Organization

From Mica

MICA is a distributed, virtual scientific and educational organization, based exclusively in virtual worlds (VWs), currently mainly in Second Life (SL), but we will broaden our presence as other venues become available and suitable for our activities.

MICA is managed by an Executive Committee (EC), assisted by an Advisory Council (AC), both chaired by the Director.

Professional members (PMs) of MICA are researchers and/or educators in astronomy or a related field, experts in SL/VWs technologies, or other prominent members of the SL/VWs community. PMs are expected to carry the work of the Institute, and to further its goals and reputation; the usual academic standards should apply in their activiities. PMs can be nominated by any current member of the AC, and and elected by the AC; interested PMs may approach any of the AC members and ask to be nominated, and provide supporting information as needed. PMs are encouraged to list MICA as their professional affiliation in any suitable venues and documents, including publications (especially those dealing with MICA-related work and subjects). They can join any of the existing Working Groups, and propose creation of new ones, as well as other appropriate kinds of new MICA initiatives; however, these would have to be officially approved by the AC. PMs can vote on any initiatives put forward by the AC, if a full membership vote is called.

MICA Affiliates (MAs) include any persons interested in the work of the Institute and the fields of science it covers. Anyone can become a MICA Affiliate by joining the MICA SL group. MAs can be placed on the MICA mailing list by contacting the Group Communications lead (currently Paradox Olbers / Spike MacPhee). MAs are welcome to attend any MICA activities, except for the closed sessions of the AC, but cannot vote. They cannot list MICA as their professional institutional affiliation, nor can they represent MICA in any forum. MAs may become PMs upon a successful application to the AC; however, the AC decisions are final.

The AC reserves the right to remove any PM or MA, if it finds that their activities are not consistent with the goals and best interests of MICA.