School of Health
Article I: PREAMBLE
The Georgetown School of Health (SOH) is dedicated to advancing human health through the pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, and the production of knowledge, and animated through our Jesuit values. This constitution defines the shared governance role of the SOH within the governance framework of the University. The President and Board of Directors of the University authorize the creation of the system of governance for the SOH as specified in this constitution and with the concurrence of the SOH faculty.[1]
Article II: ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOOL
Section 1. The Dean for the School of Health
The Dean is the administrative head of the SOH. The Dean’s responsibilities are outlined in the Georgetown University Faculty Handbook.
Section 2. Appointment of the Dean
The Dean shall be appointed by the President of the University, consistent with University policies and procedures, including the Faculty Handbook, and reports to the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences.[2]
Section 3. Administrative Appointments
Subsection 1. Appointment, Evaluation, and Reappointment of Vice Deans, Associate Deans, Assistant Deans, and Administrative Officers
The SOH Dean shall have the authority to appoint such vice deans, associate deans, assistant deans, and administrative officers as deemed necessary for the effective administration of the SOH. The Dean may delegate duties and responsibilities to other SOH leadership. The Dean may also establish any ad hoc committees of faculty, staff, and/or students that the Dean deems necessary to the administration of the SOH.
Subsection 2: Appointment, Evaluation, and Reappointment of Academic Unit Heads (e.g. Divisions, Centers, Programs, Departments)
The SOH shall be organized into academic units, subject to approval as required by the University Bylaws (see Article VII, below).
Department chairs are appointed consistent with the Faculty Handbook.
For other academic units that serve as appointment homes for faculty, unit heads shall be appointed by the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, on the recommendation of the Dean of SOH and after seeking the recommendation from the faculty in the academic unit (or a search committee that includes academic unit faculty, among others) and the relevant academic officers. The terms and conditions of appointment and reappointment are set forth in the academic unit head appointment letter.
Article III: FACULTY GOVERNING BODY OF THE SCHOOL
Section 1. Responsibilities
In accordance with University policy, the Executive Faculty is the academic policy-making body for the SOH. The Executive Faculty serves as an advisory body to the Dean on academic aspects of significant fiscal and administrative matters.
All SOH academic policy proposals shall be submitted to the Executive Faculty for consideration before implementation. The Dean is responsible for implementing the academic policies approved by the Executive Faculty, unless the Dean determines that there are financial, legal, or other non-academic reasons for deciding not to implement a given policy, or for deciding to implement an academic policy not approved by the Executive Faculty and indicates those reasons in writing. The Executive Faculty, by a two-thirds majority vote, can appeal the Dean’s decision to the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences. The Executive Vice President for Health Sciences’ decision is final.
Section 2. Membership
All full-time[3] faculty members whose appointment (sole or primary) is in the SOH, or who hold a joint appointment in the SOH which includes full governance rights, are members of the Executive Faculty and may vote.
In addition, the Faculty Senate is responsible for designating a Main Campus faculty member to serve as a voting member of the Executive Faculty.
The Executive Vice President for Health Sciences or designee is an ex-officio, non-voting member.
The Executive Faculty may appoint other members, with or without voting rights.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS OF THE EXECUTIVE FACULTY
Section 1. Chair
The Dean of the SOH is the Chair of the Executive Faculty. The Chair presides over meetings of the Executive Faculty.
Section 2. Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair
The Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair must be members of the Executive Faculty.
The Vice Chair of the Executive Faculty is elected by the Executive Faculty for a two-year term. The Vice Chair may run for re-election. During the term, the Vice Chair will serve in the place of the Chair of the Executive Faculty should the Chair be temporarily unable to serve or if so delegated by the Chair.
The Second Vice Chair is elected by the Executive Faculty for a two-year term. The Second Vice Chair may run for re-election. During the term, the Second Vice Chair will serve in the place of the Vice Chair of the Executive Faculty should the Vice Chair be temporarily unable to serve.
The Second Vice Chair also serves as the Parliamentarian, and the Chair or Vice Chair may designate an alternate to substitute if needed.
Section 3. Secretary
The Chair, in consultation with the Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair, will appoint the Secretary of the Executive Faculty. The Secretary may be faculty or staff of the SOH. The Dean is responsible for ensuring there is appropriate support, performance, and continuity in the role. The Secretary will keep an accurate record via minutes of all proceedings and votes of the Executive Faculty, ensure minutes are approved by Executive Faculty, maintain the permanent records of the proceedings in the office of the Dean, maintain the membership roster of the Executive Faculty, conduct the correspondence of the Executive Faculty, and administer elections as set forth in Section 4. The Secretary is responsible for the preservation and continuity of records.
Section 4: Election of Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair
The Vice Chair’s and Second Vice Chair’s two-year term will begin on July 1 of even years. Nominations are to be submitted to the Secretary who shall administer the election process. Elections will generally take place no later than the last business day of April prior to the start of the new term. If the Vice Chair position or Second Vice Chair position is vacated during a term, elections will be conducted as soon as possible to elect an eligible individual to complete the term.
The Chair and Vice Chair will be responsible for developing and maintaining the election policies and procedures as approved by the Executive Faculty. These policies and procedures will outline the election parameters and timeline.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section 1. Regular meetings
The Executive Faculty will meet no less than three (3) times during the academic year. The Dean will provide an update on the state of the school, including a budget update, a minimum of two (2) times per academic year or more often if requested by the Executive Faculty. Committees and task forces will regularly report to the Executive Faculty.
