School of Public Health Self-Study Report > 1.0 The School of Public Health

1.0 The School of Public Health

• 1.1 Mission
• 1.2 Evaluation and Planning
• 1.3 Institutional Environment
• 1.4 Organization and Administration
• 1.5 Governance
• 1.6 Resources

Introduction

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health is a leader among its peers in public health research, education and engagement in service to local, regional and global communities. As the only school of public health in Minnesota and North and South Dakota, it is a vital contributor to the region's public health infrastructure and quality of health and life.

Established in 1944, the School is guided by a strong mission and well articulated goals and objectives – all under girded by core values emphasizing excellence, integrity and engagement. The School's direction and course – as well as its programs and personnel – are subject to regular evaluation, especially as they relate to the evolving public health environment. Particularly important in the School's ongoing evaluation is the accreditation process, which, in 1999, helped spur a number of improvements, most notably stronger two-way connections with the practice community. These links have proven especially critical in view of new and increasingly complex public health practice challenges in the early 21st Century.

The School is fortunate to be part of a leading academic institution, one that aspires to achieve rank as one of the nation's top three public research universities. While the University provides a supportive environment, it grants broad governance and operational authority to the School. The School's administrative and committee structure promotes participation by administrators, faculty, staff and students in decision- and policymaking. That said, the School continually re-evaluates its internal structure with a view to increased effectiveness and efficiencies.

The School is also fortunate to be part of an inter-professional team in the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, the administrative home of the School and five other health science schools and colleges. This complement allows for greater opportunity for collaboration not only in governance but in the education, research and engaged activities of their faculty and students.

The School enjoys adequate resources to support its programs. While State funding is declining, indirect cost recovery funds continue to provide a major portion of School resources. Increases in tuition revenue, resulting from higher enrollment in distance learning and continuing education programs, have diversified the School's financial portfolio. However, the dispersal of School facilities across some dozen University locations continues to challenge organizational efficiency.

Looking ahead, the School aspires to become the top-ranked public university school of public health in the nation. The vision, the organization, the people and the determination in place today will enable the School to achieve this goal.