms and supporting materials are completed, the initiator submits materials to the directors and chair for initial review.  If materials are incomplete or revisions suggested, the chair advises the initiator of the same. In the event that the Chair, Program Director, Addiction Studies Coordinator, and the faculty course/program initiator cannot agree on suggested curricula changes, the faculty initiator has the option to present his/her proposed curricula changes to the faculty for a full faculty discussion and vote at a Department faculty meeting.

• The chair or director in collaboration with the Falk College Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will seek consultation with other university department chairs for courses in which potential content overlap exists.

• Curricula materials such as changes to courses, changes to program curriculum, new courses, new programs, recommendations to close programs, etc., once approved by the chair and program director, shall be sent to the full departmental faculty for discussion and approval.

• Curricula materials, once approved by the full faculty, shall be sent by the Chair by posted deadlines to the College Curriculum Committee Chair and support staff. 

• Approved by Faculty May 13, 2019.

Committees

The Department of Public Health has five (5) standing committees: (1) Applied Practice Experience Committee (APEC), (2) Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee (GRAC),  (3) Integrated Learning Experience Committee (ILEC),  (4) Program Review and Assessment Committee (PRAC), and (5) Promotion and Tenure Committee (PTC). The Department establishes search and other committees, or task forces, as needed.

Applied Practice Experience Committee (APEC) 

Charge:  The committee evaluates the appropriateness and quality of the products produced in fulfillment of the requirements for the MPH Applied Practice Experience (APE).

Responsibilities:

• During the planning phase of the APE experience, meets with students and the PHP 667 Public Health supervisor to discuss the APE site, nature of the products to be produced, and the MPH competencies to be demonstrated from the APE experience.

• Before the final APE portfolio is submitted, evaluates  the quality of the APE products produced. This includes determining whether they satisfy the APE requirements and meet the foundational/concentration-specific competencies proposed earlier by the student. These requirements will be assessed using a rubric with defined criteria. Feedback is provided.

Membership and Terms

• Membership: Two (2) faculty and the PHP 667 Public Health supervisor. The PHP 667 Public Health supervisor serves as Chair.

• Terms: Two (2) years, including the winter and summer sessions. Terms are renewable.

Procedure Guidelines for Meetings

• A written notice of each meeting along with all relevant materials shall be provided at least two days in advance of the meeting.

• The committee chair shall record minutes for meetings and provide to the department chairperson, within the week in which the meeting was held, a written record of committee meetings. 

Voting Procedures

• All members of the committee exercise the right to vote.

• Voice votes shall ordinarily be the method of recording decisions. However, any member of the committee can request a vote by secret ballot.

• A quorum shall exist when two members of the committee are in attendance. The Committee Chairperson must be one of the two members in attendance. 

Approved by Faculty October 30, 2020.

Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Committee (GRAC)Committee Responsibilities:

Charge: The Committee is responsible for assisting the Falk College Admissions Office with graduate student recruitment, making admission decisions, and awarding department level graduate student scholarships.

Responsibilities:

• Schedule meetings on an as needed basis.

• Collaborate with the Falk College Admissions Office in the recruitment of students to the public health graduate programs.

• Adhere to the policies as outlined in appendices to these bylaws.

• As needed, propose changes to the policies and procedures as outlined in the committee bylaws to the department. 

• Review and evaluate applications to Public Health graduate programs and make decisions on acceptance (see guidelines in Appendix A).

• Make decisions on the awarding of graduate assistantship and scholarship credits and GAs based on established procedures and priorities (see guidelines in Appendix B).

• Make decisions on the allocation of awarded GAs positions to Public Health faculty based on an application submitted by the PH faculty to the committee (see guidelines in Appendix C; see application form in Appendix D).

• Conduct annual performance assessments and quality of match to faculty for all graduate assistants.

Membership and Terms

• Membership: Director of Graduate Programs, two (2) public health faculty, and one (1) graduate student. The graduate student role is limited to assisting with recruitment. A faculty member is elected to serve as chair of the committee.

• Terms: Faculty members serve a three (3) year staggered term with the exception of the chair who serves a two (2) year term and the student representative who serves a one (1) year term. A committee member is elected to serve as chair.  All terms are renewable. 

