The Vanderbilt Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) is designed, implemented, and operated by and for the investigators who are users of its services. The governing and decision making structure of the center is shown in the figure below.

The Steering Committee provides vision and direction for ACCRE, makes policy decisions such as the allocation of resources, resolves any problems or disputes, and is responsible for operational oversight. This committee is responsive to requests and concerns raised by the Investigators, as well as serving as a conduit for information flow among the Internal Advisory Committee, the Investigators, and the External Advisory Committee.

Steering Committee Members and School Affiliation
David Piston, Medical School
Ronald Schrimpf, Engineering
Paul Sheldon (Chair), Arts and Science

The Internal Advisory Committee provides internal, independent advice and review. This committee is comprised of University Central and Medical Center research administrative personnel. The Internal Advisory Committee meets when they find it necessary. At these meetings the Steering Committee reports on all significant issues related to the Center; the administrative committee members provide feedback, advice, and guidance as needed. This committee is co-chaired by Jeffrey Balser (Medical Center) and Dennis Hall (University Central).

The ACCRE Steering Committee and staff actively solicit advice and review from all researchers using ACCRE resources. This input can be in many forms including bi-annual Investigator luncheons, short-term Investigator Study Groups, and User Group or individual meetings.

The External Advisory Committee consists of three to four external experts who provide independent advice and review. These advisors are selected from the community of researchers who are experts in the implementation and/or use of High Performance Computing. A balance is struck among the many interests and sub-areas of expertise involved in the center.

These advisors are invited individually to visit the Center every other year either in conjunction with a presentation to the user community or to participate in a formal project review, the results of which are presented to the Steering Committee and the Internal Advisory Committee.