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Memorandum of Understanding

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region II Memorandum of Understanding with The University of Puerto Rico

INTRODUCTION

The United States has an ever-increasing need for well trained, qualified professionals in science, technology, and finance to meet the environmental needs of the future. At the same time, the number of students, particularly minorities, electing to pursue science and engineering majors is decreasing. Innovative strategies must be implemented to assure an adequate supply of highly-trained technical personnel for the accomplishment of environmental research and development programs. To help meet this objective, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being established between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the university of P.R. The purpose of this MOU is to formalize and strengthen the ties between the UPR and EPA in order to enhance the education and training of students and increase the relevance of university research to EPA's mission.

BACKGROUND

In order to meet the requirements of the Nation's research, environmental, and scientific needs, and the equally important national policy of full participation of all of our citizens, it is clear that the lack of full participation of Hispanics and other minorities should be addressed.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACUs) clearly offers a rich resource to provide the required institutional framework to address the problem of under-representation of Hispanics in scientific, engineering and finance fields, and the participation of Hispanics and other minorities in the Nation's environmental programs.

The Environmental Protection Agency began a sustained effort in 1981, seeking to increase the involvement and productivity of a number of able scientists and researchers in minority institutions who have the capability of contributing to environmental and scientific programs which support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mission. A relationship among several UPR faculty members and scientists has been established. This Memorandum of Understanding is an effort to develop a comprehensive program which will result in mutual benefit to the UPR and EPA.

The University of Puerto Rico is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and serves a nearly 100% Hispanic student population. The University's mission comprises the three classical functions of teaching, research and service. In teaching, the University's curricula are designed to meet the educational needs of island residents and the needs of the Commonwealth for professionals trained in many areas including teacher education, business, science and engineering. A major focus of the curriculum is on the social, economic, and political characteristics of the wider Caribbean. The research program of the University involves both basic and applied research. Because of the Caribbean emphasis, however, a substantial amount of research is focused on social and environmental phenomena of the Caribbean with a bent toward education, service, and policy development. In fulfilling its service function, the University is committed to serving the professional communities represented by academia, while also assisting government, business and community groups in addressing the environmental problems they face. This outreach function also includes promotion of economic development through partnerships with business and industry, in service training for public school teachers, and enlightenment and enrichment programs for the general public (e.g., environmental literacy). Overall, the University of Puerto Rico serves as an important intellectual and cultural center for a major segment of the community and contributes significantly to improving the quality of life for citizens throughout the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean.

GOAL

The goal of the EPA - UPR collaborative program described in this Memorandum of Understanding is the strengthening and growth of mutually beneficial scientific, technical and financial programs conducted jointly and independently by the University of Puerto Rico.

PROGRAM

Recognizing the unique resources offered by the UPR and the high potential for environmental science, research, and training programs in areas of interest to EPA, this Memorandum of Understanding is being initiated to formalize joint program activities that will assist the UPR to enhance its research and educational capabilities and assist EPA in achieving its mission. Among the areas under Consideration for joint program development are the following: waste management, environmental research, pesticides utilization, conservation and renewable natural resources, advanced information systems, public finance, public/private partnerships and other mutual areas of interest. As appropriate, EPA and the UPR will enter into individual agreements describing the provisions of specific projects or activities. The following activities are indicative of the type contemplated through this joint program:

  1. joint research projects.

  2. Faculty research participation.

  3. Student internships, cooperative, education and employment.

  4. Access to user facilities and other resources.

  5. Ad hoc technical assistance.

  6. Staff appointments, i.e. adjunct faculty and visiting scientists.

  7. Mini courses/seminars at the UPR by EPA professional staff members.

  8. Equipment loans to the UPR that support education, research & training programs.\

  1. JOINT RESEARCH PROJECTS

    The University of Puerto Rico will participate in research sponsored by EPA either through submitting proposals for grants and/or cooperative agreements directly to EPA's Office of Research and Development or through joint collaboration with other EPA components.

