Section A – AURA Organization, Structure, and General Policies

I. AURA ORGANIZATION
A. Mission
B. Role and Responsibilities of the Member Representatives
C. Role and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
D. Role and Responsibilities of the Management Councils

II. ROLE, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PRESIDENT OF AURA
A. Role
B. Specific Functions
C. Administrative Reporting

III. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CENTER DIRECTORS
National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) Director
A. Organizational Purpose of NOAO
B. NOAO Director’s Role
C. Specific Responsibilities

National Solar Observatory (NSO) Director
A. Organizational Purpose of NSO
B. NSO Director’s Role
C. Specific Responsibilities

Gemini Observatory Director
A. Organizational Purpose of the Gemini Observatory
B. Gemini Director’s Role
C. Specific Responsibilities
D. Additional Responsibilities of the Gemini Director

Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) Director
A. Organizational Purpose of STScI
B. STScI Director’s Role
C. Specific Responsibilities

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) Director
A. Organizational Purpose of the LSST Project
B. LSST Director’s Role
C. Specific Responsibilities

IV. VISITING COMMITTEES (VC)
STScI – Space Telescope Science Institute
A. Policy
B. Scope and Background
C. Policies and Guidelines
D. Functions of the Institute Visiting Committees
E. STScI Visits
F. Visiting Committee Reports to AURA

NOAO – National Optical Astronomy Observatory
A. Policy
B. Scope and Background
C. Policies and Guidelines
D. Functions of the Visiting Committees
E. Observatory Visits
F. Visiting Committee Reports to AURA

NSO – National Solar Observatory
A. Policy
B. Scope and Background
C. Policies and Guidelines
D. Functions of the Visiting Committees
E. Observatory Visits
F. Visiting Committee Reports to AURA

V. EVALUATION OF THE AURA PRESIDENT AND CENTER DIRECTORS
A. Policy
B. Review Procedures

VI. CLOSURE OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A. Policy
B. Review Procedures

VII. BUSINESS ETHICS
A. Policy
B. Implementation

VIII. WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY
A. Policy
B. Procedure

IX. AURA POLICY GOVERNING CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A. Preamble
B. Purpose
C. Policy
D. Employee Disclosure
E. Reporting of Non-Compliance
F. Resolution of Conflicts
G. Sanctions for Non-Compliance

X. RECORDS RETENTION
A. Policy

XI. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY
A. Introduction and Background
B. Policy Goals and Objectives
C. Administration
D. General Policy Provisions – AURA and Employees
E. Distribution of Revenue
Appendix A – Inventions and Proprietary Information Agreement
….Inventions and Proprietary Information Agreement Form

XII. AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION
A. Policy
B. Procedures
C. Procedures for Activities Governed by National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)
….Contractual Agreements

XIII. BUSINESS INSURANCE
A. Policy
B. Procedures

XIV. EXPORT CONTROL
A. Policy

XV. CLASSIFIED RESEARCH
A. Preamble
B. Research Policy

XVI. LIABILITY DISCLAIMER REGARDING USERS’ PROPERTY
A. Policy

XVII. GUIDELINES FOR INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS
A. Policy

XVIII. A CHARTER FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF AURA’S OBSERVATORY IN CHILE
A. Overview
….Charter

XIX. AURA POLICY GOVERNING RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
A. Introduction
B. Guidelines for Professional Conduct
C. Training
D. Research Misconduct