-
(Adopted October 19, 2004; Rev. 0)
A. Organization
The Western Nuclear Science Alliance (WNSA) is a consortium of western universities with nuclear programs and/or research reactors, national laboratories, and industrial organizations. It was created under a DOE-NE Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education (INIE) grant in September 2002. Oregon State University is the lead institution.
B. Membership
Beyond the initial member organizations new members may be added to WNSA with the approval of the WNSA Management Council.
C. Objectives
Objectives of WNSA are to:
1. Enhance the capabilities and availability of the nuclear infrastructure, especially the research reactors, at member universities
2. Develop new research programs that use the facilities of university members to assist these research programs in obtaining preliminary data as a means toward future research contracts that will, in turn, support the university facilities
3. Develop and maintain expanded nuclear-related educational programs in member universities
4. Develop and maintain expanded relationships between WNSA universities and national laboratories and industrial members
5. Deliver outreach programs in nuclear-related fields to attract more and better students into WNSA university programs, national laboratories, and industry
6. Sponsor underrepresented students in nuclear-related university programs
D. Programs
WNSA programs fall into the categories of infrastructure development, research, education, and outreach.
E. Management Council
1. General Scope of Responsibility
WNSA shall be directed by the WNSA Management Council. The general scope of responsibility of the Management Council shall be to provide management and decision-making capabilities for the WNSA, to coordinate all activities of the WNSA, including the preparation of the annual report and renewal proposals, and to provide vision for expansion of programs under WNSA.
Additional organizational members may be admitted to the WNSA at the discretion of the Management Council in consultation with the Advisory Committee.
2. Membership
The Management Council membership shall be composed of six members, including the Chair, with an equal number from Oregon State University (OSU) and University of California Davis (UCD). The Management Council shall be chaired by the OSU WNSA Principal Investigator. Replacement of Management Council members shall be at the discretion of the Management Council membership. Members may serve consecutive terms.
All members shall have equal voting rights and responsibilities. In situations where a member has a conflict of interest, that individual shall abstain from voting on the issue.
3. Meeting Frequency and Quorum
A quorum shall consist of four members. Any action taken by a quorum of the Management Council has the same authority as action taken by the full Council.
The Management Council shall meet at least annually, but at intervals not exceeding fifteen months.
4. Use of Subcommittees
The Chair, at his or her discretion, may appoint subcommittees to evaluate specific items. A subcommittee shall consist of one to three Management Council members.
The Management Council may delegate authority to a subcommittee to take action on a specific issue. When such authority is given, the actions taken by a Management Council subcommittee, after approval by the Management Council Chair, have the same authority as actions taken by the full Management Council. Any such actions taken by an Management Council subcommittee will be reviewed by the full Management Council at the next regular meeting.
5. Minutes of Management Council Meetings
The Management Council Chair shall be responsible for maintaining the official file of minutes of all Management Council meetings.
F. Advisory Committee
1. General Scope of Responsibility
The Advisory Committee’s purpose shall be to provide advice and expert opinion on WNSA matters to the WNSA Management Council.
The Advisory Committee is authorized to report separately and directly to USDOE about the significance and performance of the WNSA.
2. Membership
Each national laboratory and industry WNSA partner shall have one member on the WNSA Advisory Committee. All members shall have equal voting rights and responsibilities. In situations where a member has a conflict of interest, that individual shall abstain from voting on the issue. Management Council members and other university personnel are ex-officio, non-voting members of the Advisory Committee.
The Chair of the Advisory Committee shall be selected annually by the Advisory Committee members.
3. Meeting Frequency and Reporting
The Advisory Committee shall meet at least annually, but at intervals not exceeding fifteen months. A written report shall be submitted to the Management Council within 30 working days.
4. Use of Subcommittees
The Chair, at his or her discretion, may appoint subcommittees to evaluate specific items. A subcommittee shall consist of one to three Advisory Committee members.
The Advisory Committee may delegate authority to a subcommittee to take action on a specific issue. When such authority is given, the actions taken by an Advisory Committee subcommittee, after approval by the Advisory Committee Chair, have the same authority as actions taken by the full Advisory Committee. Any such actions taken by an Advisory Committee subcommittee will be reviewed by the full Advisory Committee at the next regular meeting.
5. Minutes of Advisory Committee Meetings
The Advisory Committee Chair shall be responsible for issuing the official minutes of all Advisory Committee meetings with administrative support from OSU.
