Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology

Charter of the M.R.U.

Mission Statement:

To promote greater understanding of the origin and structure of the universe, and the basic interactions which govern it, through experimental, observational and theoretical research.

Objectives:

To promote basic research in experimental cosmology and astrophysics, and nuclear and particle physics, particularly in their areas of intersection.
To facilitate collaborative efforts in these fields among personnel of the University of California campuses and laboratories.
To assist researchers of the University of California in effectively participating in ongoing and future collaborative prog$at major national or international research facilities.
To expand the availability of the resources, technical expertise and infrastructure of the two Defense Program laboratories to the University of California, and to expedite the full incorporation of these laboratories into the national programs of basic research.
To improve the competitiveness of research initiatives from the University of California in seeking funding from federal agencies.
To attract major new research facilities to the University of California system, and protect the support of existing facilities.
To contribute to graduate education utilizing available resources and facilities in cooperation with other units in the University of California system.
To broaden public awareness of the importance of basic research in this area, its discoveries and accomplishments, giving particular attention to potential future teachers.

Preamble:

The MRU covered by this charter represents an evolution of the existing MRU, the Intercampus Institute for Research at Particle Accelerators (IIRPA), founded by UCSD, UCSB and UCD and approved by the Regents in 1977. The IIRPA had as its initial theme the TPC/Two-Gamma experiment at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and helped the University of California maintain a strong profile in the experiment by which the IIRPA member institutions collaborated in the construction and operation of a major detector system.
The reconstituted MRU, called the Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology (INPAC), focuses on nuclear and particle physics, and astrophysics and cosmology. These disciplines have become increasingly confluent in their objectives and methodology, particularly as they pertain to our understanding of the early universe. The redirection of this MRU is timely and appropriate as the research interests of many scientists in traditional accelerator-based research have moved towards this new interdisciplinary area.
Definition of Research Area:: The general area of research of the Institute is nuclear and particle physics, and astrophysics and cosmology. There are three factors which render an activity especially appropriate for this Institute:; (i) The significance of the research on the major issues of the origin and structure of the universe.; (ii) The interdisciplinary nature of the research.; (iii) Novel R&D in instrumentation.
The following areas of research are illustrative of what the INPAC could encompass:: Neutrino physics: Long and short baseline searches for neutrino oscillations; solar neutrino flux; neutrino astronomy of supernovae; double beta-decay.; Gravitation: Searches for non-Newtonian gravity; gravitational radiation.; Structure formation: Cosmic microwave background; large scale surveys; Hubble constant.; Cosmic Ray Physics: UHE gammas, protons, heavy nuclei; nucleosynthesis.; Dark Matter: MACHOs, WIMPs, axions, neutrinos, monopoles.; Baryogenesis: CP-violation; tests of CPT; proton decay.; Instrumentation: Cryogenic detectors; specialized TPCs; quantum-limited microwave amplifiers; large volume Cerenkov detectors.
Organization and Operation:: The Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology is a Multicampus Research Unit, open to all campuses of the University of California, and the three DOE laboratories managed and operated by the University, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Overall management and operation is regulated by Regental policy for MRUs, as specified in the Attachment 1 ("Administrative Policies and Procedures Concerning Organized Research Units") approved by UC President David Saxon and transmitted to the Chancellors, March 8, 1982. It is to be understood that the terminology 'Laboratory'; and 'Laboratory Director' shall stand in place of the terminology 'Campus' and 'Chancellor' in discussing the branches of the MRU at LANL, LLNL or LBL.
The INPAC Director: The procedure for the appointment of the Institute Director is prescribed by the Administrative Policies and Procedures, Sec. 9. The role of the Director is ultimately to ensure that the Institute fulfills its mission as described in this charter. The Director will be the principal point of contact with the UC Office of the President. With the Council, he is responsible for the important roles of coordination of research efforts, exchange of information, and disbursement of funds. The Director is expected to play a strong and visible role in assisting research initiatives seeking funding from external agencies, particularly those for major new research facilities within the University of California.
Branches of the Institute: Branches of the Institute may be established from among the participating campuses or laboratories by a formal proposal, submitted by the INPAC Director and Chancellor or Director of the campus or laboratory respectively, and approved by the University. At the simplest level, the branch will assist individual researchers to get together, and facilitate collaboration among them. Furthermore, it will provide a vehicle for researchers from other campuses or laboratories to interact with the researchers of that branch and make use of the facilities that the branch may possess. It will assist in writing proposals to obtain external funding for such cooperative projects. Another major function of the branch will be in assisting groups of university or laboratory scholars in common activities of a particular field within the purview of the INPAC. The branch will enable larger-scale joint programs among several INPAC participating institutions to be set up. Such programs would have a program director and would largely be supported by external funds.
Associate Directors: Associate Directors of the Institute will be appointed for each branch, in accordance with the Administrative Policies and Procedures, Sec. 4(1) and 9.
Organizational Structure: The Director will be aided by an Institute Council, made up of the Associate Directors from each branch. They will assist the Director in the actual operation of the Institute, particularly in the areas of programs conducted by the Institute (e.g. conferences or workshops), and all matters concerning the expenditure of funds (e.g. mini-grant programs, travel grants, seed money). The Council should meet at least twice per year to conduct formal business, but normally will handle routine affairs by mail. Note that the Institute Council is distinct from the standing Advisory Committee stipulated in the Administrative Policies and Procedures, Sec. 5. Whereas the Institute Council concerns itself with all issues of routine functioning of the Institute, the Advisory Committee's role is principally one of oversight, evaluating long-term goals and giving periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the MRU. They may also participate actively in the planning and evaluation of the unit's programs and activities. The Director and Institute Council for the INPAC will establish a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) which will serve two important functions. One role will be to administer mini-grant programs for awarding seed monies for new initiatives, award fellowships, etc., funded through University support. The other role for the PAC will be to provide rigorous peer review and constructive criticism for proposals intended for submission to federal funding agencies. A detailed written summary by the PAC should always be provided for inclusion with the proposal. Proposals having been approved by the PAC may then carry the name of the Institute upon submission to the funding agency or agencies.
Membership: Any professional researcher will become a member of the Institute upon being accepted as a member of a branch according to their local procedures.
Reviews: The MRU will be reviewed at intervals of five years or less in accordance with the Administrative Policies and Procedures, Sec. 10-12.
Reports: A report shall be issued to the President of the University every year, in accord with the Administrative Policies and Procedures, Sec. 13. In addition to the report items stipulated in Sec. 13, the report should provide data indicating the role the Institute has played in leveraging support from federal agencies. That of the Department of Energy is particularly important in light of the special relationship between the University of California and the DOE through the laboratories.