Advisory Committees

Appointments Committee:

The Appointments Committee is an internal committee whose membership is all the HAO Senior Scientists. The HAO Administrator and the Director's Assistant are attendees.

The Appointments Committee advises the Director on appointments and promotions. This committee also has oversight of performance appraisal planning and the outcomes of the annual performance appraisal process to help ensure equity in staff evaluations and compensation rates.

The Appointments Committee is chaired by an HAO Senior Scientist.

Computer Advisory Group (CAG):

The CAG works cooperatively with the Computer System Management Team to foster communication within HAO on technology needs, more efficiently allocate computing resources across the lab, and provide technology policy recommendations where appropriate to the Director. Generally meets the first Monday of the month.

Director's Representative Advisory Committee (DRAC):

The Director's Representative Advisory Committee is an internal committee whose membership is drawn from both scientific and non-scientific staff of the Observatory. Members of the Executive Group (Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director for Instrumentation, and Administrator) are ex officio members.

The DRAC advises the Director on issues related to the day-to-day life of the Observatory. This committee also advises on long-term and strategic planning matters that do not fall wholly within the remit of the Science Advisory Committee.

The DRAC is chaired by the HAO Deputy Director.

Any HAO staff member or student may attend meetings of the DRAC. The extent to which they may participate in the discussions is a matter for the Chair.

HAO Instrumentation Advisory Committee (HIAC):

This internal committee sets the priorities of the HAO Instrumentation Program and provides oversight to the Instrumentation Group. The HIAC is advisory to the HAO Director.

Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC):

The Scientific Advisory Committee is an internal committee whose membership is drawn from the scientific staff of the Observatory. The Director's Assistant is an attendee.

The SAC advises the Director on scientific strategic and long-term planning issues. This committee may also be called upon to advise on or assist with more immediate matters —for example, nominations for organizational awards— insofar as these relate to science rather than more general running of the Observatory.

The SAC is chaired by the HAO Director.

Any HAO Scientist, Project Scientist or Associate Scientist may attend meetings of the SAC. The extent to which they may participate in the discussions is a matter for the Chair.

Visitor Committee:

This internal committee provides oversight to the HAO Visitor Program that strives to enhance scientific and educational contacts between HAO and the national and international solar and solar-terrestrial communities. The program provides financial support for undergraduate and graduate students, post-graduate researchers, and senior visitors.