School of Public Health Bylaws

Article I. Parliamentary Procedure

The most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of all parliamentary situations except as may be otherwise specified in this Constitution and Bylaws. In situations where it is deemed appropriate by a chair or presiding officer, a parliamentarian may be appointed, pro tempore, whose rulings shall be definitive and binding.

Article II. Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees

The standing committees of the school shall be:

Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee; Faculty Consultative Committee; Staff Consultative Committee; Educational Policy Committee; Research Committee; and Recognition, Awards, and Honors Committee. Their purpose, membership, leadership, and meetings are described in the Constitution.

The Policy Council shall function as a Committee on Committees. It shall be responsible for reviewing the role and function of these standing committees named here, and recommending revisions, dissolution, or creation of a new standing committee to be named in the Bylaws. Such changes to these standing committees named here, after approval by Policy Council, would also require a revision to the Constitution & Bylaws under the revision process described in the Constitution & Bylaws.

Typically, standing committees will have elections/appointments structured to create overlapping, staggered terms, with approximately one-third of membership changing each year. Standing committee elections/appointments will take place each spring with membership terms beginning with the fiscal year. The dean’s office will coordinate the process for each committee’s election/appointment of members. In the appointment process, an attempt shall be made to create diversity of consideration of factors such as tenure, experience, disciplinary background, and the expertise of committee members. Membership structure and leadership of each committee is as specified in the Constitution, and the committees may select other officers as deemed necessary. Each committee shall have a written document specifying the committee’s procedures for leadership and other officers’ selection. Each committee is responsible for communicating with their constituents to keep them aware of the committee’s work; the dean’s office will facilitate the ability of each committee to communicate with their constituents.

Section 2. Other Standing Committees

The dean, after consultation with the Policy Council, is empowered to create and dissolve other standing committees and appoint members. New standing committees shall have a defined charge, clear descriptions of membership structure and leadership, appropriate diversity in membership related to the topic and charge, and a reporting requirement.

Section 3. Special Committees

Special ad hoc committees may be created by the dean, Policy Council, or School Assembly to study and make recommendations on special topics. Special committees shall have a defined charge, appropriate diversity in membership related to the topic and charge, a limited time for operation, and a reporting requirement.

Article III. Revision and Amendment of the Bylaws

Section 1.

Revisions and amendments to the Bylaws may be carried out using the same process as for the Constitution, as detailed in Article VI, Section 1, in the Constitution.

Section 2.

Final approval and adoption of revised Bylaws follow the same process as for the Constitution, as detailed in Article VI, Section 2, in the Constitution.

History

Original Constitution and Bylaws Approved by University of Minnesota Board of Regents, May 1980. Revised Constitution and Bylaws Reviewed by School of Public Health Faculty, September 16, 1982.

Revised Constitution and Bylaws Approved by University of Minnesota Board of Regents, January 1983.

Revised Constitution and Bylaws Reviewed at School of Public Health Faculty meeting, May 10, 1993.

Revised Constitution and Bylaws Approved and Ratified by School of Public Health Faculty, May 26, 1993.

Revised Constitution and Bylaws, dated June 2, 1995, Approved and Ratified by School of Public Health Faculty, June 12, 1995.

Revised Bylaws Reflecting APT Membership Approved and Ratified by School of Public Health Faculty, May 25, 1999.

Revised Constitution and Bylaws Updating Titles, Unit Designation and Academic Calendar References, August 20, 1999.

Date Uploaded to the University Policy Website: 01-14-2021

Revised Constitution and Bylaws Approved and Ratified by School of Public Health Faculty, September 29, 2025. Approved by the Provost, October 06, 2025.

Contact Information

School of Public Health Dean’s Office

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 612-625-1179

Web: sph.umn.edu