I was recently invited to join the Advisory Council for the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (SFOS). The School is a world-class marine research and teaching institute with strengths in marine and freshwater fisheries, oceanography, marine biology, seafood technology and community outreach.
The SFOS Council is a most distinguished group comprising 14 members representing industry, government, non-profit, research and academic organizations. The Council is chaired by Dr David Policansky from the National Research Council and reports directly to UAF Chancelor Brian Rogers. Our meeting in Juneau focused on the recent remarkable accomplishments of the SFOS - from securing funding for construction of the new $190m+ Alaska Region Research Vessel (ARRV) that will be based out of Seward, to completion of the new $20m+ UAF Lena Point Fisheries facility in Juneau to expansion of the fisheries degree with significant ($5m) Rasmuson Foundation support and State government match.
The turnaround in SFOS funding and rapid program development is a testament to the outstanding leadership of SFOS Dean, Denis Wiesenburg. It is evident that since Denis came on board 5 years ago, the School has undergone a significant improvement in financial management and gained a wider support base within the UA system. I have particularly appreciated his support for the ASLC and willingness to work closely with us since I came on board.
The Advisory Council reviewed the draft strategic and development plans for SFOS and toured the new Lena Point building. We also had a chance to meet the new faculty in both Juneau and Fairbanks - SFOS has really expanded the range of marine science disciplines represented in the Faculty over the past year. I was particularly pleased to finally meet Institute of Marine Science Director, Terry Whitledge and begin to coordinate some joint fundraising efforts with SFOS Development Manager, Theresa Thompson.
SFOS-ASLC MoA
An important highlight of the meeting for me was the opportunity to work with Assistant Dean (and former ASLC Science Director) Mike Castellini to engage the Advisory Council on our new Memorandum of Agreement - the Council has been concerned about SFOS-ASLC interactions over the past few years and a perceived decline in our ability to work together.
In presenting our analysis of what the current MoA has achieved over the past 13 years, we were reminded of the amazing synergy between the ASLC and UAF, but also of the challenges of findings ways to partner that add value to both institutions. Like any relationship, our partnership with UAF has evolved from that envisaged by the Exxon Valdez Trust Council who required UAF to be the science lead for the ASLC when the SeaLife Center was established. We are now looking to craft an MoA that will be time bound (5 year increments), have specific performance benchmarks and clearer benefits sharing around specific joint research and education activities. Tara and I have begun to work on a new draft MoA and hope to have that signed of by September, 2009 (subject to EVOSTC concurrence). We will head up to Fairbanks in May to meet with Denis, Mike and other faculty to flesh out a draft set of partnership principles and activities.
What thoughts do you have on partnering more effectively with UAF?
I'm glad this is progressing beyond "we're working on the MOA" to "we're working on the MOA and bope to have it signed by Sept. 30." Having a solid timeline will help resurrect this important document from no-man's land and bring us back to where we need to be with UAF. It's another step in increasing our scientific credibility and showing potential funders and collaborators that we have the ability to build lasting/living relationships with other organizations. Plus we might finally get online access to the UAF library system! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI am really pleased that the ASLC/UAF relationship is on the mend. Clearly, we need them and they need us too.
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