Host a School

The selection of a site for the CERN School of Computing is a complex process which is described in this document.

The initial step is triggered by a laboratory or a university who submits a proposal to host the CSC in their premises.

Process for Proposing Location to host the CSC

This document is intended for potential Local Organizers interested in hosting the CERN School of Computing the process for developing their proposal and provides a template for formulating it.

The process for submitting proposals is in two stages:

  • An Expression of Interest letter is to be sent to the Director of the CERN School of Computing, by the authorized person in the organization which will act as Local Organizer or which will lead a consortium of organizations. The letter should be short and the only required elements are:
    • The expression of Interest
    • The name of the person who will (possibly only initially) act as contact.
  • A proposal based on the template available below is to be submitted at least 20 months before the school dates.

The proposal may include several and/or alternate options regarding the location city, the tuition and lodging places.

During the preparation of this proposal, it preferable that the options be discussed with the School Director.

Based on the proposal, the CSC Advisory Committee will make a decision at least 18 months before the school takes place.

Elements to be taken into account when considering a location

Location (institute, city, country)

There is no absolute rule for the choice of the city where the school is taking place. Very successful schools have been organized:

  • in large towns as country capitals (Helsinki, Copenhagen, Nicosia)
  • in medium size towns (Goettingen, Gyovik)
  • in medium size tourist/resort towns (Dubrovnik, Vico Equense, Funchal)
  • in smaller towns located ~ 90 min from a major city (Krems, 80 km from Vienna).

In general, the following key criteria will be considered:

  • The location should be in a reasonably attractive area.
  • For logistics reasons, it should not be located too far from the premises of (one of) the local organizer(s). This is to facilitate logistical support (secretarial support, technical assistance)
  • In general, young participants prefer reasonably animated places (cities or nearby cities) rather than exceptionally beautiful but very isolated areas. 
  • The location should permit the organization of attractive excursion(s), as well as other social activities (nearby sports centre / facilities is particularly appreciated).
  • The costs in the area (for lodging, meals, transportation, services, …) should be compatible with the limited budget of the school (unless prices are very favorably negotiated).

Possible models for the site (single / separate)

Annex 1 below provides details of the possible school models, and the key elements to be taken into account for each model.

In short, a school site is formed of two components:

  • The Accommodation facility: where the students and organizers/lecturers are accommodated during the nights
  • The Tuition facility: where the lectures and exercises take place.

A  –  Single site model

  • A1: Single hotel to provide both accommodation and tuition facilities
  • A2: Single academic campus to provide both accommodation and tuition facilities

B –  Separate sites model

  • B1: Accommodation in hotel – tuition at academic site
  • B2: Accommodation in hotel – Tuition in Convention Centre
  • B3: Accommodation in academic campus – Tuition in Convention Centre
  • B4: Accommodation in academic campus – Tuition at distinct academic site

Advantages and drawbacks of each model are discussed in details in Annex 1.

Over the years, the most successful models have been:

A1
2004
2007
Single hotel to provide both accommodation and tuition facilities– Major advantage: all-in-one aspect (no commuting time, …)
– Major drawback: logistics and cost to set up a full computing / networking infrastructure in the hotel
B1
2006
Accommodation in hotel – tuition at academic site– Major advantage: use of local computing infrastructure for exercises (no cost, no set up)
B4
2003
Accommodation in academic campus – Tuition at distinct academic site– Major advantage: low cost all-in-one aspect (no commuting) use of local computing infrastructure for exercises (no cost, no set up).
– Possible drawback: commuting time

Another model likely to be successful (though not experimented recently) is A2, provided that:

  • The campus is not too isolated
  • The lodging and meals on the campus are of good quality
A2Single academic campus to provide both accommodation and tuition facilities– Major advantage: low cost all-in-one aspect (no commuting) – use of local computing infrastructure for exercises (no cost, no set up)
– Possible drawback: if isolated campus, distance to reach animated areas

Role of the Local Organizing Committee

Detailed description of the role of the Local Organizing Committee.

Template for Proposals to host a CSC

This template must be viewed as a guide to collect key data of the proposal. Not all components may be known at the time the proposal is submitted. It is preferable to discuss initial ideas and versions with the School Director before investing too much into a specific direction. The proposal may contain several options for the proposed city and/or the site model (single/separate)

Download the template here: