Vision - The US Ocean Science research and education programs are healthy and vigorous, thanks to broad access to the best possible mix of modern, capable, efficiently run, and well-operated research vessels, aircraft, submersibles and other major shared-use facilities.
Mission - UNOLS provides a primary forum through which the ocean research and education community, research facility operators and the supporting Federal agencies work cooperatively to improve access, scheduling, operation, and capabilities of current and future academic oceanographic facilities.
The UNOLS Charter was originally adopted in 1972 and serves as the bylaws and guiding document for operation of the organization. The introduction and objectives underscore the overall purpose of UNOLS
INTRODUCTION
Recognizing the need for coordinated use of federally supported oceanographic facilities, the community of academic oceanographic institutions, which use and operate those facilities, by virtue of this Charter, do hereby establish an organization of academic oceanographic institutions. The organization shall be named the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS). UNOLS is solely an advisory body. Execution and enforcement of its recommendations are matters for member institutions and for agencies, which fund the construction and operation of UNOLS facilities.
OBJECTIVES
An objective of UNOLS is to coordinate and review the access to and utilization of facilities for academic oceanographic research, and the current match of facilities to the needs of academic oceanographic programs. UNOLS makes appropriate recommendations of priorities for replacing, modifying or improving the numbers and mix of facilities for the community of users. Another objective is to foster federal and other support for academic oceanography, thereby continuing and enhancing the excellence of this nation's oceanographic program. Emphasis is placed on ships and other seagoing facilities.
UNOLS Goals
Goals for 2019/2020:
1. Continuing - Improve quality of life and morale at sea (food, exercise, internet)
2. New UNOLS Goal - Develop a UNOLS Policy regarding Cyber Security, Infrastructure, and Bandwidth monitoring and usage.
Goals for 2017/2018:
1. Improve quality of life and morale at sea (food, exercise, fun, internet).
2. Ensure a smooth transition for the new UNOLS Office, including analysis of existing structure and suggestions for future changes.
Goals for 2015/2016:
1. To establish an ad hoc committee on Privacy, Pregnancy and Harassment. This committee will be charged with researching current policies and practices aboard UNOLS ships regarding protected personal information medical history forms, participation at sea for pregnant and provisions for nursing women, and other issues as identified. The committee will also work to make existing policies more transparent for all.
Goals for 2014/2015:
1. A broad spectrum of US industries have direct interests in oceanographic research, including those directly involved in manufacturing of ships and sensor systems, to data management and insurance companies. Since they benefit from NSF-supported research facilitated by UNOLS assets, we should partner with industry leaders in advocating for increasing (maintaining) Federal support of oceanographic research.
Goals for 2012/2013:
Goals for 2010/2011:
Goals for 2009/2010: