Minutes of the SAO Council
2006 Aug 01, Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
3rd floor Conference Room, 160 Concord
Note: Actions are in italics
Members Present:
Lori Allen,
Rosanne Di Stefano, (Vice Chair)
Martin Elvis,
Bill Forman,
Paul Green (Secretary),
Sylvain Korzennik,
Mike McCarthy,
Aneta Siemiginowska,
Andy Szentgyorgyi, (Chair),
Scott Wolk.
Members Absent:
Antonella Fruscione,
Phil Myers,
John Raymond.
Also Present:
David Aguilar,
Maureen Connors,
Christine Crowley,
Pat Kennedy-Graham,
Mike Pahre
Qizhou Zhang
10:05 call to session
Predoc Program Status - Christine Crowley
There are more predoc applications this year than ever; probably because of
the expanded online presence
and web application forms. The
attached (PDF) plots illustrate general SAO predoc program statistics
over the last 11 years.
- A committee of 3 scientists reviews applications.
- SAO Funding is no longer available for the predoc program.
What it still provides is (1) structured oversight of thesis progress
and (2) some degree of prestige.
Council discussed how there has also been a decline over the years
in the number of named CfA-funded postdocs from 3 to 1. The
named Clay fellowships help to alleviate that loss.
Council debated whether, if funds could be found, should they
be allocated to 1 new CfA postdoc position, or rather to
~2.5 predoc positions? Rosanne argues that predocs leverage SAO
science more directly than do postdocs, so funding should
go there. Andy devilishly advocates that perhaps scientists should
pay for predocs because predocs support individual scientists' aims.
The Council encourages all efforts to find
and allocate funding for the SAO predoctoral fellowhship program.
Christine agrees that we should track where predocs go after SAO.
This would be useful to maintain the prestige of the program,
and to help sell it on its merits whenever funding possibilities
may arise.
CfA Public Outreach Changes - David Aguilar
Public Affairs (PA) is establishing the capability to web CfA News
Conferences, within the next six months.
Outside funding has been secured from the
SI Women's Committee.
Plans are to host 2-3 of these press conferences per years and include New
England press/media.
Other recent initiatives include:
- A lecture series on the Mall, funded by Smithsonian Associates.
- The SAO DVD "Lighthouse of the Skies", which is now playing in
a loop at the Air & Space Museum and at the Castle.
- A once/year program called 'Smithsonian Journeys'
at the Whipple Observatory near Tucson.
CfA Public Nights are increasingly popular.
Crowds are growing to the point where the 3d Thursday public
nights must be split into 2 sessions. Lines for telescope viewing
can last until midnight. About a third of each audience has
never attended before, but this grows to about a half in the summer.
At least for the summer nights, a survey shows that attendees prefer
telescope viewing, the SciFi movies and/or classroom activities
over lectures. May said they'd be willing to pay, but we hope/plan
to keep attendance free.
PA is finding funds for many of these new projects from outside
sources. Science Education Department has helped to
identify and secure many of these.
Two new telescopes should appear on the roof of B Building
at 60 Garden this year. Thanks to Menzel funds and other grant
moneys, there will be an 11-inch SCT telescope and a Halpha scope for
solar viewing also available to staff members during the week.
SkyShed has also agreed to donate a prototype of its SkyShed POD
dome, to be used as a 'Kids Only' observatory.
PA plans to setup a 'Lending Library' of 2 telescopes that can be
checked out by CfA staff.
Science Series for Kids on the first Thursday of
each month is planned to begin in the Fall. It will be 'hands-on'
and will include e.g.,
- Science Fair astronomy projects
- How to use your telescope
- Fun projects to do with telescopes
Rosanne asked if or how PA might support projects
that are accessible to a more diverse (e.g., lower income)
group of kids. David expressed his appreciation of the question,
but responded that more funds might be needed to
dedicate staff to such projects, and that in the meantime some
of the programs are viewable online.
David and Pat K-G note that PA now has 2 FTEs here, and one
in Arizona. (2 federal positions, 1 trust.)
Mike Pahre asks, and has confirmed, that there are currently
no open public lecture series on the Mall
by SAO scientists or about SAO science.
Getting Input from the SAO Council "Constituency" - Paul Green
Paul Green asked
- Are we considered relevant by most SAO scientists?
- How/do we need to increase our visibility/accessibility or responsiveness?
Several Councillors mentioned that people approach them with
question/comments/suggestions in the hallways, or else by email.
After some discussion, it was agreed that although nobody
at CfA should be shy to email saocouncil@cfa with any concerns of
theirs, some people might prefer an anonymous method.
Sylvain Korzennik agreed to implement and advertise a web page that allows
for anonymous emails to the Council Chair and co-Chair .
The new page is
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa_only/sao_council/email.
Rotation of Ombudspersons - Andrew Szentgyorgyi
Andy points out that the SAO Ombudspersons, "available as a confidential
source for any employee who has a work-related problem, concern, or complaint
that cannot be resolved through normal channels," have never rotated.
According to the best knowledge of all present, Irwin Shapiro, former CfA
Director, appointed Harvey Tananbaum and Kate Kirby as Ombudspersons.
Several members wondered how effective it is to have upper level
supervisors as ombudspersons. Several others struggled to overcome
significant difficulty pronouncing the word "ombudspersons". It was suggested
that a 3d ombudsperson might be a good idea. Before initiating an
investigation into this possibility, the Chair volunteered to ask Harvey
and Kate about their experiences, and to find out how many people have come to
them over the years.
The Secretary notes that a 3d is already available at SI: Chandra Heilman (SI)
at (202) 357-3261.
Update on Action to Restrict Smoking at Entryways to CfA - Bill
Forman
Some complaints about 2d hand smoke wafting into offices have been received.
Maureen informs us that smoking is prohibited throughout Harvard in all
enclosed spaces. SAO's policy is very similar to Harvard's except that
SAO's policy mentions using designated smoking receptacles.
Maureen takes the action remove the ashtray from the red wooden
deck of B-building, and encourage smokers whenever possible to smoke at
some distance from the buildings at 60 Garden. If further action is needed,
the Council may revisit this in the future to consider, e.g., posting signs
and/or insisting on a minimum distance from buildings for smoking.
Update on External Funding Study
- Rosanne Di Stefano, Scott Wolk or Mike McCarthy
This micro-committee has looked informally into the afect of funding
cuts. Cuts in ADP and LTSA have directly affected several scientists and
their science programs.
Are other avenues for funding being sought, or missed? How can the
Council help? Is there a role for the Council to aid the Director in
identifying or campaigning for funds?
SAO would greatly benefit from a Grants Officer whose job it is to
know about opportunities and their relevance to various types of research
programs. Short of that, could we get reps from funding agencies here to
visit: DOE, NSF, Commerce,...?
Pat K-G points out that she, Charles Alcock, and Steve Murray are
discussing getting more help from SI and outside agencies to coordinate and
identify more funding sources.
Sylvain points out that Amanda Preston is already here and could
help, but the process of how to work with her is not clear.
Walk-Ons
Scott Wolk asked whether the telecommuting policy for employees is clear. Pat
K-G says that the policy is that there is no telecommuting, but that each case
should be handled individually.
Executive Session
The Council entered executive session for the last 10 minutes of the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:07am.
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