UNIVERSITY CORPORATION FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH

MINUTES

Annual Members' Meeting
7-8 October 2003
Boulder, Colorado

TUESDAY, 7 OCTOBER

1. CONVENE THE ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING

Chairman Leo Donner called the Annual Meeting of the UCAR Members to order at 12:30 pm on Tuesday, 7 October, in the Auditorium of the Center Green campus in Boulder, Colorado. Donner welcomed members of the UCAR Board of Trustees, Members' Representatives (59 of the 66 institutions were represented), Academic Affiliates' representatives, members of the University Relations Committee, NSF colleagues and guests and thanked them all for attending this meeting. He then announced UCAR President Richard Anthes had recently received the Friendship Award from China, the highest award given to non-residents. After reviewing the agenda, it was regularly moved, seconded, and passed to adopt the agenda for the 7-8 October Members' meeting.

Present for all or portions of the meeting were the following Members' Representatives and officially appointed substitutes:

2. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ANNUAL REPORT

Chairman of the UCAR Board of Trustees Leo Donner (Princeton U), outlined the Trustee activities over the past year. He reported that the Trustees had extensively discussed the NCAR realignment plan, approved the building of the new Chemistry Lab at the Foothills campus, heard regular updates regarding space issues, approved the appointments of two new senior scientists at NCAR, and been briefed regularly and thoroughly on HIAPER and on the NSF reviews of NCAR and UCAR.

3. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. Secretary's Report

Secretary Mary Jo Richardson (Texas A&M) asked for approval of the minutes from the October 2002 Annual Members Meeting. It was moved, seconded, and passed to approve the minutes.

B. Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Barbara Feiner (Washington U in St. Louis) reviewed the Consolidated Statement of Funding and Expenditures for the eleven months ended 31 August 2003. The Members received copies of this report in advance of the meeting. It was moved, seconded, and passed to receive the report.

4. UCAR PRESIDENT’S REPORT

In his introductory remarks, UCAR President Richard Anthes noted the financially tough times the federal labs are facing and thanked NSF for its long-term support of NCAR.

Anthes, in his overview on current activities and accomplishments, reported that the five-year Cooperative Agreement was signed the first of October; that Maura Hagan (HAO) and Jim Hurrell (CGD) were appointed Senior Scientists; and that GEO Forum 2004, a new collaborative event designed for an audience of 250 undergraduate science-oriented students, has been scheduled for March 30 in Washington D.C.. Other activities will be covered in reports later in the meeting.

He emphasized the importance of advocacy activities, pointing out that these activities are even more crucial today because of the tight budgets. He then briefed the Members on the remodeling planned for Center Green and Foothills and on the construction scheduled for the chemistry building at Foothills and HIAPER’s hangar at Jeffco. In conclusion Anthes highlighted current educational and outreach activities: he noted the highly successful SOARS program; he explained that the forum held this summer for early career NCAR scientists and for junior faculty at universities was developed to foster collaboration in the early stages of a scientist’s career; he reported on the NCAR Undergraduate Leadership Workshop held in June, the second annual week-long program for 20 junior and senior university student nominees; and lastly on the UCAR Leadership Academy, a five-month program to be held annually for UCAR staff who are middle-career scientists, administrators and engineers.

Anthes also thanked Eron Brennen for his expert technical support during all the meetings.

5. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

Trustee Mary Jo Richardson (Texas A&M), Chairwoman of the Members’ Nominating Committee, reported on this year’s process for nominating the slate of trustee candidates and members committees. She asked for approval of the voting procedure and appointment of the tellers, and reviewed the slate of candidates for Trustees and the Member Committees.

It was moved, seconded, and passed to appoint Melissa Miller and Kathryn Strand as tellers for the Trustee election.

Richardson then reviewed and recommended the following voting procedure that has been used for the past several years:

It was regularly moved, seconded, and passed to adopt the voting procedure as proposed.

Richardson reviewed the slate of candidates and responsibilities of the Board members in anticipation of the elections the next day.

6. UCAR FORUM

Part I: The Keynote Address

James Duderstadt, President Emeritus and Professor of Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, spoke to the Members on "The Future of the American Research University."

A panel convened immediately following Duderstadt’s talk. The panel was comprised of the following members: Rosina Bierbaum, Dean, School of Natural Resources and Environment

(U of MI); William Gern, Vice President for Research (U of WY); Gary Ostrander, Associate Provost for Research (Johns Hopkins); and John Snow, Dean, College of Geosciences (U of OK). Discussion with the Members, Affiliates, and guests followed.