Procedure Guidelines for Meetings

• A written notice of each meeting along with all relevant materials shall be provided at least two days in advance of the meeting.

• The committee chair shall record minutes for meetings and provide to the department chairperson, within the week in which the meeting was held, a written record of committee meetings.

Voting Procedures 

• All members of the committee exercise the right to vote.

• Voice votes shall ordinarily be the method of recording decisions. However, any member of the committee can request a vote by secret ballot.

• A quorum shall exist when two members of the committee are in attendance. The Committee Chairperson must be one of the two members in attendance.
  
  
  

Approved by Faculty May 7, 2020.

Integrated Learning Experience Committee (ILEC)

Charge: The committee evaluates the quality of the products produced in fulfillment of the requirements for the MPH Integrated Learning Experience (ILE).

Responsibilities:

• During the planning phase of the ILE experience, meets with students and the PHP 707 Public Health supervisors to discuss the nature of the products to be produced, and the MPH competencies to be demonstrated from the ILE experience.

• Before the final ILE portfolio is submitted, evaluates as a committee the quality of the ILE products produced. This includes determining whether the product satisfy the IPE requirements and meet the foundational/concentration-specific competencies proposed earlier by the student. These requirements will be assessed using a rubric with defined criteria. Feedback is provided.

Membership and Terms

• Membership: Two (2) faculty and the PHP 707 supervisor. The PHP 707 supervisor serves as Chair.

• Terms: Two (2) year term with the exception of that for the student representative which will be one (1) year in length. Terms are renewable.

Procedure Guidelines for Meetings

• A written notice of each meeting along with all relevant materials shall be provided at least two days in advance of the meeting.

• The committee chair shall record minutes for the meetings and provide to the department chairperson, within the week in which the meeting was held, a written record of committee meetings.

Voting Procedures

• All members of the committee exercise the right to vote.

• Voice votes shall ordinarily be the method of recording decisions. However, any member of the committee can request a vote by secret ballot.

• A quorum shall exist when two members of the committee are in attendance. The Committee Chairperson must be one of the two members in attendance.

Approved by Faculty April 24, 2020.

Program Review and Assessment Committee (PRAC)

Charge: The committee conducts periodic reviews of the undergraduate and graduate academic programs offered by the Public Health Department  and makes recommendations to the Department of Public Health with respect to accreditation standards and criteria, stakeholder feedback, and other feedback sources.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitates broad-based participation and deliberation by department faculty in the activities and outcomes of accreditation and programmatic assessment including providing needed information.

• Coordinates and maintains ongoing and systematic data collection, monitoring and assessment for program and regional accreditation standards.

• Ensures that academic programs and minors are fulfilling accreditation and professional credentialing standard.

• Annual review of program curricula including course syllabi to ensure compliance with university academic regulations and accreditation standards. 

• Provides input for and review of reports for accreditation, credentialing bodies, and university systematic review committees.

• Form ad hoc working groups from the faculty at large, as may be necessary, to assist with the work of the committee.

• Designates a committee member to represent the department on the Falk College Systematic Program Review Committee 

Membership & Terms

• Membership: The undergraduate and graduate program directors, a minimum of two (2) faculty or professional staff at large, and a graduate student representative.  The chair of the committee will be elected from among the members of the committee. 

• Terms: Three (3) year staggered with the exception of that for the student representative which will be one ( 1) year in length. All terms are renewable.
  
  
  

Approved by Faculty March 27, 2020.

Promotion and Tenure Committee (PTC)

Charge: The Department of Public Health abides by the policies and procedures set forth in the Syracuse University Faculty Manual and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Policies & Procedures for Promotion and Tenure outlined in the Falk College Faculty Reference Manual.

Responsibilities, Committee & Faculty Under Review

1. The Promotions and Tenure Committee conducts third (3^rd) year pre-tenure reviews and provides formative and evaluative input to the department candidate, the department chair, and the College Promotion & Tenure committee chair in the form of a written 3^rd year report. A sub-committee of two (2) may be formed for the purpose of conducting 3^rd year reviews.

