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SMPH policy updates in 2024

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Policies pertaining to the School of Medicine and Public Heath are within purview of the Policy Development and Review Committee, which meets every other month. PDRC provides oversight and guidance of school-wide policy standards, policy development, revision, routine review, and approval recommendations to the SMPH Academic Planning Council and/or the Dean’s Leadership Team.

Policies that came before the PDRC in 2024 are listed below. In total, 1 new policy was finalized and 7 policies were assessed and re-issued according to their routine three-year review cycle. All SMPH policies can be found in the UW–Madison Policy Library, which is the official source of university-level and SMPH-level policy documents. (An article is available about a 2022 initiative that contributed school policy content to the campus policy library.) Links to SMPH policies are also available on the SMPH Intranet. The UW–Madison Policy Library and SMPH Intranet also have helpful information about policy development procedures and best practices.

Inquiries about a specific policy can be directed to the individual named as Policy Contact, who is indicated at the end of each policy in the Policy Library.

February 2024

  • SMPH-9001 (Grievance Policy for SMPH Graduate Programs) – Presented by policy contacts Laura Knoll and Maddie Sychta. This policy became effective on Feb. 1, 2021 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended revisions for clarity, equity, and moving procedural content to allow flexibility with updating procedures as needed. The revised policy was republished in the Policy Library on March 13, 2024.
  • SMPH-8090 (Drug Screening in Health Professions Programs) – Presented by policy contact Megan Heneke. This new policy articulates how health professions programs address mandatory clinical component complete drug screens in a fair and equitable manner so that students are prepared to comply with clinical site requirements. The policy was first presented to the committee in October 2023 and again in February 2024. The committee recommended revisions for clarity, equity, moving procedural content to allow flexibility with updating procedures, and advised further review by HR representatives. The finalized policy was published in the Policy Library on March 4, 2024 and became effective on May 1, 2024.

April 2024

  • SMPH-4001 (Leaves of Absence for Faculty Appointments at the Veterans Administration) – Presented by policy manager Kristen Seguin. This policy became effective on January 1, 2006 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended revisions for clarity and consistency, and recommended removal of procedural content. Revisions are in progress and a revised policy is expected to be finalized in 2025.
  • SMPH-4030 (Spousal/Partner Hire) – Presented by policy manager Kristen Seguin. This policy became effective on November 1, 2017 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee made recommendations for clarity and consistency and recommended removal of procedural content. Revisions are in progress and a revised policy is expected to be finalized in 2025.

June 2024

October 2024

  • SMPH-8035 (Unaccredited Events) – Presented by policy manager and contact Megan Heneke. The committee provided recommendations for clarity and alignment with existing university policy. Revisions are in progress and a finalized policy, if approved, is expected in 2025.
  • SMPH-3015 (Official Functions) – Presented by policy contact Heather Richter. This policy became effective on June 13, 2019 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended revisions for clarity, removal of procedural content, and advised pausing further revision to assess impacts of the Administrative Transformation Project and Workday implementation in 2025. Finalization of policy updates is expected in 2025.
  • SMPH-4040 (Reference Checks) – Presented by policy manager Kristen Seguin. This policy became effective on February 1, 2020 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended revisions for clarity. Revisions are in progress and a revised policy is expected to be finalized in 2025.
  • SMPH-3020 (Dual Employed Faculty Relocation for Clinical Departments) – Presented by policy manager Kristen Seguin. This policy became effective on August 1, 2022 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended revisions for clarity and advised further input from fiscal affairs. Revisions are in progress and a revised policy is expected to be finalized in 2025.

December 2024

  • SMPH-8015 (Student Supervision & Safety in the Clinical Setting) – Presented by policy contact Megan Heneke. This policy was in practice prior to 2005 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended minor revisions for clarity. The revised policy was republished in the Policy Library on December 5, 2024.
  • SMPH-8040 (Advancement & Graduation Standards) – Presented by policy contact Megan Heneke. This policy was in practice prior to 2005 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee had no revisions to recommend.
  • SMPH-8085 (Tuition Adjustment & Refunding) – Presented by policy contact Megan Heneke. This policy was effective on May 1, 2017 and was presented for its three-year review cycle. The committee recommended minor revisions for clarity. The revised policy was republished in the Policy Library on December 5, 2024.