M&SNet Policy & Procedures

1. Part 1 - Structure, Vision, Mission, and Activities
   1. Introduction
   2. Structure
   3. Vision
   4. Mission
   5. Activities
         
2. Part 2 - Benefits, Obligations, and Annual Report
   1. Benefits
   2. Obligations
   3. Annual Report
         
3. Part 3 - Membership in M&SNet
   1. Application
   2. Assessment
   3. Renewal
   4. Start up

Part 1 - Structure, Vision, Mission, and Activities

1. Introduction. The McLeod Modeling and Simulation Network (M&SNet) is an initiative of the Society for Modeling and Simulation International (SCS).  M&SNet is a network of co-operating independent organizations active in professionalism, research, education, and knowledge dissemination in the modeling and simulation (M&S) domain.  Modeling and simulation (M&S) is an enabling technology for:
   • decision making in system design, development, optimization, control, and acquisition, as well as for sensitivity analysis, planning, and prototyping
     understanding
   • education and training to enhance decision making and/or motor skills
   • entertainment
   • supporting and/or enriching real system operations
        
2. Structure. The M&SNet has a Director appointed by the Senior Vice President of SCS. It has an Executive Committee formed by the directors of the member organizations of the M&SNet. The Executive Committee creates conditions in which the obligations of the member organizations can be fulfilled and the mission of the M&SNet is realized. See also Part 3, items 9-13.
      
3. Vision. M&SNet aims to provide an organizational structure that will serve to integrate and enrich, within its organizations, the activities of modeling and simulation expertise throughout the world.
      
4. Mission. The mission of the M&SNet is to foster:
   • professionalism in modeling and simulation
   • advancement of the art and science of M&S
   • usage of M&S in all domains of applicability
   • M&S education
   • dissemination of M&S-related knowledge

   The mechanisms to achieve this mission include:

   • contributions to both the development of the profession and to its recognition within the scientific/technical community at large
   • development and exchange of educational materials (e.g., model curricula, and lecture material) and teaching resources (e.g., software)
   • dissemination of M&S knowledge through publications and in conferences and seminars
   • research projects carried out cooperatively by multiple organizations within the M&SNet
     
5. Activities. The M&SNet provides a framework within which organizations interested in modeling and simulation can interact, share expertise, and work on problems of common interest. Some noteworthy features of the M&SNet are as follows:
   • Professionalism:
     • The M&SNet endorses and promotes professionalism in M&S and cooperates with other professional organizations in activities promoting/enhancing professionalism in M&S.
     • The M&SNet supports professional ethics in M&S and cooperates with other professional organizations with same concern.
   • Education:
     • It provides a forum for the exchange of new ideas and approaches in modeling and simulation education and training. 
     • It is concerned with the development of model curriculum for M&S education. Development of such a curriculum is also to ease exchange of students and faculty members at national and international level.
     • The needs of modeling and simulation professionals are likewise being addressed at some organizations with the creation of appropriate study materials.
     • Student exchanges, which enrich the learning experience, are encouraged. 
     • The organizations within the M&SNet are encouraged to co-operate in producing course material for education and training in the modeling and simulation domain. 
     • Theses work at Ph.D., Masters and Bachelors level are encouraged on M&S.
   • Research:
     • The M&SNet provides an excellent platform for networking for externally funded research. When preparing proposals for external funding, participating researchers have access to other researchers in the M&SNet organizations. Researchers in these organizations also benefit from increased opportunities to be included in other proposals.
     • Opportunities frequently exist for the exchange of faculty members and research staff between M&SNet organizations. The goal is to promote and facilitate co-operation and the formulation of collaborative projects among organizations at regional, national, and international levels.
     • The organizations within the M&SNet regularly exchange modeling and simulation software or serve as alpha and/or beta test sites for newly developed software. Organizations provide assistance to each other when problems arise in software development.
   • Dissemination of Knowledge:
     • The Centers organize and/or support SCS sponsored M&S conferences throughout the World.
     • The results of research projects in modeling and simulation carried out within the Centers are regularly presented at conferences and published in Journals and SCS publications.
     • The M&SNet provides a platform for professional seminar speakers on M&S.

Back to top

Part 2 - Benefits, Obligations, and Annual Report

1. Benefits:
   • Each organization is a preferred partner in the activities of the M&SNet as described in Part 1, Section 5.  Access to strong and complementary expertise in professionalism, education, research, and knowledge dissemination can be a major factor in the success of a member organization.
   • The members of each organization are included in the list of expertise updated annually on the Web site of the M&SNet and in SCS Directory of Modeling and Simulation Resources. 
   • Discount on Institutional membership (see Part 2.2).
     
2. Obligations.  A member organization has certain obligations to the M&SNet, to the SCS and to the simulation profession. Minimal Requirements are:
   • Each organization (other than the MISS) is required to become an Institutional member, or higher, of the SCS as described on the SCS Web site (scs.org). The organization receives a discount of US$500 applied to the membership fee. Requirements for membership and application of the US$500 discount apply annually. 
     Operating in accordance to the terms of the SCS bylaws as specified by this PaP.
     Supporting the code of professional ethics for simulationists of the SCS.
     Maintaining a Web site to announce its activities and disseminate knowledge about them.
     Preparing an annual report of its significant activities and authorizing its linking to the Web site of the M&SNet.
     Submitting electronically a list of its members and their expertise areas at the same time as the annual report. (See: example)
     Sending a representative to the M&SNet Annual Meeting, which is held in conjunction with the Summer Simulation MultiConference.
     Whenever legally possible, making all M&S related publications and research reports available on its Web site or sending soft or hard copies to other M&SNet organizations.

   The members of an M&SNet organization are expected to have some additional professional activities such as:

   • Acceptance of leadership responsibilities in the SCS through election or appointment.
   • Active participation in SCS committees.
   • Fostering closer collaboration among M&SNet colleagues and thereby strengthening the cohesion of the M&SNet.
   • Exchanging experiences, ideas and materials with other M&SNet organizations (e.g., publications, course material, research reports, software and participation in M&SNet meetings).
   • Actively supporting/organizing SCS sponsored conferences and/or tracks/sessions within them.
        
3. Annual Report. The Director of each M&SNet member organization submits to the Director of the M&SNet, the last week of June of each year, a link to the Web URL of an annual report in electronic format. The annual report will then be a public document of the M&SNet and its link will appear on the Web site of the M&SNet.

Back to top

Part 3 - Membership in M&SNet

1. Application.  Who may apply?  An organization already active in some or all types of activities specified in Part 1, item 5 may apply for membership to the M&SNet.  How to Apply?  An organization can apply to become a member by sending a letter of application to the director of the M&SNet. The letter should identify the relevant areas in which it is active, list of its members and their expertise areas, and the URL of its Web site.
      
2. Assessment.  The assessment of the application is done by the members of the Executive Committee of the M&SNet. Majority vote is required for the approval. The Director does not vote except in case of a tie. The decision is passed to the applicant organization by the Director of the M&SNet. The approval of a membership is for two years starting from date of entry.
      
3. Renewal.  Membership is renewable biannually provided that the organization fulfills its obligations as specified in Part 2.2 above.
   
4. Start up. The initial applications are assessed by the Director of the M&SNet, the Vice President of Education, and the President of SCS until the M&SNet has five member organizations. Then the Executive Committee of the M&SNet is formed and operates according to Part 2.2 above.

Back to top

Return to M&SNet Home Page

Return to SCS Home Page

Copyright 2005, SCS. All Rights Reserved.