Section 2. Special Meetings
At the request of the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences or the President of the University, the Chair will call special meetings of the Executive Faculty. The Chair or Vice Chair has independent authority to call special meetings as needed. Additionally, if ten percent (10%) or six (6) faculty, whichever is higher, of the Executive Faculty would like a special meeting, they can call a meeting and set the agenda for that meeting.
Section 3. Notice of Meetings
Written notice of all meetings of the Executive Faculty, specifying time and venue, will be given by the Chair with as much notice as possible.
Section 4. Agenda
Generally, proposed agenda items should be submitted to the Chair, Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair ten (10) days[4] in advance of regular meetings. The Chair, after consultation with the Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair, will set the agenda for all regular meetings. The agenda will be provided to the Executive Faculty with as much notice as possible.
Section 5. Attendance at and Participation in Meetings
As set forth in the Faculty Handbook, Executive Faculty members have a responsibility to attend meetings and participate. Meetings will be restricted to members and officers of the Executive Faculty unless opened to invited guests as determined by the Chair or the Vice Chair.
Section 6. Quorum
Greater than fifty percent of the total number of the voting members of the Executive Faculty, present in person or virtually, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings.
Section 7. Deliberation
Generally, deliberation will precede Executive Faculty action. The process of deliberation depends upon faculty participation, in good faith, with respect for the views of others and the willingness to share one’s own views. The minutes of the Executive Faculty will record the deliberations and reflect the rationale for the action.
Section 8. Voting
Unless otherwise specified in this Constitution, a motion passes with a majority of the votes cast [5]. The Vice Chair, after consultation with the Chair and Secretary, is responsible for determining the method and timing of voting, and may use electronic voting mechanisms to facilitate participation. The vote will be conducted by secret ballot upon the request of any member of the Executive Faculty. The record of the vote will indicate whether the vote included only the voting faculty present at a meeting, or occurred over a longer period and included faculty not in attendance. Proxy voting is not permitted.
Section 9. Conduct of Business
In matters not regulated by this Constitution or by the Executive Faculty’s rules of procedure, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised will serve as the parliamentary authority. The Executive Faculty may establish and amend its rules of procedure by majority vote.
ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES
As set forth in the Faculty Handbook, Executive Faculty members have a responsibility to participate in faculty governance. This may include serving on committees and task forces established to advise the Executive Faculty and/or the Dean on academic functions.
Section 1. Standing Committees
Standing committees may be created or dissolved by the Executive Faculty and are expected to routinely report to the Executive Faculty. The charge and structure of the standing committees are documented in the records of the Executive Faculty. Written procedures created by a standing committee must be submitted to the Executive Faculty for approval.
Section 2. Temporary Advisory Groups
Task forces and/or working groups are temporary and may be created by the Dean or Executive Faculty to advise on issues as needed.
Article VII: Academic Units
Section 1. Operations
Academic units operate under their bylaws, which have been approved by both the Executive Faculty of the academic unit[6] and the Dean of the SOH.
Section 2. Establishment and Dissolution
Academic units may be established, dissolved, or moved in conformance with University procedures.
Written proposals for the creation, dissolution, and movement of an academic unit will be presented to the Executive Faculty for consideration at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting. Any vote will follow an opportunity for discussion.
All voting members of the Executive Faculty are eligible to vote for the establishment, dissolution, or movement of an academic unit. A vote will be taken by secret ballot and a two-thirds majority vote will determine the recommendation for the establishment, dissolution, or movement of that academic unit.
The vote and the minutes from the Executive Faculty discussion, including any dissenting views expressed, will be forwarded to the Dean.
If approvals outside of the School are required, the Executive Faculty vote and related materials and the Dean’s recommendation shall be forwarded to the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences, President, and/or Board of Directors as relevant. If a unit from outside the School is involved, input and views from the faculty in that unit will also be forwarded and considered.
ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Notification
Amendments will be introduced by written notification of the Executive Faculty at least ten (10) calendar days before a meeting for which it will be placed on the agenda.
Section 2. Amendments
All members of the Executive Faculty are eligible to vote on amendments to this Constitution. Amendments must be approved by two-thirds of votes cast and submitted through standard University procedures for final approval by the President and Board of Directors of Georgetown University. Amendments become effective when approved by the Board.
ARTICLE IX: RATIFICATION
All faculty members of the current SNHS Executive Faculty who are appointed in units that will constitute SOH as of July 1, 2022, are eligible to vote on ratification of this Constitution. This Constitution must be approved by two-thirds of the votes cast, and submitted through standard University procedures for final approval by the President and Board of Directors of Georgetown University. This Constitution becomes effective when approved by the Board, and no sooner than July 1, 2022. Elections of the initial Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair will take place as soon as feasible after Board approval, and their initial terms will expire on June 30, 2024.
Approved June 9, 2022
Footnotes
[1] Nothing in this Constitution shall supersede the Georgetown University Faculty Handbook.
[2] Search Procedures for Standard Decanal Appointments can be found on the Georgetown University Governance page.
[3] Full-time is defined as effort of 75% or greater.
[4] Unless otherwise specified, for purposes of this Constitution, “days” shall mean “calendar days.”
[5] For purposes of this Constitution, abstentions (either by designation on a ballot or by failure to submit a ballot) do not count as “votes” or “votes cast”.
[6] The Executive Faculty of a unit are, at minimum, those who are members of the School’s Executive Faculty with a primary appointment in the unit or a secondary appointment in the unit that confers governance rights. Units may grant additional unit-level Executive Faculty membership to others via their bylaws.