The visionary plan of the University of South Florida to establish the Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence in Environmental and Oceanographic Sciences at its St. Petersburg campus will have tremendous benefits for the region and the country. This remarkable resource should be supported by the Florida Legislature and Tampa Bay residents.
The nation is concerned about ocean pollution, rising sea levels and Red Tide, as well as sustainable fisheries. USF is in a unique position to help society meet these fundamental problems. It is asking the Legislature $60 million in public money to fund the proposed $80million Environmental & Oceanographic Sciences Research & Teaching Facility. It would be smart to invest public money and it would complement the decades-old work of the College of Marine Science.
The College of Marine Science was awarded almost $40 million in public funds to respond to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil leakage. This is the largest grant given to an academic institution in the Gulf. We were also present at Piney Point last year, providing in real-time the science necessary to guide a rapid response to the hundreds and millions of gallons (and possibly more) of nutrient-laden waste water that was released into Tampa Bay.
The College of Marine Sciences would be able to integrate the new center of excellence with its work. The Florida Flood Hub, established last year by Congress, would be housed at the facility. It would also include rehabilitated laboratories and classrooms that will support the research on oceans, coasts, and other relevant topics to help make smart decisions about the sustainability and future of our oceans as well as our communities.
There is no doubt that the center of excellence and the new facility, which is located next to the College of Marine Science (St. Petersburg), would attract highly qualified students and faculty. It would also encourage innovation and investment in the private sector. We have witnessed the passion and ingenuity of students and scientists in addressing the challenges facing the oceans as deans of the College of Marine Science. We also know that working together, through collaborations between elected leaders, government institutions, the St. Pete Innovation District, and other business leaders, we increase our collective ability to address these challenges.
We are grateful for Chris Sprowls’ leadership in this project. We urge Gov. We urge Governor.
All three writers served as deans of the University of South Florida College of Marine Science: Jacqueline Dixon, William Hogarth (2008-2010), and Peter Betzer (2001–2008).