   1. The Department Chair provides an independent 3^rd year review.

   2. Required elements for review:  Faculty under review will submit a full dossier as described in the 3^rd Year Review Section of the Falk College Faculty Reference Manual. External evaluation of scholarship is not required for the third-year tenure review.

2. The Promotions and Tenure Committee examines the cases of all non-tenured (including teaching professors) and tenured faculty members who are eligible and have declared their intent to apply for promotion and shall recommend for or against promotion to the College Promotion and Tenure Committee.   

   1. The Committee will seek additional input from a variety of sources (i.e.: students, administrators, the larger Syracuse University academic community, the larger non-academic community – when appropriate, and service colleagues) when considering cases for promotion.

   2. Required elements for review: Faculty under review will submit a full dossier as described in the Promotion Section of the Falk College Faculty Reference Manual.

   3.  To support the case for promotion, the candidate and/or the mentor is provided the option to present additional testimony to the committee.

   4. The Department Chair provides an independent recommendation for or against promotion to the College Promotion and Tenure Committee.

3.  The Promotions and Tenure Committee examines the cases of all non-tenured faculty members who are eligible and have formally applied to be considered for tenure and shall recommend for or against tenure to the College Promotion & Tenure Committee. The candidates will be considered for tenure no later than the candidate’s sixth year of credited service.

   1. The committee seeks the input of the candidate in the determination of external reviewers and independently secures external letters of review.  Candidates will complete the approved conflict of interest form to guide the committee with the selection of external reviewers.

   2. Required elements for review:  Faculty under review will submit a full dossier as described in the Tenure Review Section of the Falk College Faculty Reference Manual.

   3. To support the case for tenure, the candidate and/or the mentor is provided the option to present additional testimony to the committee.

   4. The Department Chair provides an independent recommendation for or against tenure to the College Promotion and Tenure Committee.

Membership & Terms

• Membership: Three (3) tenured faculty who hold rank at the Associate or Professor level. At least one ( 1) member will be from the Professor rank. In the case of promotion for teaching professors, a teaching professor from the department will be recruited to join the committee as a fourth member, participating in the review, discussion, and vote on the teaching professor’s promotion only. Faculty are ineligible for membership of the committee if they are a family member, mentor, member of the College level committee, or the department chair. In cases where the available pool of faculty from the Department of Public Health does not make it possible to constitute a complete committee, eligible faculty from Falk College will be recruited to serve on the committee until such time that eligible Department of Public Health are eligible to serve. For promotion or tenure recommendations, but not 3^rd year reviews, the Committee will seek additional representation from one public health student, either undergraduate or graduate. The student representative participates in the deliberations of the committee but does not have voting privileges. A Chair is elected by the committee.

• Terms: One faculty member will be elected to a three (3) year term; the other two faculty members are elected to two (2) year terms. The chair and student term is one (1) year. These terms are renewable.

Voting Procedures

The Committee votes at least twice on each application for promotion or tenure.

The initial vote, which is referred to as a straw vote, should be taken after discussion of the merits of the application and dossier and deliberation by the full Committee. The final and, normally, the second vote is taken to recommend for or against tenure and promotion (for Assistant to Associate) or promotion (Associate to Full). In rare cases where an Associate Professor without tenure is seeking both tenure and promotion to Professor, the Committee shall vote separately in arriving at a decision on promotion and recommendation on tenure. The vote for promotion is conducted first, followed by the vote on tenure. If the Committee identifies significant concerns by the straw vote, the Committee will seek additional consultation from appropriate sources who shall be informed of the particular matters under debate.  Sources may include the department chair, the candidate and/or a representative of the candidate’s choosing. Any final decision taken by the Committee requires that all voting members of the committee be present [3 members for cases promotion and tenure of tenure track faculty and 4 members for cases of promotion of teaching faculty].  Committee members who are present at the meeting during the vote who elect to abstain from the vote are counted in the quorum as a voting member. In situations where there is no significant discussion taking place and a vote is expected to occur, absentee voting is permitted for committee members who are unable to attend. In this unusual circumstance, committee members may count as part of the quorum and may participate in the meeting, including voting, via telecommunications.

All voting is done by written ballot. In the case of absentee voting, a vote by the faculty member from their Syracuse university email will be sufficient. Decisions supporting tenure and/or promotion require a majority of the votes be in favor.  Votes are recorded as ‘in-favor’, ‘not in-favor’, or ‘abstain’.

Notification to the Department Chair and Candidate

When the Department Promotion and Tenure Committee has reached its recommendation for tenure/promotion or promotion, its Chair shall the department chair and the candidate of the recommendation by email. The email notification will be made within 72 hours of the Committee’s recommendation. Formal, written notification to the candidate shall be made within 30 days of the initial notification. Written notification shall include justification of the recommendation with regard to promotion/tenure or promotion.

Approved: May 20, 2020.

Academics

Admission to the major:

The public health Chair, Undergraduate and Graduate Program Directors and faculty are responsible for setting admission criteria for undergraduate students who wish to transfer to the major and for graduate students. For freshman and external transfer students, faculty are responsible for providing input regarding admission criteria to the dean who shares this perspective with the central admissions office.

Program Assessment:

The design of the public health program assessment plan is the responsibility of public health faculty. Student assessment instruments and processes are faculty designed and approved. The Chair, program directors and faculty members provide input into program level and course level student assessment measures at the time of new course approval and annual program review. The public health program assessment plan is periodically reviewed and modifications made if deemed necessary. The public health program directors coordinate the implementation of the assessment plan for the programs, majors, certificates of advanced study, and minors. Student assessment instruments and processes are faculty designed and approved. The program directors and faculty members provide input into program level and course level student assessment measures at the time of new course approval and annual program review.

Resource Allocation:

Faculty are responsible for identifying resources needed for the public health program. Requests for resources are sent to the department chair and dean for consideration and approval.

Cancellation of Classes: Faculty Directed

Protocol for canceling classes: Faculty must email students with cancellation information and also the respective department administrative assistant; Faculty using BlackBoard should also post an announcement to the class site. A sign will be posted on the classroom door providing notice of the cancellation.

Course Evaluations

Course feedback is an important component of Syracuse University’s holistic approach to the improvement of teaching and learning. The Department of Public Health participates in the on-line course evaluation process overseen by the Syracuse University Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment. The course feedback survey represents a collaboration between the University and the department. Survey items provide actionable feedback to improve teaching and learning. The department determines how this feedback is used with regard to curricular revision, teaching and learning, and promotion and tenure.

Approximately one month prior to the end of each fall and spring semester faculty and students will start to receive e-mails regarding how to access the on-line course evaluation forms. Following the end of each semester faculty and administrators will have access to all results via MySlice.

Exams

Make-up Exams

Are scheduled by the faculty member during regular business hours. Notify the respective administrative assistant that a student will be coming in to take an exam. Appropriate arrangements should be made in advance to ensure that there is a space for the student to take the test. In addition, if you are unavailable to monitor the student, arrangements must be made prior to the date of the exam for an administrative assistant to proctor the exam. Keep in mind that their lunch hours are scheduled between 12:00 and 2:00. Please provide staff with the student’s name, S.U.I.D., course name/number, faculty name, date/time of make-up exam and title/date of the original exam (e.g. Quiz #2, March 24), if the exam is open book and how much time the student will have to complete the exam.

Exam Scoring:

To learn more about the Office of Institutional Research and how to submit exams for scoring visit the Office of Institutional Evaluation and Assessment, Exam Scoring or consult with the administrative assistant.

Forms

In support of the University’s Green Initiative and collaborative work done by the schools and colleges, academic forms are available online at Forms & Information.

Grades

Grading:

The assignment of grades at S.U. is the responsibility of the faculty; once assigned by a member of the faculty, a grade cannot be changed without his or her consent, except by due process (as outlined in Syracuse University, Course Catalog, and Grade Appeals). A course grade is based upon the instructor’s professional assessment of the academic quality of the student’s performance on a body of work. Such assessments are non- negotiable, and disputes about them do not constitute valid grounds for an appeal. 

Valid grounds for a grade appeal may include when an instructor either (a) fails to provide or implement uniform and consistent standards, or (b) bases an assessment on criteria other than academic performance. Student concerns or questions regarding courses or grades should first be discussed with the instructor.  If differences are unable to be resolved, then appeals may be made to the undergraduate program director. Other concerns about the public health program should be directed first to the undergraduate program director, then to the department chair and finally to the Falk College associate dean of academic affairs.  Students retain the right to file a grievance with the University in the event the issue is not satisfactorily addressed at the program or department level.

Grievances

The Department follows the Falk College Grievance Committee Policy and Procedures.

Guest Speakers in Classes

The Department recognizes the value of guest speakers for classes. If you have a guest speaker coming to your class, please alert the respective administrative assistant so that they can help guide the guest speaker to your classroom if needed.

Requests for guest speakers who require payment of an honorarium must be made in writing two weeks in advance of the date the guest will speak and include the following:

• Speaker’s Name and Affiliation

• Course in which the guest speaker will lecture

• Date of guest lecture

• Proposes amount of honorarium

 If approved, the course faculty will be given written approval from the Dean’s Office. The course faculty will be responsible for having their guest speaker complete a W-9 form and Request for Payment of Professional Services Rendered by Non-Employee. 

Faculty do have the option of using their faculty discretionary funds (currently $500/yr.) to bring in guest speakers if departmental funds are unavailable.

To make arrangements for Parking, see Parking-Guests.

Syllabus

A program approved syllabus is available for all public health courses. With the exception of the text and other assigned readings and the course description, changes to the syllabi cannot be made without discussion with the respective program director. Learning outcomes, learning activities and assessment measures have been identified that reflect C.E.P.H. and Middle States accreditation standards and thus course level changes may disrupt our program evaluation plans. In addition, all syllabi must conform to the Syracuse University Senate Committee on Curricula requirements, including the standard policies on religious observances, disability accommodations, and academic integrity.

Each semester faculty must send an electronic copy of their syllabus for each class they are teaching to the administrative assistant in Suite 444 no later than August 20th for fall and January 10th for spring.

In order to conserve resources, all syllabi and other course material are to be posted to Blackboard.

Department of Public Health Information

Budget Process

Process for paperwork

• Complete budget form and email to administrative assistant Mel Stoffel at mstoffel@syr.edu. Mel will complete new electronic form and submit. The Budget Office has asked that all requests come from an administrative assistant and faculty/staff should not submit directly to them. Any forms that we haven’t outlined specifically (e.g., Request to hire) should also be sent to Mel. If you are not sure about how to complete a form or who to send a form to it would be best to first consult with Mel.

Request To Expend Funds

• Use link to form,  Request to Expend Funds, download and fill out

• Include chartstring on form or name of funding source

• Send supporting documentation (word doc containing description of item(s) to be purchased)

• Email documentation and form to mstoffel@syr.edu

• Request is submitted to the Department Chair for approval by Mel

• Upon Department Chair approval, the request is submitted to the Budget office for the Dean and Budget office approval

• When approved by Dean and Budget Office you will receive an email from Mel with a pdf copy of the request and any additional documentation you supplied. Reques

Travel Request 

• Use link to form, Faculty Travel Request, download and fill out

• Include chartstring or name of the funding source. (Faculty funds, development, CUSE grant, Source, etc.)

• If request is for a conference, send conference information and whether you are presenting or not in a separate document.

• Include any supporting documentation. Rationale for conference attendance.

• Email documentation and form to mstoffel@syr.edu

• Request is submitted to the Department Chair for approval by Mel

• Upon Department Chair approval, the request is submitted to the Budget office for the Dean and Budget office approval

• When approved by Dean and Budget Office you will receive an email from Mel with a pdf copy of the request and any additional documentation you supplied.

Grants

Use the same process and forms as for requests to expend funds and travel requests described above

• All forms are submitted to Mel Stoffel. If they require Chair signature, she will send that for Department approval. Otherwise, she will route paperwork to the budget office for approval.

Expense Receipts

Expense receipts should be emailed to the administrative assistant as soon as possible for processing, include the appropriate budget form. Receipts should be submitted with all necessary information—date, reason, and personnel associated with the expense if the receipt is for a meal. Receipts must be itemized. Tax should not exceed 20% of the subtotal. Receipts should be taped (all 4 sides) securely to an 8.5 x 11 white sheet of paper, scanned and emailed to Mel Stoffel at mstoffel@syr.edu. You can also use Microsoft Office lens app (smart phone scanning option) to record and email receipts. 

