STARC Meeting Summary August 2026
Key Discussion Topics:
Research Data Security, Server Space and Policy Working Group, Hardware Buy-out MOU, and more
Meeting Summary:
The STARC committee met to continue discussions about addressing research data security requirements and review the plan to apply one-time buy-out funds provided by the Provost. The group reviewed the plan for a Research Data Security program that likely includes multiple solutions, and endorsed the critical need for more information about the research data landscape on campus and range of requirements among funded projects. Simon agreed that the Office of Research should lead this effort and will enlist the help of Denise to extract data from Cayuse and data-use agreements. Simon will charge a working group that will have input from faculty and IT leads.
The group also endorsed the approach outlined by HPC@UCD for applying the Provost’s one-time buy-out funds that includes a requirement to decommission old hardware upon acceptance of buy-out funds. Buy-out units (absorbed clusters) will be allowed 40% of the new compute allocation for free use with the remaining 60% used for the normal recharge program. The default regimen would be free use of the full buy-out allocation for 2 years, after which all of the CPU would enter the standard recharge program for the remaining 3 years of hardware life. Alternatively, buy-out users could claim 40% of free compute each year for 5 years. This regimen allows for 60% of the value of buy-out hardware to be recovered through depreciation to be applied towards replacement of the buy-out hardware in 5 years, at end-of-support life. The details and logic for the buy-out funds will be explained in a one-pager to be disseminated to users and stakeholders.
The group also developed recommendations for improved communication with stakeholders, increased engagement with the user community, and coordination with the HPC@UCD Facility Advisory Committee.
