Minutes of the March 9 2002 Meeting of the 
	Fermilab Users' Executive Committee (UEC)

Attendees:
  John Conway(conway@fnal.gov)
  Robin Erbacher(robine@fnal.gov)
  Joey Huston(huston@pa.msu.edu)
  Sally Koutsoliotas(koutslts@bucknell.edu)
  Larry Nodulman(ljn@fnal.gov)
  Rob Plunkett(plunk@fnal.gov)
  Rick St. Denis(stdenis@fnal.gov)
  Benn Tannenbaum(benn@physics.ucla.edu)
  Wendy Taylor{wendyt@fnal.gov)
  Sherry Towers(smjt@fnal.go)
  Chris White(cwhite@fnal.gov)
  Nate Goldschmidt (GSA)
  Freya Blekman(GSA)

Absent: 
  Roger Rusack(rusack@hep.umn.edu)
  Gordon Watts(gwatts@fnal.gov)
  Mike Kirby (GSA)
  Heather Ray (GSA)
  Michel Sorel (GSA)

Guests
  Andreas Kronfeld, Dave Gerdes


Benn called the meeting to order at 10 AM. After a brief introduction we broke
up into subcommittee meetings, rejoining at 11:35.

Observations  (Rob)

Rob discussed the issue of the basic funding model, which has become essentially
project based, with projects becoming managed line items and university funding
coming through MOUs.  The P5 committee could be carrying the trend to a logical
conclusion.  This is not a new trend, and Benn found the 98 HEPAP subpanel 
report on the topic, and that an 88 subpanel considered similar issues.  There
are clearly issues of creativity, new ideas, and detector development as the
field consolidates to fewer and fewer projects.  NSF and DOE funding have 
differing aspects on these issues.  Rick pointed out that half the UK funding 
comes from  non HEP sources such as fuel, medical and technology grants, but
that some things, like the grid, may start out looking helpful and end up a
problem. UK Atlas funding works similar to the US.


Report on discussion with Mike Witherell    (Larry)

DC trip issues:

While the 03 budget is tight and loses to inflation, it is not surprising given
the circumstances.  While it seems unlikely that we could convince  
Congress to improve on the budget request, it will be important to stress
the importance of our work so that Office of Science funding is not used as a 
source of Congressional relief for water projects, reduced in the President's 
request, which are packaged with us in the funding process. 
In general for our Congressional visits, it is important to convey our 
excitement and hopes for the future.  We should make our concerns as users known.

Roy Orbach is now in place as head of the DOE Office of Science and that will
help the 04 budget process with feedback both from the field to the 
administration and the other way around. 

Marburger is working well with OMB.  He has made speeches other than the one
that got our attention which are more supportive of HEP and include the comment
that we are going to be involved in a linear collider.  As a member of the 
administration he will of course defend the 03 budget. His comments on planning
and priorities are a direct response to OMB criticism of HEP.

One interesting note is that the 03 budget is the last mandated NIH doubling
year, so that funding balance issues should be actively considered for 04.

Some of the more knowledgeable Science Committee aides will be aware of
LHC funding problems and perhaps Tevatron luminosity problems. On the LHC, it
is important to point out that the cost problem is not a threat to the project,
and will not be a shock to the US HEP program. The schedule may slip but the
exciting prospects are still there.  For the Tevatron, there is a lot of 
attention and priority, but no request for funding to fix it.

Local issues:

Enormous attention is going into Tevatron luminosity, which is clearly
demoralizing.  Understanding of the problems is increasing. Mont is recruiting
help, mostly from other areas in Fermilab and is getting good response. He
is well connected to beams and technical divisions.  He will be replacing
Mike Shaevitz in the lab Directorate at the end of the summer.

On security, bicycling and walking onto the site are now OK.  Building entry
requires a badge.  In April, the new proximity card reader equipment for
building access will come in, the idea being to replace the function of having 
to wear badges.  Nothing has changed at the SECON security level.

Robin joined the discussion which turned to Users Meeting issues; she will 
report.


Linear Collider issues re: Washington trip   Andreas Kronfeld and Dave Gerdes

There will be a meeting on LC detector R&D on April 5.  The LC spending cap
is in the 03 budget; the 03 budget does not reflect the reevaluation of 
priorities of the HEPAP subpanel (B&B) report which was adopted to late to
be part of 03 budget planning.  The cap is unfortunate for LC.  
The primary audience for the subpanel report is the DC community, secondary
audience is other scientists.  The HEP community should use the B&B report as
a resource for explaining the case for the LC.  The report pushes LC, pushes 
the international side of it, and is careful to list in order: 1) Do it, and 
2) Bid to have it in the US.

The LHC may have  problems, but they will be dealt with and our end is OK.
For LC, the international partners are there, Snowmass had record attendance
and reflected a lot of enthusiasm. We should emphasize the physics, discover
potential, and the future.  Dave and Andreas will put together a brief summary
of talking points for us.
 
Committee reports:

Washington Trip (Joey)

The list from Burke & co. needs a lot of work. They designated essential contacts
and those are being assigned.  UEC and GSA should get their (initial?) 
assignments in e-mail Monday.  So far we have not obtained the summary from last
year.  We are coordinating with SLAC.

Users Meeting (Robin)

Peter Rosen has confirmed to talk. For NSF not doing so well.  Fred Bernthal 
will present the thesis award.  Other VIPs are being invited.  The subcommittee
is working on the schedule and trying to come up with a theorist.  John will
do poster and program design, Chris is to check on streaming video, Rob and
Sally have assignments.  Tita is doing the dinner.  We are considering an 
open mike session.

Quality of Life (Wendy)

Getting organized to set up a meeting with Bruce Chrisman on taxi issues,
hitchhiker signs, path to D0.  On library cards, may just recommend buying in
for ~$150. Will attempt to come up with a list of health care services 
available and get say the housing office to maintain it.

Inreach (Rick)

Another evening at the Users Center will be arranged, like last year, tentatively
May 29.  Outsiders will be brought to describe their experiences. 
The subcommittee will meet April 3rd for lunch.

Outreach (Sally)

The Museum of Science and Industry has a room sized gallery for a "whiz bang"
exhibit.  Chris reported that so far things are going well, and if the idea
is accepted, the MSI will work with IIT on an NSF proposal. The MSI likes 
tie ins, discussions are on-going, there is enthusiasm so far.

Since docent tours have resumed, perhaps UEC could do tours?  The "ask a
scientist" program, real and virtual, is resuming and looking for volunteers,
contact Peter Garbincius.


Next UEC meeting will be April 13. The following meeting will in DC April 24,
then tentatively May 11.