From its opening in 1893, the primary decision making authority at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has been the Advisory Board of the Medical Faculty. It reports to the Trustees of the University and it is in charge of the educational policies of the Medical School. Its membership consists of the heads of the major departments of instruction. The Board has standing committees of the faculty or staff which vary from time to time according to changing functional needs. The Dean of the Medical Faculty is the administrative officer of the Advisory Board.