Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy

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Association of Universities for Research in
Astronomy

• Presentation to
• Subaru Users Committee

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What is AURA?

• AURA is a consortium of universities founded in
  1957
• The mission of AURA is to establish and operate
  public observatories
• AURA membership now includes 33 U.S. institutions
  and 7 international institutions.
• AURA now manages four major observatories
• National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO)
• National Solar Observatory (NSO)
• Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
• Gemini

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AURA Growth
Increased International Linkages
Gemini era
AURA takes on Hubble Space Telescope
AURA becomes Policy voice
Beginnings, have not universities
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AURA Members International

• Universidad de Chile1992
• Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile1997
• Australian National University1999
• Leiden University2000
• University of Toronto--2004
• Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias2005
• Kiepenheuer-Institut fur Sonnenphysik2005

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Why Be An AURA MemberRoleVoice

• Part of a very active network for communication
  and interaction and discussion of major policy
  issues.
• Role in guiding AURA and hence whatever AURA does
  to affect future directions in astronomy.
• Direct role in management of AURA centers through
  the AURA Board and Management Councils.

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Why Does AURA Want International Affiliates?

• AURA has always included international
  participants on its Board and other governance
• At least two of our twelve Board Members must be
  international
• We view international collaborations as one way
  to meet US community needs.
• We believe that international collaborations need
  to be based on strong ties at the university
  community level.

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Membership Guidelines

• We emphasize links at the university level,
  rather than governmental entities per se
• Faculty of 5, generate at least a PhD per year
• Involvement in AURA programs and mission, e.g.
• Service on councils, Board
• Publications based on use of AURA facilities

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Some Current AURA Interests

• Large Synoptic Survey Telescope AURA is a
  partner, LSST site in Chile
• Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope AURA is the
  overall Program Manager to advise NSF on
  implementation TMT, GMT, International
• Advanced Technology Solar Telescope AURA is
  manager and operator
• National Virtual Observatory AURA and AUI will
  form a joint management corporation
• James Webb Space Telescope AURA will manage
  science operations

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A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA
NOAO

• Over the past 5 years (semesters 2003B-2008A) we
  have received 139 proposals with P-Is or Co-Is
  from Japanese institutions.  50 of these have
  been successful and gotten time.
• Within these 139 proposals, there are 118
  different astronomers, from 24 different Japanese
  institutions.

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A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA
NSO

• Traditionally have long term Japanese visiting
  scientists at NSO
• Dunn Solar Telescopes and SOLIS are providing
  collaborative data for the Hinode mission.
• AURA is interested in collaboration on the
  Advanced Technology Solar Telescope, now in
  planning.

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A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA
STScI

• No Japanese PIs for HST time.
• We would like to include Japanese members on our
  upcoming Time Allocation Committee

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A Brief Look at Japanese Institutions and AURA
Gemini

• Collaboration among MK Observatories is
  inherently productive.
• 5 nights per semester time exchange
• WFMOS is an ideal (but challenging) collaborative
  project.

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Conclusion

• We would like to consider a Japanese member
  institution for AURA
• For further information go to
• http//www.aura-astronomy.org/

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Backup
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AURA Governance
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Member Representatives

• Elect Board, elect Management Council slates.
• Maintain strong linkage to academia Broaden
  AURAs role and viewpoint
• Forum for raising major concerns and policy issues

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Membership Guidelines

• The applicant institution should demonstrate
  that it has been successful in promoting
  astronomy in its own institution as evidenced by
  the quality, scope, and effectiveness of its
  astronomy program with these guidelines
• a. All Applicants
• i. A staff of five or more faculty or equivalent
  and
• ii. A research program that, on assessment of its
  quality and effectiveness, would place the
  applicant among the ranking of current AURA
  members.
• b. Universities
• i. A graduate program leading to a doctorate in
  astronomy, astrophysics, or related studies and
• ii. An average of one or more doctorates awarded
  per year over a five-year period.
• c. Other Nonprofit Institutions (e.g. Carnegie
  Observatory)
• i. Significant contributions to astronomical
  research through the operation of facilities or
  sites or through other means and
• ii. Programs to promote astronomy, for example,
  through public or private education.

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Member Guidelines, Cont.

