Council Member Obligations

Council members are obligated to:
Attend the annual meeting of the Council, which typically precedes the National Environmental Health Association - Annual Education Conference;

Evaluate all self-studies submitted by degree programs seeking accreditation or reaccreditation. Many degree programs are reviewed each year, and Council Members will be asked to review at least one self-study in depth and submit comments to the site visit team. It takes about two hours to review a self-study and prepare and submit your comments to the site visit team. The guide in evaluating a self-study is the Accreditation Guidelines that have been developed by the Council;

Volunteer for service on Council committees or as a Council officer; and

Participate in site visits to degree programs that are seeking accreditation or reaccreditation. This involves preparing for and making the site visit, writing a brief site visit report on your observations at the site visit, and presenting this information to the Council.

For more information about elections, contact the EHAC Office at ehacinfo@aehap.org.

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General Chair of the Council
Vice Chair for Undergraduate Program Chair
Vice Chair for Graduate Program Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Director-at-Large
Member of the Council
Executive Director

General Chair of the Council

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Preside over the annual meeting.
  2. Monitor activities of undergraduate and graduate coordinators and special committees established during our fiscal year.
  3. Respond to requests from universities regarding accreditation. Send out undergraduate and graduate accreditation guidelines.
  4. Answer questions and consult with schools pursuing accreditation and reaccreditation.
  5. Send out communications on accreditation status including need for updates on items required by the Council to meet accreditation guidelines.
  6. Coordinate Council response to complaints from accredited degree programs or students of accredited degree programs, and to appeals of decisions made by the Council regarding accredited degree programs, preaccredited programs or applicant degree programs.
  7. Approve and sign contract for staffing needs each year.
  8. Collect input on and organize the agenda for the annual meeting.
  9. Liaison with the executive director regarding annual meeting minutes, Accreditation Council member list, accredited degree program list, and other duties as necessary.

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Vice Chair for Undergraduate Degree Programs Chair

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Serves as a Council contact person for accredited degree programs and degree programs seeking information and guidance regarding accreditation.
  2. Coordinates the accreditation process for undergraduate degree programs, including:
    a. Selection of the site visit team,
    b. Providing information to degree programs under review regarding document preparation, the site visit, report preparation, and final Council consideration.
  3. Maintains communication with the Council regarding progress on accreditation or reaccreditation of undergraduate degree programs.

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Vice Chair for Graduate Degree Programs Chair

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. In concert with the Undergraduate Degree Programs Chair, advise accredited degree programs when they are due for reaccreditation and site visits, and select potential site visitors when degree programs are to be visited.
  2. Monitor the annual reports from schools, and compile data on enrollment, graduations and faculty. Report curriculum and other changes in or affecting the degree programs.
  3. Chair the committee that reviews the graduate degree program accreditation guidelines.
  4. Respond to questions from schools or others about graduate degree program accreditation. Provide assistance to degree programs undergoing the accreditation application process.
  5. Identify and inform administrators/faculty at institutions with graduate environmental health science and protection degree programs about the accreditation program. Promote the "health component" of the accreditation guidelines to those degree programs lacking this orientation.

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Secretary

The Secretary shall act as secretary of the Council, and the Executive Committee, shall keep a list of members of the Council with dates of their election and the expiration date of the term on the Council, shall keep a list of committee chairpersons and the members of committees and dates of appointment, and shall keep a file of committee meeting minutes provided by committee chairpersons. The Secretary shall prepare minutes of all Council meetings and distribute copies of minutes to all Council members in a timely manner.

The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining all files, records, equipment and memorabilia of the Council. The Secretary shall maintain an inventory of all Council equipment.

The Secretary shall conduct such a part of the correspondence of the Council as is usually conducted by the Secretary of similar organizations.

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Treasurer

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Ensures that all funds collected and distributed are properly accounted for.
  2. Provides initial approval for reimbursement of expenses before arranging for payment by the EHAC office.
  3. Furnishes a financial statement and annual budget to the Council at the annual meeting.
  4. Files necessary documents regarding non-profit status and yearly tax liabilities.
  5. Coordinates the purchase of liability insurance for the Council.
  6. Ensures prompt billing of accreditation fees.
  7. Serves as Council contact with the accounting firm that conducts annual audit.

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Director-At-Large

Responsibilities and Duties

The Director-At-Large is responsible for, and expected to:

  1. Monitor integrity and accountability of the Council,
  2. Monitor the policies and procedures of the Council and Council’s adherence to them,
  3. Review of the Council's bylaws including board structure, and
  4. Identify issues and make recommendations

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Member of the Council

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Attend annual meeting, preceding the AEC-NEHA meetings.
  2. Evaluate all self-studies done by degree programs seeking accreditation or reaccreditation. Prepare and submit comments to the site visit team.
  3. Volunteer for service on Council committees or as a Council officer.
  4. Participate in site visits to degree programs seeking accreditation or reaccreditation. Prepare for and make the site visit. Write a brief site visit report on your observations at the site visit. Present the information to the Council.

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Executive Director

Responsibilities and Duties

  1. Attend annual meeting and take minutes of the meeting.
  2. Prepare and distribute letters of notification, and calls for comment on policy or criteria changes.
  3. Prepare and submit petition for renewal of recognition and any required interim reports to the U.S. Secretary of Education.
  4. Update undergraduate and graduate guideline booklets.
  5. Maintain supplies of accrediting documents.
  6. Respond to requests for brochures, guidelines, and lists of accredited degree programs.
  7. Provide miscellaneous assistance to the Council as needed.

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