Computing Advisory Committee

April 18, 2000

The Computing Advisory Committee (CAC) is responsible for establishing divisional computing priorities and policies, and long-range strategic planning and budgeting for future acquisitions. The Committee will prepare recommendations to the Division Director on how best to satisfy the divisional computing requirements. In preparing its recommendations, the Committee will solicit input from the scientific staff and the Systems Management Group (SMG). The Committee will also provide oversight of the divisional web pages. All CAC meetings will be open to any interested staff and visitors.

Specific Responsibilities:

Set Computing Priorities
- Assess user needs and determine priorities for satisfying these requirements.
- Determine the hardware, software, and personnel needed to meet these needs.
Set Computing Policies
- Establish policies for the proper use of computing resources.
- Establish policies for the support provided by the Systems Management Group.
- Establish policies and procedures for the acquisition of hardware at the divisional level as well as through special projects and proposals.
Long-range (2-5 year) strategic planning
- Determine the level of computing resources and services that are necessary to support the science within the division.
- Assess the long-range computing needs of the division and how to satisfy these needs: hardware, software, and personnel.
- Evaluate alternative scenarios for the divisional computing configuration.
Oversight of the divisional web pages
- In accordance with the UCAR policy, establish guidelines regarding what is appropriate to post on the divisional web pages.
- Establish guidelines to maintain consistency of web postings.
- Set priorities for web development and infrastructure.

(Because of rapid technology advances, it will be necessary to reassess scientific computing requirements and future needs every 2-5 years and plan for the acquisitions of equipment that will satisfy those requirements.)

Membership:

One representative from each scientific group and appointed by the Group Hear
One at-large representative appointed by the Division Director
Systems Management Group: Pat Waukau, Bill Boyd, Jody Williams, and Jose Castilleja
One representative from the administrative staff

Chair:

The CAC will recommend to the Division Director one of the scientific staff representatives to preside as the Chair of the Committee. The Chair will serve a term of two years, which can be renewed.

Responsibilities of the Chair:

Preside at and coordinate meetings of the CAC, set the agenda, and ensure that the proper materials are prepared for the meetings.
Provide information to the Division Director on topics discussed at the meetings.
Follow up with the Systems Management Group on action items that are discussed at the meetings.
Coordinate the development of any proposals or recommendations the Committee may generate.

Technical subcommittee:

When needed a subcommittee of CAC members may be formed to gather technical information relevant to CAC deliberations. This may include researching various aspects of computing hardware and software and making technical recommendations.

Frequency of meetings:

Meetings will be held at least twice a year, with additional meetings as needed.

Relationship between the CAC and the Systems Management Group:

The SMG is responsible for implementing priorities and policies established by the CAC and approved by the Division Director. The head of the SMG reports directly to the Division Directory.

CAC Membership:

B. Boyd (Systems Management Group)
J. Castilleja (Systems Management Group)
D. Gill (Mesoscale Prediction Group)
W. Grabowski (Cloud Systems Group)
G. McFarquhar (Physical Meteorology Group)
J. Miller (at-large, Mesoscale Dynamics Group)
J. Pasquotto (Administrative Staff)
B. Skamarock (Mesoscale Dynamics Group)
P. Sullivan (Boundary Layer and Turbulence Group)
P. Waukau (Systems Management Group)
J. Williams (Systems Management Group)

Last Modified: 07 August 2000