Part II: Geoscience Connections: UCAR and the Universities

The following breakout sessions explored how to work more closely together on specific scientific topics and university issues.

1. Water Cycle. Co-chairs: Larry Winter (NCAR), Eric Betterton (U of AZ)
2. Biogeosciences. Co-chairs: Peter Thornton (NCAR), Sepi Yalda (Millersville U)
3. Cyberinfrastructure. Co-chairs: Don Middleton (NCAR), Jim Hansen (MIT)
4. Next Generation Observing System. Co-chairs: Dave Carlson (NCAR), Michael Morgan (U of Wisconsin-Madison)
5. Next Generation Faculty. Co-chairs: Kaye Howe (UCAR), Gene Takle (Iowa State U)

WEDNESDAY, 8 OCTOBER

7. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT (cont'd.)

A. Trustees Election

Nominating Committee Chairwoman Richardson recommended adoption of the slate of Trustee candidates as presented the previous day. It was moved and seconded to close the nominations and to adopt the slate. There being no nominations from the floor, the motion passed.

The result of the Trustee election is as follows:

B. Members' Committees' Election

The following nominations were submitted for UCAR Members' committees:

There were no nominations from the floor. It was moved, seconded, and passed to elect the slate of Members' committees as submitted.

8. ADVOCACY, LEGISLATION AND APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE

April Burke and Joel Widder, Lewis-Burke Associates, addressed current Federal budget and policy issues of interest to the community: modest increases in the NSF and other agency authorizations; the federal support for climate change research remaining at the FY03 levels with most of the funding now coming through the Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) rather than the US Global Change Research Program; and uncertainty surrounding visas for foreign students and scientific visitors. Discussion centered on the changes for NOAA, and in particular the fate of the NOAA laboratories in Boulder. Burke, the report from the committee formed to examine the future of the labs, is due in December of this year.

Cindy Schmidt, Director, Office of Government Affairs, outlined advocacy activities since the last Members Meeting, emphasized the value of Board and Members visiting the Hill in support of the Federal science budget, and made a plea for more Member and Affiliate representatives to let their congressional delegations know how important it is to support science.

A number of awards were given to people who have been very active over the past year in advocating for the sciences. The awardees were: Ernest Agee, Purdue University; Eric Betterton, University of Arizona; Rich Clark, Millersville University; Kerry Cook, Cornell University; Jim Hansen, MIT; Gary Ostrander, Johns Hopkins University; John Snow, University of Oklahoma; Fred Stafford, University of Chicago; Don Wuebbles, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

9. NSF REPORT

Cliff Jacobs, Head, UCAR and the Lower Atmospheric Facilities, ATM/NSF spoke to the Members on the following topics:

• NSB Action. Jacobs reported that the National Science Board passed a resolution on 22 May 2003 to renew the cooperative agreement with UCAR for the management of NCAR.
  
• Provision of Facilities. Jacobs reported on the recently published report on the current state and future needs of the scientific infrastructure: "Science and Engineering Infrastructure for the 21st Century: the Role of the National Science Foundation." He noted that the study was prompted by the new information technologies enabling a different and new Science and Engineering infrastructure, and the need to understand how best to exploit these opportunities. Jacobs outlined the history of ATM/NSF funding of NCAR and facilities noting the slow but relatively steady decline in the percentage of ATM funding that NCAR receives. The "challenges and gaps" include the increasing need for computing power and observational facilities and funding for the increasingly complex field programs.
  
• National Academy of Sciences Study. In May, the NSB passed a resolution recommending that "the NSF initiate a process to engage the broader atmospheric sciences community in a strategic review of mechanisms most appropriate to move the nation’s current and future science and educational goals forward. The review should evaluate specific modes of support for the facilities, research, and education." NSF is developing a list of questions to be explored; These questions will focus on the most effective mechanisms and approaches for ATM to use in the future to best accomplish its mission of stewardship of the atmospheric sciences. serve the needs of the nation. The study will address how to most effectively conduct long-term, interdisciplinary cutting edge research in the atmospheric sciences as well as the best way to educate students, and how to ensure state of the art, accessible observational and computational infrastructures and databases. It will also assess the appropriate balance between types of research and education, and the most effective balance between distributed and centralized infrastructure support. An important component of this will be to address how NSF can ensure and encourage the broadest participation and involvement of the atmospheric researchers at a variety of institutions, so there is a good balance between teaching and research at both large and small universities.
  
