Reviewed and Amended by the CIMMS Assembly of Fellows - October 27, 1995

Reviewed and Approved by the CIMMS Council - March 27, 1996

BYLAWS

of

The Cooperative Institute

for

Mesoscale Meteorological Studies

at the

University of Oklahoma

I. SCOPE

It is expected that the research activities of the CIMMS will be developed as multidisciplinary programs incorporating the specialized expertise available within the parent organizations and within the CIMMS itself. Where these local professional resources are insufficient for effective, comprehensive investigation of the chosen themes, the CIMMS will attempt to obtain appropriately qualified personnel through appointments of visiting fellows and temporary staff. Moreover, acting through the University, the CIMMS will seek to obtain financial support for research personnel and facilities to complete these programs by submission of appropriate proposals to external agencies.

II. SUBSTANCE

A. Structure of the CIMMS

1. The Director

The responsibilities of the Director are to:

(a) Provide scientific leadership for CIMMS.

(b) Involve local and visiting scientists in the CIMMS research programs.

(d) Review and assess all research proposals sent to outside agencies through CIMMS.

(e) Prepare an annual summary report of CIMMS programs, projects, and research results.

(f) Serve as Chair of the Council and of meetings of the Assembly of Fellows.

(g) Provide routine administration and be responsible to the Dean of Geosciences for administration and implementation of University Policy.

(h) Maintain accountability for administration within University regulations of all funds supplied to the CIMMS.

(i) Act as the point of contact with departments within the University.

2. CIMMS Scientific Coordinators for ERL and NWS

The Scientific Coordinators will normally be staff members of NSSL (for ERL) and the SPC (for NWS). The Scientific Coordinators will:

(a) Work with the Directors of the CIMMS, SOM, OCS, NWS Regional and Forecast Offices, NCEP SPC and CPC, NWS OSF, and NSSL in developing collaborative CIMMS projects.

(b) Act as points of contact among the University, ERL, NWS, and CIMMS on personnel and administrative actions related to collaboration with NOAA.

(c) Assist the Directors of appropriate NOAA components as the cognizant local NOAA contacts in the development of the CIMMS projects and programs.

3. Scientific Staff of CIMMS

The scientific staff of CIMMS includes the following positions.

a. Fellows are appointed to CIMMS with the concurrence of both parent organizations. Responsibilities of CIMMS Fellows are specified in Section 6 of these bylaws. Resident Fellows who are NOAA staff members may be granted appropriate faculty appointments in accordance with standard University procedure. Fellowships in the CIMMS will in no way affect the status of the persons concerned as tenured Professors or Civil Servants.

b. Visiting Fellows are appointed by the University after recommendations by the Council and the Director of the CIMMS. Appointments as Visiting Fellows need not be on a full-time basis; however, they will be expected to spend a significant period of time in residence at Norman during their appointment. Visiting Fellows are normally given appointments for one year.

c. Senior Research Scientists, Research Scientists, Research Associates, and Scientific Programmers are appointed by the Director of the CIMMS upon the recommendation of the CIMMS Council. Although all Scientists, Associates, and Programmers are part of the CIMMS scientific staff during the period of appointment, the research of some of them is normally carried out using laboratory and computing facilities provided by ERL, NWS, or other University Departments, with funds provided by special arrangement for this purpose. Research Scientists, Associates, and Programmers will normally be appointed on a year-to-year basis, and the Director can establish multiple levels of appointment to reflect their experience and contributions. Occasionally CIMMS base funding may be used to facilitate a CIMMS association. After an initial one to three year appointment, Senior Research Scientists, Research Scientists, and Research Associates may be required to be wholly or partially supported by CIMMS project funds.

d. Students and Graduate Research Assistants will join CIMMS to contribute to ongoing research, to gain research experience, and (in the case of Graduate Research Assistants) to complete a graduate education program under the supervision of University faculty and CIMMS or NOAA staff. The Director can establish multiple levels of appointment to reflect the experience and contributions of Research Assistants. These graduate students will be appointed by the Director of the CIMMS in conformance with the CIMMS policy and University regulations.

4. The Advisory Board

The complete Board will meet regularly, and conduct a full review of CIMMS at least once in each funding cycle. The responsibilities of the Advisory Board include:

(a) Recommendations for appointment of the CIMMS Director.

(b) Review of general policies of the CIMMS including bylaws adopted by the Council, and initiation of appropriate recommendations.

(d) Review and approval of the CIMMS budget and related planning.

(e) Evaluation of the CIMMS programs and activities, including an evaluation of professional standards maintained. A brief report of the Board's evaluation of the CIMMS programs and activities will be prepared by the Chairman of the Board within 60 days of the meeting. Copies of this report will be provided to the Directors of ERL, NWS, NCEP SPC, NCEP CPC, NSSL, the NWS Regional Office, NWS OSF, and to the SOM, the OCS, the Vice President for Research, and the Provost of the University.

(f) Consideration and approval of recommendations for changes, if needed, in this Memorandum of Agreement.

5. The Council

The Council will meet at least quarterly. The responsibilities of the Council are to:

(a) Promote cooperation and scientific collaboration among all Departments, Institutions, and individuals participating in the CIMMS.

(b) Assure that high scientific and professional standards are maintained in the CIMMS programs and projects.

(c) Provide advice and recommendations to the Director of CIMMS regarding appointments of new Fellows, Resident Fellows, Visiting Fellows, Post-Doctoral Scientists, Research Associates, and Research Assistants.

(d) Provide advice and recommendations on appropriate procedures and policies for the operation of CIMMS.

(e) Periodically review the accomplishments and progress of the technical and scientific programs and projects of the CIMMS, and provide advice to the Director regarding the CIMMS formal research themes.

6. The Assembly of Fellows

The Assembly of Fellows will meet at least twice per year. The responsibilities of the Fellows include:

a. Promotion of cooperation and scientific collaboration among all Institutions, Departments, and individuals participating in CIMMS.

b. Active participation in appropriate CIMMS projects and programs.

c. Development, and submission through CIMMS, of appropriate proposals to NOAA and other external funding agencies that will both contribute to the research themes of CIMMS and foster growth and adequate infrastructure for the Institute.

d. Acceptance, when appropriate, of appointments as Resident Fellows at CIMMS.

e. Participation (at least annually) in reviews of CIMMS activities, and provision of thoughtful inputs for the Institute's Annual Report.

B. Policies

1. General Policies of the CIMMS

a. All Fellows, Visiting Fellows, Research Scientists, Research Associates, Scientific Programmers, Research Assistants, and staff, as well as visitors, shall have free access to all CIMMS facilities.

b. In order to promote a sense of unity in the CIMMS, the University extends the amenities of the campus to all staff of the CIMMS.

c. Scientific appointments in the CIMMS will be based on academic and research qualifications. Selections are not restricted to U.S. Citizens. All term appointments are renewable. All appointments may be terminated by the appointing authorities for cause (as defined by the policies of the appointing institution), or because of termination or contraction of the relevant CIMMS program.

2. Academic Policies

a. If it is appropriate, the University may appoint CIMMS Fellows from NOAA to adjunct faculty positions in departments appropriate to their formal training and experience (e.g., Meteorology, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics). The rank and position will be determined by the University in accordance with its usual policies and procedures, but it is agreed that such appointments are always without pay or tenure. Staff members so designated may offer courses, conduct seminars, supervise theses and dissertations, and otherwise participate in academic affairs, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Department concerned. These appointments will constitute a recognized and valuable official activity for the NOAA employees so appointed.

b. University faculty, ERL, and NWS staff members associated with the CIMMS should recognize that the academic functions of teaching and graduate student research supervision are essential elements of CIMMS positions, inseparable from obtaining research grants, performing research, and participating in professional activities.