Governance
Center for Institutional Research Computing (CIRC)
Washington State University
Article I: Center Mission and Vision
The Center for Institutional Research Computing (CIRC) supports WSU’s mission to advance, extend, and apply knowledge through its commitment to the land-grant heritage and tradition of service to society. CIRC develops and supports research computing infrastructure (hardware, software, and human capital) to advance cutting-edge computation-based research at WSU, with the goal of expanding the research enterprise and facilitating growth in computational expertise across the WSU research community. CIRC supports diversification of computing resources used by researchers, broadening participation in non-traditional disciplines, and facilitating new partnerships. CIRC broadens participation in the research endeavor among stakeholders at WSU as well as partner institutions in the Pacific Northwest.
Article II: Center Purpose
The purpose of the Center for Institutional Research Computing (CIRC) is to provide high-performance computing (HPC) resources and expertise to advance computational and data-intensive research across the WSU system. CIRC’s mandate is to create and administer a state-of-the-art HPC cluster facility and to provide responsive user support and guidance in its effective use, in order to best meet the increasing needs of research computing at WSU. CIRC will assist and advise faculty, post-docs, and students about technical details for optimizing HPC resources used both locally and at other computational leadership facilities. To ensure the broadest impact on the research community, the HPC resources are available for use in research by all faculty, students, and staff at any of WSU’s campuses, at no cost.
Article III: Organization and Membership
The personnel responsible for the administration and operation of CIRC consist of a faculty Director, a staff Deputy Director, an administrative services manager, computational scientists, and HPC system administrators. The Director reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships. The Deputy Director is a direct report to the Director. A faculty advisory committee is essential to guide and maximize the Center’s contributions to the research enterprise in a dynamic environment and is key to ensuring that the HPC resources and services align with research computing needs.
Article IV: Officers
Duties of Officers
Director.
The roles and responsibilities of the Director are as follows.
* Provide strategic planning and implement the goals laid out in the strategic plan developed by the CIRC Advisory Committee.
* Provide oversight of CIRC operations.
* Direct funding acquisition and administration for CIRC operations.
* Provide oversight of the faculty governance which guides CIRC.
* Direct outreach programs of CIRC.
* Represent CIRC in administrative meetings with the Office of Research, Information Technology Services, and WSU leadership, including providing data-driven recommendations on long-term planning for institutional research computing at WSU.
Deputy Director.
The roles and responsibilities of the Deputy Director are as follows.
* Direct and oversee operations of the Center including the administrative functions of fiscal management, human resource functions, and organizational planning, as well as the operational management of resources, staff, and services.
* Oversee the development and implementation of short- and long-range organizational goals and tactical plans, including plans and budgets for facilities, equipment, research computing infrastructure, and personnel, as well as the development and implementation of operational policies and procedures.
* Manage the day-to-day operations of the program’s activities and staff, and is accountable for the procurement and allocation of resources and program results.
* Represent the Center to internal and external constituents.
* Has the authority to make commitments that affect the Center’s operations.
Qualifications and Selection
Qualifications. The Director should be a tenured faculty member at the rank of Associate Professor or higher. The Deputy Director will be an Administrative Professional staff member that reports to the Director.
Term limit. The term of appointment for the Director is 3 years, and is renewable. The Deputy Director is a permanent position.
Selection. When a new Director is to be appointed to the Center, an advisory search subcommittee consisting of the existing Director, a Center staff representative, and two other Advisory Committee members will be formed for the purpose of evaluating suitable candidates. At the end of the evaluation process of candidates, two suitable candidates will be put forward to the Office of Research VPR/AVC for selection and subsequent appointment.
The Deputy Director appointment will follow applicable WSU hiring and human resources procedures for Administrative Professional employees.
Article V: Committees
Advisory Committee
A standing Advisory Committee provides continuous faculty guidance and oversight on important strategic decisions relating to CIRC policy and investment directions.
The role of the Advisory Committee is to represent faculty and department interests in the development and approval of the Center’s strategic plan as well as policies and procedures that affect investment in and use of its resources by the WSU research computing community.
The members of the CIRC Advisory Committee will be chosen by the leaders of the administrative units with a significant stake in WSU’s research computing environment. Each college or urban campus is entitled to two members, one to represent the research community of the college and one to represent its IT capabilities. Members will typically serve for two years.
Sustainability Committee
A standing Sustainability Committee shall consider policies relating to infrastructure support and maintenance. It provides advice to the Deputy Director relating to equipment retirement and supporting investments in auxiliary resources.
Article VI: Operation
The operational objectives for fulfilling the Center’s mission and purpose are as follows.
Research Computing Infrastructure
Ensure a robust and sustainable research computing infrastructure that consists of hardware, software, and technical staff that enhances productivity and creates computational literacy for all researchers at WSU. Continuously incorporate the latest advances in HPC technology to provide state-of-the-art resources that can best meet the increasing needs of research computing at WSU.
The implementation of the HPC infrastructure leverages support from Information Technology Services (ITS) Data Center Operations (DCO) in the form of data center facility space, cooling, and power, and tech support staff for the installation, maintenance, and implementation of the HPC infrastructure.
User Support Services
Provide responsive user support through a well-trained staff that assists and guides users in the effective use of HPC resources and application development and deployment.
Outreach and Engagement
Support the growth and advancement of research computing throughout the WSU system through outreach programs that foster computational literacy, increase participation, and facilitate new partnerships.
Article VII: Handling of Funds
The Center is funded through the Office of Research. The decision-making in the budgeting, procurement, and allocation of funds is a joint venture of the Director and Deputy Director, with the Administrative Services Manager performing purchases and accounting through Workday.
Article VIII: Amendments
This governing document may be amended from time to time with the agreement of the Advisory Committee.
Article IX: Reporting and Reviews
The goals and performance of the Center will be reported to and reviewed annually by the Office of Research. 5-Year reviews will be completed with participation from HPC investors.