HomeFinding Aids to the CollectionsFinding Aid to the Records of Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), 1957-

Finding Aid to the Records of Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), 1957-

140 Foot Dedication                             

Contents:

Note to researchers: Processing of records of Associated Universities, Inc. is ongoing, as we continually add further material. Interested researchers should contact the Archives about access to both unprocessed and processed material.

Location of collection: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Archives, 520 Edgemont Rd., Charlottesville, VA. Phone: 1-434-296-0203, email: archivist at nrao.edu

Title and dates of the collection: Records of Associated Universities, Inc., 1957-.

Size of the collection: 15 linear feet

Short description of collection: The records of the Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) will eventually document the institutional history of the corporation, including its participation in a range of projects. At present time, the bulk of the collection comprises project proposals and records from the tenure of Ethan Schreier as president of AUI (2004-2017)and NRAO Visiting Committee reports from 1957-2004. There are also some strategic plans and AUI promotional publications.

Materials in this collection include proposals, presentations, contracts, reports, publications and correspondence.

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Selected search terms:

  • Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI)
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
  • Virtual Astronomy Observatory (VAO)
  • Square Kilometer Array (SKA)
  • Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope (CCAT)

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Administrative history: AUI was founded in 1946 as an independent, not-for-profit corporation to “acquire, plan, construct and operate laboratories and other facilities for research, development and education in the physical, biological and social sciences.” Since then, AUI has secured federal funding to build and manage large, complex research facilities including the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Green Bank Observatory (GBO). AUI has also participated in consortia that advanced the development of the Virtual Astronomy Observatory (VAO), the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope (CCAT) and other projects.

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Accession history: Visiting Committee material was regularly transferred from the NRAO Director's Office beginning in 2005. Additional material was transferred to the Archives by AUI in fall 2018. Material about ALMA was received from Patrick W. Donahoe in June 2015 and August 2018 and was restricted through May 2020.

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Access to collection: No restrictions. The Archives are open part-time; contact the Archivist for appointment.

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Restrictions on use of collection: None.

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Publication rights: Copyright belongs to Associated Universities, Inc. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the NRAO Archivist, who will consult with AUI on permissions.

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Preferred citation: National Radio Astronomy Observatory/Associated Universities, Inc. Archives, Records of AUI, <series/unit/subunit/box #>. After the initial citation, abbreviations may be used: NRAO/AUI Archives, Records of AUI, <series/unit/subunit/box #>.

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Processing notes: Arrangement, description, indexing, foldering and boxing of this material was begun by Heather Cole in spring 2019. During the processing, fasteners were removed and materials were removed from binders of various types.

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Scope and Contents of Collection

Board of Trustees Series: This series is currently comprised of the AUI charter, bylaws and lists of trustees. Click here for a folder listing.

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Visiting Committee Series: The NRAO Visiting Committee is appointed by the AUI Board of Trustees to review the management and research programs of the Observatory. The Visiting Committee meetings are held at alternating NRAO sites. This series contains correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports beginning with 1957. The Visiting Committee's formal report and the NRAO response are filed separately for 1957-1991, and thereafter are filed with the materials for each specific meeting. Files for the most recent years are kept in the NRAO Director's Office rather than the Archives. Dates: 1957-2004. Size: 5 linear feet.

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Committees Series: This series comprises the reports of AUI committees including the Report of the Committee to Define the Duties and Responsibilities of the President of AUI (October 1963) and the Report to the AUI Ad-Hoc Committee on the NRAO Scientific Staff Unit (November 2001). Dates: 1963-2008) Size: 0.25 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.

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President's Office Series: This series comprises records from the tenure of Ethan Schreier as president of AUI (2004-2017). It is currently limited, but we anticipate that additional material will be forthcoming. Dates: 2002-2015. Size: 0.25 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.

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Projects Series: This series includes projects that AUI proposed or was involved in planning—both funded and not.

  • National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) Unit: This unit includes two scientific staff policy manuals and a management proposal from 2015. Dates: 2002-2015. Size: 0.5 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • Space Telescope Science Institute (StScI) Unit: In 1980, AUI submitted a proposal to NASA to establish and operate the Space Telescope Science Institute (StScI). This unit comprises business and configuration management proposals. Date: 1980. Size: 2 folders. Click here for a list of folders.
  • Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Unit: This unit includes a number of ALMA agreements and records from ALMA Coordinating Committee meetings. Related materials: see also the ALMA Series in the Records of NRAO. Dates: 1963-2012. Size: 2.5 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO) Unit: In 2008, AUI and the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) formed VAO, LLC, a non-profit company that was subsequently granted the development and management of the Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO) for the National Science Foundation and NASA. This unit includes proposals, reports and correspondence relating to the VAO. Dates: 2002-2013. Size: 0.5 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • International Space Station Research Institute (ISSRI) Unit: For several years, AUI was involved in planning for the creation and management of a research institute to “improve the quantity of quality research” on the International Space Station. This unit includes an AUI white paper on the topic, background material, potential partners, minutes from various meetings, draft proposals and correspondence. Dates: 1987-2011. Size: 1.5 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • Square Kilometer Array (SKA) Unit: AUI/NRAO’s involvement in planning for a large international radio telescope began in the 1990s and continued through the early 2010s. This unit includes material from various SKA planning meetings including the PrepSKA Board, the SKA Science and Engineering Committee (SSEC) and SKA Project Execution Plans. Related materials: see also the SKA Series in the Papers of Kenneth I. Kellermann. Dates: 2007-2013. Size: 1.0 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope (CCAT) Unit: AUI was one of a number of partners on the construction and operation of a 25-meter diameter telescope in Chile. This unit includes agreements, reports and correspondence re: the CCAT project. Dates: 2008-2012. Size: 3 folders. Click here for a list of folders.
  • United States Antarctic Program (USAP) Unit: In fall 2010, AUI submitted a proposal to provide project support and education/outreach programs as a subcontractor under Lockheed Martin to the USAP beginning in 2012. This unit comprises the contract proposal and revisions. Dates: 2008-2011. Size: 1.0 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.
  • National Society of Black Physicists Conference Unit: This unit is comprised of a proposal for a conference to be held in June 2014. Size: 2 folders.
  • National Commission on Grid Resilience (NCGR) Unit: NCGR identifies and promotes national strategic policy initiatives to ensure the security and resilience of the U.S. electrical grid. The Commission serves to: (1) generate and focus interest from the public and private sector on grid security and resilience; (2) facilitate bipartisan support for national grid innovation efforts; (3) develop an actionable, nonpartisan road map for grid innovation; and (4) inform legislative and executive branch priorities. Currently there is just one item in this unit.

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Education and Public Outreach Summit Series: This series is comprised of financial paperwork and correspondence regarding an Astronomy EPO Summit held in March 2015. Size: 1 folder.

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Publications Series: This series comprises AUI publications: Organization and Objectives (December 1963, with supplements for 1964-1969), 25 Years of Research Management, 1946-1971 (1971), an AUI marketing publication from 2000 and Future Prospects for US Radio, Millimeter and Submillimeter Astronomy (October 2008). Size: 0.25 linear feet. Click here for a list of folders.

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Photographs Series: This series comprises photographs of AUI Board members, meetings and other events. Click here for a selection of digitized photos.

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