Travel/discretionary funds

Refer to the College manual for information on annual travel/discretionary funds. In order to use your funds, you must complete a Request to Expend Funds or a Faculty Travel Request and have it approved by the department Chair before you make any travel arrangements (i.e. registrations, flight, hotel) or make any purchases. All requests require prior written approval from the Dean’s office. All administrative travel and/or expenses also require pre-approval. Completed requests for funds forms should be emailed to the administrative assistant, Mel Stoffel to obtain the proper approvals prior to making any travel arrangements or making any purchases.

Please note that Department administrative staff must have your approved paperwork and request before the use of college funding. Transactions and reimbursement requests that occur without appropriate prior approval will not be processed.

For more information refer to Falk College Travel Policies

Conflict of Interest

All P.H. faculty and staff are asked to make themselves familiar with the S.U. Policy for Conflict of Interest and Commitment for Faculty and Staff Not on Sponsored programs. The Department asks faculty and staff to recognize possible conflicts that could affect the department and to place departmental obligations (teaching, advising, committees, etc.) above commitments within the University, as well as in the outside community. Any commitment that interferes with a faculty or staff’s contracted commitment to the department must be approved in advance by the department chair, and if necessary, the Dean.

Copying

In an effort to conserve paper and keep costs down, documents should be copied as two-sided. The College and Department’s policy strongly recommends that student academic materials (handouts, syllabi, …) be posted to BlackBoard. Print copies should be kept to a minimum.

Mailboxes/Post Service

Regular and campus mail is delivered to a locked mailbox on the 1st floor of White Hall. Mail is dropped off and picked up once a day. Mail is then distributed into individual mailboxes placed within suite 444. All outgoing mail (campus or non-campus) may be given to the administrative assistants in Suite 444 White Hall.

Keys

The Building Coordinator will provide a key for faculty and staff offices. Faculty and staff will be asked to return the key at the termination of employment. Keys may not be shared and are the sole responsibility of the faculty/staff member. Students may not have copies of keys for labs, offices or other areas of the building. If you have a student assistant who needs access to your office/lab, please send an e-mail to one of the administrative assistants in the department granting permission for the student to have access, and they will be let into the designated area. Your cooperation in protecting our mutual security by adhering to these policies is appreciated.

Paper Shredding

Any confidential materials that are in need of shredding may be dropped off in the shredding bin.

Public Health Suites Hours

The Department of Public Health offices are located in White Hall - suite 444, the 4^th floor office corridor, and suite 430 The 444 suite is staffed Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. fall and spring semesters and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. summer semester.

VIP Parking-Guest Parking

If you require visitor parking for a speaker for your class, etc., you will need to e-mail the respective administrative assistant with the following information 5 days in advance.  Please note that should your guest “No Show” or “Cancel” and we have not given parking services notice of the cancellation 24 hours in advance, the department will be charged the parking fee.

• Name of Person

• Date needed for Parking

• Time needed for Parking

• Garage or lot being requested

• Reason for request

Parking arrangements cannot be made for faculty, staff or students working for or attending school at Syracuse University. Parking will be arranged for the Irving Garage as space permits. All parking requests are charged to the department of Public Health, parking is not free. If the request is for speakers/guests pertaining to a grant, please let the administrative assistant know to ensure the grant is charged and not the department.

Room Reservations

All meeting rooms are scheduled through the public health administrative assistants.

Travel/Discretionary Funds

Refer to the College manual for information on annual travel/discretionary funds. In order to use your funds, you must complete a Request to Expend Funds or a Faculty Travel Request and have it approved by the department Chair before you make any travel arrangements (i.e. registrations, flight, hotel) or make any purchases. All requests require prior written approval from the Dean’s office. All administrative travel and/or expenses also require pre-approval. Completed requests for funds forms should be emailed to the administrative assistant, Mel Stoffel to obtain the proper approvals prior to making any travel arrangements or making any purchases.

Please note that Department administrative staff must have your approved paperwork and request before the use of college funding. Transactions and reimbursement requests that occur without appropriate prior approval will not be processed.