• The applicant institution should have
  demonstrated an involvement in AURA's role and
  mission in astronomy through
• a. Publications by faculty or staff, and, if
  applicable, by students based upon data gathered
  at AURA facilities and
• b. Service by faculty or staff on AURA's Board of
  Directors or on AURA Centers' advisory or review
  committees, such as visiting, users, telescope
  time allocation, etc.

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International Members

• Up to 20 of AURA membership can be international
• International members serve three year terms up
  to a total of nine years.
• AURA wants to make sure we sample different
  segments of the community

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AURA Members US

• Boston University1993
• Caltech1972
• Carnegie Institution1997
• Harvard1957
• Indiana University1957
• Iowa State1992
• Johns Hopkins1982
• MIT1981
• Michigan State1997
• Montana State2005
• New Mexico State U.1999
• Ohio State U1957
• Penn State U1990
• Princeton1959
• Rutgers U--1999
• SUNY-Stonybrook--1986
• University of Arizona--1972

• U. Cal Berkeley2007
• U. Cal Santa Cruz1957
• University of Chicago1957
• University of Colorado1977
• University of Florida2002
• University of Hawaii1978
• University of Illinois1980
• University of Maryland1986
• University of Michigan1957
• University of Minnesota1995
• University of North Carolina1995
• University of Texas1972
• University of Virginia2003
• University of Washington1986
• University of Wisconsin1957
• Yale University--1958

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AURA Management
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AURA Board

• All authority flows from the AURA Board
• Restructured in 1996 to ensure a more efficient,
  conflict-free body.
• 12 elected members
• At least 4 Member Representatives
• 4 not Member Representatives
• 2 from non-US institutions
• Management Council Chairs
• President

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Board Responsibilities

• Maintains financial authority
• Approve budget
• Approve proposals
• Approve contracts
• Elects members of Management Councils
• Appoints President, Center Directors, and other
  top managers.
• Establishes policy

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Management Councils

• Dual role of advocating the mission of the AURA
  Center and conducting oversight
• Subsidiary body of AURA Board with delegated
  responsibilities for selecting staff, approving
  tenure, reviewing program plans, reviewing
  proposals, etc.
• Acquires in depth knowledge of the program
• Mix of AURA and non-AURA related members
• Acts as a conduit for bringing new ideas to the
  program

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AURA Impact

• Major operator of US public observatories and
  proponent of public astronomy
• Active forum for addressing major policy issues
  for the community
• Strong international linkages and proponent of
  international collaboration
• Enabler of major community activities (e.g.
  workshops, science working groups, etc.)
• Direct influence on policy process and funding
  issues with the agencies, OMB, Congress, etc.

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Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope

• As a result of the SR, AURA (and hence Gemini)
  will not be directly involved in any GSMT
  project. AURA to act as National Program
  Manager
• AURA defines role as
• Providing access to extremely large telescopes
  during the JWST era, at a sufficient number of
  nights to meet community needs
• Providing direct support for operations that will
  ensure the efficient and effective use by
  community observers
• Ensuring that supporting facilities (the ensemble
  of telescopes comprising the US system) make it
  possible for investigators at all institutions to
  plan and execute programs on extremely large
  telescopes.

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Nominating Committee

• Elected by the Member Representatives at the
  Annual Meeting.
• Consists of five individuals from Member
  Institutions.
• Prepares slate of candidates for
• Board of Directors
• Chair of the Board
• Chairs and Members of the Management Councils

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Membership Committee

• Identifies and recommends new member institutions
  for corporate membership
• Advise on issues of current membership

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Policy and Personnel Committee

• Review major policy issues and make
  recommendations at the request of the Chair (e.g.
  tenure policy, diversity, compensation and pay,
  etc.)
• Approve policy manual changes as needed

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Comparable Organizations
Organization AURA UCAR AUI URA USRA
Business Diversity Four major business units Two major business units One major business unit Two major business units 20 business units (varying sizes)
Member Institutions 39 (some international) 69 (25 overlapping, some international) 0 (9 Founding Institutions, 6 overlapping) 90 (30 overlapping) 97 (26 overlapping, some international)
Governing Board 16 Board Members 20 Trustees 22 Trustees 17 Trustees 14 Trustees
Staff 1000 1400 450 2000 420
Revenues 160 M 190 M 100 M 316 M ?