Memorandum of Understanding
Between the
U.S. Department of Commerce's
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
and
The University of Puerto Rico
Mayaguez Campus

I. PARTIES

The Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus (UPRM).

II. PURPOSE

The Purpose of this MOU is to provide a cooperative framework for the parties to develop and establish a NOAA and UPRM academic and research program that will empower the Hispanic American community to attain educational excellence in several disciplines, with special emphasis on the oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental sciences, and to contribute positively to the fulfillment of NOAA's mission. The program will be directed toward: promoting career and professional attainment among UPRM students who pursue studies in the oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental sciences; increasing employment opportunities in NOAA for UPRM students; and supporting and strengthening the academic and research development of Departments that offer curricula related to the oceanic, atmospheric and environmental sciences.

III. AUTHORITIES

The authorities for entering into this MOU are:

Executive Order 12900 Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, dated February 22, 1994; and 15 U.S.C. Section 1540.

IV. OBJECTIVES

The objectives will be to develop NOAA - UPRM programs and coordinate agency involvement and activities to increase employment and educational opportunities in NOAA for UPRM students, educators and researchers, as well as strengthen Departments and curriculum associated with the oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental sciences. This MOU is expected to guide the parties in pursuit of the following objectives:

• Increase the number of Hispanic Serving Institutions competing for contracts, grants and cooperative agreements for the conduct of NOAA research and development activities;
• Conduct scientific research of interest to NOAA and UPRM which would enhance and compliment the academic training of UPRM students studying the oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental sciences;
• Promote the participation of UPRM in NOAA's internship programs for students and faculty members;

• Increase the number of students, faculty and researchers from UPRM benefitting from education, training and employment opportunities at NOAA;
• Increase excess property-acquisition opportunities for UPRM to the extent possible under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, 15 U.S.C. Section 303; and,
• Support participation in UPRM programs (e.g. conferences, symposia).

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

In fulfilling the objectives of this MOU, the parties agree to participate in and be responsible for activities as follows:

NOAA, subject to the availability of resources, will:

• Inform NOAA Bureaus/Offices of this MOU and request their participation in its implementation;
• Provide information to Bureau/Office officials on those UPRM endeavors which meet the requirements of NOAA mission-related careers;
• Provide UPRM with information on employment and internship opportunities within NOAA;
• Provide opportunities for NOAA employees to serve at UPRM and for faculty members of UPRM to serve temporarily in positions at NOAA;
• Give strong consideration to the use of Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments at UPRM to assist with curriculum development, research proposal development, and other initiatives to strengthen UPRM linkages with NOAA, as well as coordinate curriculum revision and expansion of research programs on a local, national and hemispheric level;
• Support UPRM's Departments that offer oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental science curricula through resource and operational support deemed necessary for special projects such as fora, job fairs, career days, partnership school programs, workshops, and conferences. Specific projects will be treated in separate agreements; and

• Increase collaborative efforts with UPRM to promote community outreach initiatives to inspire and motivate Hispanic high school students to pursue careers in the oceanic, atmospheric and environmental sciences.
• Share and discuss this agreement with other Hispanic Serving Institutions that offer oceanic, atmospheric, and environmental science curricula, or which are interested in developing such curricula.

VI. COSTS

Nothing herein shall be construed as obligating NOAA or UPRM to expend funds or devote a certain amount of personnel time and effort in furtherance of the purposes and responsibilities set forth in this MOU, except as agreed to in writing in subsequent agreements by the parties. All expenditures by NOAA are subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Vll. EFFECTIVE DATE

This MOU shall become effective upon the date of signatures and shall remain in effect as written unless terminated or otherwise amended by mutual written agreement. The MOU may be terminated at any time by either party upon sixty

(60) days written notice to the other party.

VIII. IMPLEMENTATION

The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Chancellor, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, shall assign individuals to serve on an oversight committee responsible for directing the successful implementation of this MOU. The committee will consist of an equal number of members from NOAA and UPRM and will meet on a scheduled basis as determined by the members.