College and University Information

Copyright: Getting Started

Resources from Syracuse University Libraries to help you navigate complicated (and important!) copyright issues

Syracuse University Libraries are committed to the faculty, students, and staff. If you have any copyright questions about materials or resources that you are using for instructional or research purposes, please email the SU Libraries copyright team at cipa@syr.edu.

Falk College Faculty Reference Manual

The Falk College Faculty Reference Manual can be accessed from the Dean’s office.

Syracuse University Faculty Manual

The Faculty Manual brings together information on the mission and vision of Syracuse University, on policies governing the faculty, and on the rights and responsibilities of the faculty of Syracuse University.

Department Leadership and Committee Membership

Department Leadership Team

Chair, Lutchmie Narine, 2020– 2022.

Undergraduate Programs Director, Maureen Thompson, 2021 – 2024.

Graduate Programs Director, David Larsen, 2021 – 2024.

Addiction Studies Coordinator, Dessa Bergen-Cico, 2019 – 2021.

Program Assessment & Review Committee (PARC)

Chair, Lutchmie Narine, 2020 - 2023

Member, Maureen Thompson, 2020 - 2023

Member, Luvenia Cowart, 2020 - 2023

Member, Sandra Lane, 2020 - 2023

Member, Megan Snow, 2020 - 2023

Student Representative, Robert Donegan, 2020

Graduate Recruitment, Admissions & Retention Committee

Chair, Brooks Gump,  2020 -2023

Graduate Program Director, Lutchmie Narine, Standing.

Member, David Larsen, 2018 -2020

Student Representative, Brielle Ganthier, 2020

Promotion and Tenure Committee

Member, Dessa Bergen-Cico

Member, Brooks Gump

Member,  Sandra Lane

Faculty Council Representative

David Larsen 2019 - 2022.

Advisory Council

Nader Atallah-Yunes, Ivan Castro, Indu Gupta, Kennedy Hagens, Timothy “Noble” Jennings-Bey, LaTisha Marshall, Andres Moreira, Megan Wagner-Flynn.

Graduate Committee Appendices

Appendix A. Admission Criteria and Policies

Students applying to the program are required to submit:

• three letters of recommendation

• official transcripts

• a personal statement

• results from their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination (only for international students where English is not the primary language)

• an undergraduate degree from an accredited university

• a minimum grade point average during the undergraduate degree of 3.2 or 3.2 equivalent for international students. 

Minimum requirements for admission include:

The graduate committee places substantial weight on the types of courses taken during undergraduate studies (i.e. science courses), letters of recommendation, and the quality of the personal statement. 

Admission decisions timing

Students are admitted to the program on a rolling basis. It should be noted that the committee process for awarding of assistantships is conducted the first week of March (see procedures below); therefore, priority is given to students applying for assistantships prior to February 28th. The committee strives to review each ready application within one week. The external communication to applicants regarding the admission decision will be performed within a maximum of three weeks from completion of the application. Applications submitted after April 30 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Appendix B. Awarding and expectations for graduate assistantships and scholarships

Graduate assistantships can be divided into half-awards but will not be reduced below half-awards.  GA awards include tuition credit hours each academic year and a stipend. At least 50% of available awards will be reserved to attract meritorious applicants external to Syracuse University, i.e. not awarded to 4+1 students or students coming directly from a bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University. The remainder of the assistantships as well as any credit-hour scholarships will be given to the candidates of greatest merit regardless of their status as an internal or external candidate. The award offer will specify whether an RA or TA is being offered. The decision on offering an RA or TA is based on a review of student backgrounds, student’s expressed interest, and current faculty needs. If a prospective student is offered a position that does not match their interest (e.g., they are interested in a TA but are offered a RA), they have the right to decline the award. A request for any change in status (from TA to RA, or RA to TA) must be submitted to the committee for review – there is no assurance that this request will be granted and the student retains the right to withdraw from a GA.

If a graduate student is given a half-award for their first year of study, that award should continue for the second year of the program if that student received a positive assistantship evaluation from the previous year and expresses an interest in continuing to receive GA support.  A GA can be awarded for a maximum of 1 year for 4+1 students and for 2 years for all other students.

