What is the UC ?
The UC is part of the governing bodies of ESO. Other than in case of the other commissions, the representative is selected and appointed by the Director General (rules).
"Terms of Reference" (ESO Council in December 2010):
The ESO Users Committee (UC) is established as an advisory body to the ESO Director General, in representation of the communities of users of the ESO Member States and Chile.
The UC shall:
- Advise the Director General on matters pertaining to the performance of the La Silla Paranal Observatory and ALMA.
- Advise the Director General on matters pertaining to the scientific access, operations and data management facilities of ESO.
- Advise the Director General on matters pertaining to other services offered by ESO to its users’ community and directly related to the scientific output of the La Silla Paranal Observatory and ALMA.
- Discuss at its annual meeting all the matters above with representatives of ESO involved in operations of the La Silla Paranal Observatory and ALMA.
- Establish appropriate channels to collect information from their respective national communities about their experiences and evaluations of the use of ESO’s facilities.
- Assist ESO in informing the astronomical communities in the Member States and Chile about the status, background, and motivation for ESO’s operational planning.
- Formulate to ESO Management specific recommendations for improvements in the areas described in items 1, 2 and 3 above.
Zou find the public information about this (and the other commitees) at: