1. ACCU Report News and User Issues
Darin Acosta (Non-Member State representative)
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

2. Advisory Committee of CERN Users
ACCU advises the Director General on the practical measures to be taken and administrative internal arrangements to be made by the CERN Management for the utilization of the CERN facilities for research. This concerns in particular the working conditions and the arrangements for technical support to the CERN Users for their activity at the CERN Laboratory.
Quality of life issues at the lab
Committee chair has been Catherine Vander Velde, but likely to be succeeded by Gerjan Bobbink (Dutch delegate) after formal vote in December (he’s the only candidate…)
Committee membership is 1-2 appointed representatives from each member state, 4 representatives from non-member states, and 2 CERN staff members
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

3. ACCU Meetings In Past Year
Dec.7, 2012 (98th meeting)
March 6, 2013 (99th meeting)
June 4, 2013 (100th meeting)
Sept. 11, 2013 (101st meeting)
Agendas and detailed meeting minutes:
Plus see my notes ed to US LUO shortly after each meeting
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

4. Housing News
A long term waiting list is now online through the web booking
See tab if unsuccessful in getting a Hostel reservation.
Can only enter list 20 days or more in advance.
B38 renovation will follow last year’s survey
80 rooms with toilet and shower (58 CHF), 88 rooms with only washbasin (27 CHF), and 28 shared rooms (14 CHF).
Reminder that washers and driers are available
See reception for card and soap
CERN Shuttle to airport now stops at Hostel
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

5. Restaurant News
Novae saw significant increase in sales after renovating B40 cafeteria area
Various vending machines placed around CERN for food and other incidentals
Planning to increase capacity of Prevessin cafeteria
The “Kiosk 33” cafeteria area by the CERN tram stop is deemed a failure – not enough visitors. Will be terminated after summer
Payment with credit cards: still working on it
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

6. Winter Weather CERN PH Cars: CERN grounds
Winter tires were NOT installed on new CERN cars last winter. Definitely not advised to drive on icy/snowy roads.
Future cars will have proper winter tires
Current CERN car users have the option to request tire change, BUT a 500 CHF fee is charged
CERN grounds
Last winter was challenging for CERN maintenance
Some incidents with people slipping and falling last winter in high pedestrian traffic areas.
Probably can do better in those areas. To their credit, the crews were good at clearing a path from Gate E for pedestrians walking from St. Genis
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

7. Bicycle/Pedestrian Access to CERN
Gate C:
An automatic turnstile has been installed to vineyards behind B40/42
Open from 6am to 10pm, but only weekdays 
Gate D, French/Swiss border:
Bicycles currently must cross several times the busy Route de Meyrin to reach St.Genis from Entrance B
Special gate for bicycles to safely reach bike path to St.Genis requires high-level diplomatic solution…
Prevessin:
A protected 3m wide bike lane from small roundabout to Prevessin site is planned, possible start in 2014
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

8. CERN Bikes
To rent a bike at CERN, visit building 124 R-001 for the bike and car pool.
A deposit is required
100 CHF cash or 400 CHF by TEAM account
Demand for bikes is very high during summer
New policy: 1 CHF/day charge from June-Sept.
Summer usage of bikes:
733 (2010), 588 (2011), 796 (2012), 717 (2013)
There is also a (free) bike sharing program. Bikes are parked outside CERN by the Reception. Pick up an RFID card from building 130 (GS carpool)
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

9. Health Insurance
CERN has been investigating inexpensive insurance options for users with coverage for accidents at work and outside based on positive feedback from a recent survey
UNIQA Accidenta coverage by itself is not considered adequate
Complicated because CERN is not the direct employer of users
Identified one potential company: Allianz
Covers user and family, any age, citizenship, residence, length of association, no medical questionnaire
Worldwide coverage
100% reimbursement of medical expenses, ambulance, hospitalization with no deductible
Non-urgent medical care is not covered!
1.9 euro (2.36 CHF) per day and per person
Still working to find a full insurance coverage solution.
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

10. Users Office News Changes in procedures for 2013:
UsersOffice/NewProceduresJan2013.html
Two documents required:
Home institution declaration, Registration Form and Contract
Options for preferred long name on registration is now implemented
End of contract announcements unified between Users Office and IT: now 28 days before expiration
Forwarding of will stop 6 months after contract expiration
Switzerland is now introducing biometry for Visas. Requires a personal visit to Swiss embassy. Will be valid for 5 years.
Validity of French residence cards to become the contract end date plus 1 month
TEAM leaders please ensure that users return residence documents at the end of their stay
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

11. CERN Code of Conduct
CERN users are reminded of the code of conduct established in 2010
CERN also has an independent Ombudsperson
Vincent Vuillemin
Anyone suspecting harassment is encouraged to contact the CERN Ombudsperson earlier, not later. The ombuds is completely independent and confidential, and can offer advice, etc. Informal.
104 cases seen in
The Harassment Investigation Panel (HIP) is a formal body that can take administrative steps in a harassment case.
Independent of Ombudsperson:
Circular OC9 defines procedure for harassment cases
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

12. Miscellaneous Fitness room at CERN:
Despite this being a personal goal of mine and several other U.S. commuters interested in maintaining a healthy lifestyle while traveling, this was rejected by the DG. Investing money in the current fiscal climate “sends the wrong message”. 
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

13. New Student Orientation
I prepared information in the form of slides from various places (including ACCU) as a quick reference guide to help your students (and mine!) relocating to CERN from U.S.:
2/NewStudentOrientationAtCERN%281%29.pdf
Preparation before the trip (visas), process to get CERN account and ID, how to get around, emergency numbers, what to expect, …
Please send criticism and suggestions!
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

14. U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta

15. Summary Your CERN user concerns and input are very welcome!
Please let me, or my successor, know if you have any matters to raise to ACCU
Next ACCU meeting: Dec. 4, 2013
Update on child care options
Actually looking for someone to attend the meeting on my behalf as this conflicts with our finals week…
U.S. LHC Users Association Meeting, Nov.8, 2013
ACCU Report ~ Darin Acosta