The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) was established in 2008 to advise the OOI Program Office and the OOI Implementing Organizations (IOs) during planning for and construction of the OOI facility. The PAC serves a critical advisory role for the program.
The PAC:
- Is the primary consultative group for the Program Director for Ocean Observing Activities at Ocean Leadership.
- Provides leadership on scientific issues impacting the OOI facility.
- Provides strategic planning on science programs catalyzed by the OOI.
- Represents the community during discussions with the Program Office.
- Provides a conduit for community input into the implementation and management of the OOI facility.
- Provides assessment of community responsiveness to the transformative capabilities of the OOI facility.
PAC members also serve as a resource pool for specific roles across a variety of program areas. Recent roles of the PAC include providing ad hoc reviews on OOI budget issues, and serving on an external advisory panel to work with the Project Team in a two-day workshop about Operations and Maintenance. There are future needs for advice across several topic areas, but particularly with respect to software/hardware integration and data product development.
In consultation with the Program Director for Ocean Observing Activities, the PAC may form subcommittees or ad hoc advisory groups as appropriate during construction of the OOI facility. This flexibility ensures that the advisory structure is adaptable to changing program needs, and that funds and human resources allocated for supporting the program’s advisory functions are used effectively.
The PAC works directly with the Program Director for Ocean Observing Activities at Ocean Leadership and formally reports to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Ocean Leadership on a regular basis.
The PAC held its first meeting Sept. 11-12, 2008 in Dallas, Texas, and since then, has conducted in-person meetings and teleconferences as needed to discuss emerging issues and priorities throughout the construction of OOI.
PAC Membership:
- William Boicourt (Chair), University of Maryland, Horn Point
- Fei Chai, University of Maine
- Stephan Howden, University of Southern Mississippi
- Chuanmin Hu, University of South Florida
- Francisco Chavez, MBARI
- Percy Donaghay, University of Rhode Island
- James Edson, University of Connecticut
- Jeff Hare, NOAA and University of Hawaii
Click here to Request Information About Serving on the OOI PAC.
