Users Executive Committee Activity Report

1. Users Executive CommitteeActivity Report Benn Tannenbaum http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/fermilab_users_org/

2. What is the UEC? The Users Executive Committee is a 12 member elected committee of Fermilab Users, each serving two year terms (six new members are elected each year) We are the liaison between the lab directorate and the user population Issues include Education and Outreach Inreach Quality of life Users Meeting Washington Trip Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

3. UEC Membership Chair: Benn Tannenbaum (UCLA) John Conway (Rutgers U.) Robin Erbacher (FNAL) Joey Huston (Michigan S.U.) Sally Koutsoliotas (Bucknell) Larry Nodulman (ANL) Rob Plunkett (FNAL) GSA Representatives : Freya Blekman (Amsterdam) Nate Goldschmidt (Michigan) Mike Kirby (Duke) Roger Rusack (Minnesota) Rick St.Denis (Glasgow) Wendy Taylor (Stony Brook) Sherry Towers (Stony Brook) Gordon Watts (U. Wash.) Chris White (I.I.T.) Heather Ray (Michigan) Michel Sorel (Columbia) Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

4. Education and Outreach This year our outreach program was limited by the increased security after the events of 9/11 No UEC-led tours of the experimental areas Ask-a-Scientist resurrected on January 19th Tours for Saturday Morning Physics continued and tours by docents (by appointment) restarted in February Virtual Ask-a-Scientist debuted February 2nd; had programs in February, March and June Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

5. Education and Outreach Public Relations and Awareness Since the people couldn’t come to us, we decided to see if we could go to them Exploring the concept of a FNAL display at a local shopping mall/store front. Ongoing discussion with the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for a major display. Studying possibility of an exhibit at O’Hare One of us (C. White) will attend a conference on “Exhibiting Science in Museums” in mid June Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

6. Younger Physicists / Inreach Career Night – May 29 Two new assistant professors detailed what one must do as a graduate student and a postdoc to get a faculty job A former DØ student/BaBar postdoc described life at Lucent and how to get a job in industry A former CDF student/postdoc described life in medical physics & his return to the Tevatron A current CDF postdoc discussed the possibility of a career in public policy, as well as the need for political activism among physicists We also provided the AIP statistics on what kind of jobs physicists get, pay, etc We had an excellent turnout: over 70 people! Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

7. Quality of Life We surveyed the Users to learn their concerns about working and/or living here at Fermilab • Transportation and taxi hours were big issues. Pathway on Eola Rd. out to DØ greatly needed. • Many people were unhappy with the state of the trailers (age, cleanliness, noise, air circulation). • Other than a couple of issues, people were generally ambivalent on most items, so they are pretty happy! We also surveyed the users of the FNAL daycare • People are generally happy with daycare, although some concern over springtime nesting geese. Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

8. Quality of Life Present PACE vanpool program has ~20 participants Dorm renovations ongoing (thanks!) Improved cleanliness due to new janitorial contract Future Request a pathway along Eola Rd.out to Dzero Request a modification in taxi hours/service Request ‘share a ride’ stands around site Notice with health care options & clinics for visitors Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

9. Lab Security There is still much confusion about security and badges Who is allowed onsite, under what circumstances… Can walk or bike on site Can bring the family to see the buffalo Can come to events at the hirise (films, lectures, art exhibts, etc.) Visitors to the lab must enter the Pine St. gate When must badges be worn New card readers being installed at CDF, DØ, MCR to alleviate need for constant badge-wearing Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

10. Meetings with Users Preliminary version of HEPAP sub panel report to HEPAP/DOE presented by Bagger at FNAL in November • UEC served as moderator for town meeting style Q&A session that followed • UEC solicited and received comments from User community regarding the report– passed comments directly on to sub panel with no commentary Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

11. Washington Visit The joint Fermilab/SLAC DC trip was 23-24 April • Took 13 UEC members, 5 FNAL graduate students • Joined by 6 SLUO folks (1 faculty, 1 postdoc, 4 students) • Met with ~70 Congressional & committee offices • Also met with OMB, OSTP and DOE officials This year we emphasized international collaboration and cooperation Also raised awareness of NSF funding issues Overall: successful, but depressing, trip Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

12. DC Trip: Visas for scientists Met with Peter Zimmerman, Staff Scientist for the Senate Foreign Relations committee Mentioned problems with visas for visiting scientists He asked us to demonstrate a need for a change in the visa program, and then to write new legislation So…. With the help of J. Jackson’s office, we quickly assembled a survey & advertised it Received over 600 responses from FNAL, ANL, SLAC, BNL and JLab Wrote paper detailing results & sent to DC Short term goals: modify interpretation of B1 & J1 visas to better suit collaborative science Long term goals: new visa class? Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report

13. It’s time to retire… Six members of the UEC will rotate off once the Users Meeting concludes If you want to serve, see one of us for a nomination form Benn Tannenbaum/UEC Report