The Process
Federal agencies join the CESU National Council, then select individual CESUs with which to formally engage. Of the 15 federal agencies that are part of the CESU Network, 9 are currently affiliated with the North Atlantic Coast CESU.
Non-federal entities are welcome to consider membership, thereby further strengthening the natural and cultural resource disciplines, and expertise of the North Atlantic Coast CESU. Please contact the North Atlantic Coast CESU Director at The University of Rhode Island for an overview of the application process and details regarding the role and responsibilities of all non-federal partners. General guidance on “how to join the CESU” is provided by the National CESU Network, with guidance specific to the North Atlantic Coast CESU in these administrative documents.
Responsibilities of CESU Partners
Being affiliated with the North Atlantic Coast CESU, as a federal or non-federal partner, comes with important responsibilities aimed at insuring that our CESU continues to maintain excellence in serving the needs of participating federal agencies and endeavors to widely share the findings of our important efforts.
- Federal agencies and non-federal partners assign both a Technical Representative(s) and an Administrative Contact(s). These individuals are key to communication with the host university and federal agencies and within their institutions, as well as addressing all administrative matters
- Federal agencies offer funding opportunities, requests for technical assistance and general announcements (e.g., jobs); non-federal representatives promptly and widely share these requests throughout their respective institutions and respond to the requests as appropriate
- Engage students and other young-in-career colleagues on projects
- Federal and non-federal partners collaborate on the technical aspects of all projects
- Participate in the North Atlantic Coast CESU annual Management Committee meetings
- Review, sign, and process all administrative documents (e.g., cooperative agreements, amendments, modifications) in a timely manner
- The North Atlantic Coast CESU website serves as an important venue for information sharing among partners and to broader audiences. Federal and non-federal partners will respond to requests for project or personnel highlights, images, and other relevant content as the host university continually updates the website
- Provide information for the North Atlantic Coast CESU on-line project database, including publications, professional presentations, technical reports, public outreach, student involvement, and other project-related materials
Host Responsibilities
The host, University of Rhode Island, has some additional non-federal partner responsibilities.
- Facilitates communication and administration among partners and the National CESU Network Office
- Convenes Managers Committee meetings
- Participates in the Biennial CESU National Meeting (all partners are invited to attend)
- Hosts and maintains the North Atlantic Coast CESU website
- Provides office space and access to university facilities for the NPS CESU Research Coordinator
- Prepares the North Atlantic Coast CESU five-year self-assessment report, with input from all