From the President’s Office – 8/26/2011
Filed under: About,From The President's Office,News & Resources
It has continued to be quiet in Washington this week except for Tuesday’s earthquake, which caught everyone by surprise! We were all focused on hurricane Irene’s east coast track when it hit. Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage, although there were a lot of pictures that needed to be straightened on apartment and office walls.
An important announcement to the ocean drilling community was released last Friday from the National Science Foundation (NSF) by Tim Killeen, Assistant Director for Geosciences and David Conover, Director of the Ocean Sciences Division. They articulated a clear path forward through a new operating model which, as a top priority, preserves the JOIDES Resolution as a dedicated research vessel with respect to NSF’s potential future investment in scientific ocean drilling. This approach increases the probability of success for the independent operation of the JOIDES Resolution and its continued productivity on behalf of science, while encouraging international participation. Of course, any future success of a scientific ocean drilling plan will require National Science Board approval, and the availability of funds in this very challenging fiscal environment.
Looks like the east coast is going to get soaked this weekend. Hopefully, there will be minimal hurricane damage. Stay dry!
Bob