• Budget Status. Jacobs summarized some FY03 NSF proposal statistics. He reported that the number of funded proposals was up this year by 1500—23,700 out of the 40,000 proposals were funded and that the overall NSF average funding rate was 28%—down from 32% in FY02. Jacobs said the preliminary FY04 NSF budget numbers show an increase of 5% over FY03.

10. UOP DIRECTOR’S REPORT

UOP Director Jack Fellows advertised the recently developed Proflist, an email list of college and university professors in the atmospheric and related fields and designed as a communication tool. He added that 135 users are currently subscribed.

Fellows reviewed the mission and focus of UOP, pointing out that most of its programs were community grass-roots initiatives. He highlighted some of the current activities:

• JOSS (Joint Office for Science Support)—teamed up with NCAR’s ATD and created unprecedented real-time communications and tracking system in support of the BAMEX (Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment) field campaign
  
• COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate)— announced first spacecraft almost completed and that launch is set for September 2005.
  
• Unidata—began administration of Equipment Awards, formerly an NSF activity, and funded 14 projects this past year.
  
• DLESE (Digital Library for Earth System Education)—released Version 2.0 of the library. · COMET (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology)—redesigned MetEd website where most of the educational modules reside and received the AMS Louis J. Battan award for "Hurricane Strike" (a K-12 project).
  
• GLOBE—In June 2003 UCAR and partner Colorado State University were formally awarded management of GLOBE. Approximately 650 students and staff attended the GLOBE Learning Expedition, held in Croatia in the summer of 2003, from 24 countries.

11. NCAR DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Tim Killeen, NCAR Director, outlined the major NCAR management activities over the past year. These included meetings of the NCAR Advisory Council; internal planning and assessment activities in response to review panel recommendations; beginning development of a 10-year plan for facilities; creating a post tenure review for those at the Scientist III and Senior Scientist levels; comprehensive oversight, including detailed staffing reviews for HIAPER and ATD. Killeen listed the new Scientist Is noting that women now comprise 19% of the scientific staff overall at NCAR, and minorities 14%. Killeen said he is not resting with those numbers but is happy with the upward trend.

Among scientific topics, he reported on the progress in the HIAPER research aircraft project saying that HIAPER should be ready for the community to use in late 2005. He also reported on the success of the CCSM and the intense period of model development activity this fall leading up to "freezing" the model so it can be used by the IPCC in that body’s work to assess the state of climate change.

Killeen reported on the activities surrounding the "realignment" of NCAR’s scientific projects and programs, noting especially the significant amount of work by internal committees at NCAR to determine the final recommendation. As background, he noted the NSF review panel’s recommendation for UCAR and NCAR management to examine whether NCAR/UCAR are currently organized in an optimal way "in light of evolving research needs." Four new institutes are being designed—Institute for Advanced Studies; Institute for Mathematics and Geosciences; Institute for Multidisciplinary Studies; and the Institute for Natural and Human Systems. The internal committees will present their final report in November. Killeen noted that, in addition to enhancing the capabilities for interdisciplinary work at NCAR, one of the guiding principles of the realignment is to build stronger connections with the universities.

12. UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE (URC) REPORT

URC Chairman Eric Betterton began his report by saying how much he enjoyed interacting with UCAR/NCAR staff and management during his six years on the URC and by naming John Merrill (U of Rhode Island) as the newly appointed Chairman. In continuing his report, he said that over the years one of the major activities of the committee has been the review of non-NSF NCAR proposals and non-core UOP proposals, and because this review procedure has become well established and understood, few issues now arise during the subcommittee’s review. At their meeting at Stanford last April, the committee discussed what other activities they could pursue and how to develop a more positive role for UCAR than one of watchdog. Betterton pointed out that this discussion also was in response to the NSF Review Panel recommendation that the URC’s role be expanded.

In summary, Betterton said that along with retaining their oversight role in reviewing proposals and in continuing to set the Members’ agenda, the URC is proposing to become engaged in the implementation of NCAR’s Strategic Plan, to be actively involved in the UCAR/NCAR Junior Faculty Forum, and to assist in the development of the Faculty Fellows Program.

13. SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS EVALUATION COMMITTEE (SPEC) REPORT

Robert Duce, Chairman of the SPEC, reported on activities since the last Members’ Meeting. He reported to the Members and Affiliates on his and Franco Einaudi’s (NASA Goddard) participation in the NSF Site visit in December 2002 to review UCAR’s proposal to NSF to renew the cooperative agreement for the management of NCAR (2003-2008) . He reported their findings:

• The NSF Review Panel was thorough and thoughtful, and the entire process was carried out in a fair and impartial manner.
• NCAR and UCAR did an excellent job, both with the proposal and with the oral presentations made to the panel.
• NCAR and UCAR responded rapidly and effectively to requests for additional information and for changes in the schedule.

Duce said that he and Einaudi concurred with the NSF review panel’s findings, which were "highly complimentary and positive about the proposal, the leadership at UCAR and NCAR, and the strong research programs at NCAR."

14. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

UCAR Membership Committee Chairman Art Few reviewed the renewal process, and recommended election of two institutions to UCAR Membership. It was moved, seconded, and passed to elect University of California at Berkeley to UCAR Membership; it was moved, seconded, and passed to elect Columbia University to UCAR Membership.

Few recommended re-election of the following universities to UCAR Membership for eight-year terms beginning in January 2004. It was moved, seconded, and passed to re-elect the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Utah, the University of Virginia, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Few reported that the Membership Committee approved the renewal of the following institutions to the Academic Affiliate Program for eight-year terms beginning in January 2004: Jackson State University, Millersville University, the University of North Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and San Jose State University.

15. ACADEMIC AFFILIATES' PROGRAM (AAP) REPORT

Richard Clark (Millersville University) reported on the various discussion topics during the a meeting held the previous day: Mohan Ramamurthy, Unidata Director, gave a presentation on the future directions for Unidata; Eron Brennen talked with the Affiliates about a multimedia repository at UCAR. Clark emphasized that, in keeping with the some of the themes of this meeting, students should be exposed to cross cutting science because the future scientific issues that they will address will be "inherently interdisciplinary".

16. UCAR FORUM PART II: BREAK OUT SESSION REPORTS

The four break out group leaders summarized their discussions. A few highlights are outlined below. The presentations can be found at http://www.ucar.edu/governance/meetings/oct03/followup/forum.html.

A. Water Cycle. Larry Winter and Eric Betterton, co-chairs. The group suggested the following: doing a survey of existing activities; using the CCSM as a model for university interactions; linking to State interests through Member universities.

B. Biogeosciences. Peter Thornton (NCAR) and Sepi Yalda (University of Millersville) co-chairs. The group summarized ongoing NCAR and university activities and discussed avenues of possible collaboration. They recommended development of on-line guides and modules for curriculum development, improved communication of ongoing initiatives.

C. Cyberinfrastructure. Jim Hansen (MIT) and Don Middleton (NCAR). They asked a series of questions related to cyber roadblocks to science and optimal organizational structure to accomplish the science and identified needs, such as easy to use collaborative tools.

D. Next Generation observing system. Michael Morgan (U of Wisconsin) and David Carlson (NCAR). The group discussed the work of ATD and at universities, observing strategies, THORPEX. Questions centered around construction and testing of new observing systems and the most important problems facing the observational community.

E. Next Generation Faculty. Kaye Howe (UCAR) and Gene Takle (Iowa State).

Discussion centered on the changing character of undergraduates; part time and non-tenured teaching opportunities; and ideas for support of new faculty.

17. UCAR FOUNDATION REPORT

J. Reaves updated the Members on UCAR Foundation activities. He briefly presented a history and overall strategy of the Foundation, i.e., to take advantage of business opportunities created by UCAR expertise and technology and profitable market opportunities.

He reported on Peak Weather Resources, Inc. created in June 2003 to create an outlet for commercial development of products developed at UCAR . He introduced Peak Weather’s President, Russ Peterman. Reaves reported that there are several active initial business ventures as well as promising future prospects.

Reaves also reported on UCAR Foundation technology licensing activities. He reviewed the producers of sustained revenues and outlined some future prospects saying that future activity for the Foundation’s direct licensing program should increase as a result of Peak Weather Resources focus and ongoing commercialization activities.

18. UNSTRUCTURED DISCUSSION

Discussion centered on the breakout group discussions, and the value of setting up a more formal mechanism to facilitate exchanges between faculty and Senior Scientists.

19. ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.

End of Minutes

This page updated 2004-12-21 13:22 -07 by Michelle Flores
Contact: Susan Warner (303) 497-1655; swarner@ucar.edu