It should be noted that the committee process for awarding of assistantships is conducted the first week of March; therefore, priority is given to students applying for assistantships prior to February 28th. The first week of March the graduate committee will meet to review, vote and decide on the awarding of graduate assistantships to students. During the first meeting in March not all awards need to be assigned, and some may be reserved. The committee will meet again the first week of April for finalization. Should any awarded students decline their offer, or any previously unassigned awards be available, the remaining awards may be assigned at the discretion of the graduate director.

Expected Scope of Work for GAs

Research Assistants. Responsibilities include any duties that contribute to the research program of the faculty member. Tasks that are not directly tied to faculty research are not considered appropriate (e.g., a task that frees up time for faculty to do research but is not linked to that research is not appropriate).

Teaching Assistants. Responsibilities include any duties that directly assist a faculty member with his/her teaching needs. Again, tasks that are not directly tied to faculty teaching are not considered appropriate (e.g., a task that frees up time for faculty but is not linked to that teaching is not appropriate).   

Appendix C. Assigning of graduate assistants to faculty

Criteria for assigning graduate assistants to faculty

In assignment of graduate assistantships (as either TA or RA, and to a particular faculty member), the committee judges the following criteria with no criterion being more important than another and all criteria examined as a whole:

1. Student expressed interest from personal statement for specific area of study or interest, e.g. malaria, addictions, epidemiology.

2. Student’s expressed interest in either a TA or RA.

3. Faculty rank with priority going to tenure track assistant professors over tenured associate or full professors.

4. Faculty’s previous experience with an assistant.

5. Faculty’s teaching load in terms of class size, labs, and service learning.

6. Faculty’s capacity to engage a student in terms of scholarship, service, and teaching.

Faculty request for graduate assistants

Faculty requesting a graduate assistant will submit the graduate assistant request form (appendix 1) by March 7th the semester preceding the year for which they are requesting the assistant. The committee will meet the second week of March to determine the assignment of graduate assistantships to the faculty. Faculty are encouraged to submit requests for both a TA and RA, if they deem there is justification. Although a faculty member is unlikely to be assigned both an RA and TA in any given semester/year, these requests will provide the committee greater flexibility when determining the best match for faculty-student assignments.  If an assistantship becomes available mid-academic year, then a new request for assistants will be requested from faculty with a due date ten days from the request being sent out. All faculty are eligible to make this request.

Continuation Review of Graduate Assistant Performance and Experience

Continuation of GA awards requires that the student maintain a 3.0 GPA in the program. The additional review of graduate assistants will be 360 degrees, wherein both the faculty supervisor and the student will be surveyed to assess the “goodness of fit” for the faculty and the graduate student. Assessment of the faculty experience will be implemented by a member of the committee. A confidential survey will be sent to students and faculty. Graduate student reviews will also include a discussion with the graduate director to identify strengths, weaknesses and challenges in the assistantship. In the event that the graduate director has a graduate assistant assigned to her/him, then the chair of the committee will assign someone other than the graduate director to conduct the interview. Following the confidential survey and interview with the graduate director, or designated interviewer, the committee will make three separate recommendations: 1) a recommendation of whether the student should continue with an award, and 2) whether the student should continue with an assistantship with the same, or a different, faculty supervisor. Should it be determined that the faculty supervisor should not be awarded a graduate assistant for the coming academic year, the graduate director or designated interviewer will refer the situation to the department chair for appropriate follow-up.

Appendix D: Form for faculty to request assistants:

Public Health Request for a Graduate Assistant

 Directions: Please address the following items in your request for a graduate assistant.

Faculty Name:

Faculty Rank:

In the table below please list each course and the estimated enrollment for your courses for the next academic year. Also note if there are placements or service learning (e.g. HTW 200 fall semester enrollment ~ 50: HTW 300 spring semester enrollment ~ 90).

Please describe your needs for the next academic year for a graduate assistant. In doing so, please specify if you are requesting a TA or RA or both and describe how you envision the assistant will spend 10 hours per week over the course of the year to support your teaching, research, or service needs.

If you have a student preference, please specify: _________________________________________________________