  2. FACULTY RESEARCH PARTICIPATION

    Visits of the UPR faculty, staff, and students to EPA facilities for consultations, meetings, workshops, short courses, and research participation will be encouraged and facilitated.By using available mechanisms, travel money maybe available for short term research visits. In addition, faculty appointments for summer or sabbatical periods may be sponsored when appropriate for longer-term research participation and collaboration.

  3. STUDENT INTERNSHIPS AND EMPLOYMENT

    The UPR students will be encouraged to take advantage of the many programs that exist at EPA operated facilities that are designed for student research participation and training. Current programs that allow undergraduate students to gain valuable experience and training during the academic year and/or the summer as cooperative education employees or as research interns will be encouraged. Graduate students can pursue thesis research in addition to graduate internships with EPA.

    In concert with EPA, the UPR will (a) identify graduate and undergraduate students who will participate in the co-op program, (b) develop a co-op curriculum in the computer science/ scientific/technical/financial research areas, and (c) provide guidelines for all aspects of the co-op program, e.g., respective institutional responsibilities, student responsibilities, credit contact hours, schedules, requirements and evaluations. EPA will request funds from theNational Program Managers to provide travel, subsistence and stipends for students each semester.

  4. ACCESS TO USER FACILITIES AND OTHER RESOURCES

    The UPR may access user facilities and other state of-the-art resources and instrumentation at EPA, subject to any pre-existing constraints on scheduling and type of research at each resource.

  5. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

    EPA will provide assistance to the UPR with development of proposals where those proposals relate to EPA's mission. EPA may visit the UPR for consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars.

  6. UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO/EPA STAFF/FACULTY APPOINTMENTS .

    Subject to the provisions of the UPR general regulations concerning faculty, the UPR will provide adjunct faculty appointments for EPA staff who are significantly participating in this program. EPA will grant visiting scientist status to the UPR staff members significantly participating in the program. Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignments of EPA employees to the UPR and of faculty members to EPA will be encouraged.

  7. MINI-COURSES/LECTURES/SEMINAR SPEAKERS

    EPA will provide resource persons to teach courses in computer science, biology, zoology, physical sciences, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, public finance and other courses based on EPA expertise and the UPR requirements.

  8. LOAN OF EQUIPMENT

    EPA will provide excess and surplus research, scientific equipment and office furniture to the UPR, that meet the needs of current and planned education, research and/or training programs, particularly in Engineering, Physical and Life Sciences Departments. The equipment loaned by EPA will remain the property of EPA until transferred to the UPR in accordance with Federal property regulations. The UPR, with separate research components, may participate in the equipment loan program. EPA will pay the cost of transporting equipment to the UPR or share the cost as agreed upon by EPA and the UPR. When EPA pays the full transportation cost, the gaining institution must present a statement certifying funds are not available to support moving the equipment.

PROGRAM DESIGN

This MOU is intended to provide a significant positive impact on the following areas: 1) the quality of science and technical education; 2) the relevance of the UPR research projects to EPA's environmental mission; 3) the problem of under-equipped university research facilities; and 4) the number of Hispanics and other minority students electing to pursue graduate study and research careers in science, engineering, finance and mathematics. It is expected that the UPR's capacity to develop environmental workers will be significantly enhanced while important contributions are made to EPA's overall research and development programs.

ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATION

This collaborative program will be administered through EPA'S Academic Relations Program (ARP) under the leadership of Herbert Barrack, who has been approved by the Deputy Administrator as the Campus Executive for the UPR. The Campus Executive will appoint a Planning Committee to assist him in implementing and monitoring the ARP. The committee will be comprised of both EPA and UPR staff. The primary responsibilities of the Committee include:

SUMMARY

The undersigned agree, on this 5th day of March, 1992, to the program described in this Memorandum of Understanding. We further agree that either party shall retain the right to withdraw from this MOU three months following the written notification to the other member.

Dr. Jose M. Saldana
President
University Of Puerto Rico

William K. Reilly
Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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