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1993-2002. Focusing Our Unique CapabilitiesAdministrationA significant change in the administration and management of CIRES developed when Howard Hanson resigned as executive associate director in November 1997 to take a position at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Hanson had combined an active research program as a senior research associate with the ever-increasing demands on the chief operating officer of the Institute. A decision was reached to change the scope and title of the position to that of executive director of the Institute, with primary duties in administration and management. As the result of a national search that attracted a number of excellent candidates, Paul Sperry was selected and took office in May 1998. Sperry came to CIRES from the National Center for Atmospheric Research, where he had been the Associate Director for Atmospheric Chemistry. Under the new management arrangement, the principal responsibilities of the position include the supervision of the accounting office, the computing facility, and the instrument development facility, as well as myriad tasks assigned by the Director. Organization and Governance. As an organic entity, CIRES has inevitably evolved since its creation, as it has adapted to changes in size, research interests of its personnel and those identified by the nation, availability of resources, and a variety of external influences. The appointment of a new director afforded an opportunity for a re-examination of issues that had confronted the Institute from its beginning. Among these issues were the directions of future research, the Institute's growth, the size of the Council of Fellows, and the appropriate role in governance of the many research associates and professional research assistants who had become an essential part of the scientific vitality and quality of the Institute. These issues were addressed by the adoption of revised bylaws and the development of revisions to the strategic plan. The bylaws adopted in January 1997 (appendix three) define the following categories of appointments within CIRES: fellows, members (redefined from the original concept), affiliates, research associates and senior research associates, visiting fellows, research assistants (includes graduate R.A.s and professional R.A.s), students, and staff. Perhaps the most significant change was the definition of "member" as a CIRES employee in a career-track position (broadly, a researcher) other than fellow. Career track guidelines were established and formal promotion procedures were implemented. The intention and hope were that the University would adopt the CIRES model for a university-wide career track for nontenure track personnel. In order to gain additional employee input to the governance and policy formation of CIRES, a Members' Council, parallel to the Council of Fellows, was subsequently created. In addition, two representatives selected by the members attend meetings of the Council of Fellows and the Executive Committee. These bylaws also limit the number of fellows (exclusive of emeritus fellows) to 15 percent of the total number of career employees of the Institute. The new category of affiliate was defined to recognize individuals collaborating in CIRES research projects who have no formal connection with the Institute (typically faculty members from University departments or scientists from ERL laboratories). In order to enhance internal and external communications, the staff positions for a CIRES webmaster and science writer were established in 2001. Next > Research Activities
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