A.1.1 Organization of the Marine Biological Laboratory

Marine Biological Laboratory
Policy No. A.1.1

Initiated by: MBL Director
Approved by: MBL Director
Date: May 12, 2016
Distribution: All MBL Employees

1.0 Office of the Director:
Under the authority of and reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President and Director has responsibility for general supervision of and control of all aspects of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), its institutional mission, its operations, and its advancement. To carry out its mission in research and education, the MBL is organized into three divisions – Research, Education, and Operations – which report within the Office of the MBL Director. Within the Office of the Director, the mission and management of the MBL are aided by institutional advancement and communication.

• 1.1 Division of Research
  The Division of Research encompasses all research programs at the MBL, with oversight for the appointment of all scientists who perform research at the MBL, development and management of research services, research budgets, the assignment of research space, the disbursement of research awards and fellowships, training and education for the responsible conduct of scientific research, relevant regulatory functions, library services, and guidance for graduate and postdoctoral trainees.
  The Division is headed by a Division Director, who is appointed by and reports to the MBL Director.
• 1.2 Division of Education
  The Division of Education organizes and has authority over all educational programs and activities at the MBL, including the Discovery courses, Special Topics courses and workshops, student internships, all undergraduate programs, and all programs involving University of Chicago students.  The Division is headed by a Division Director, who is appointed by and reports to the MBL Director.
• 1.3 Division of Operations
  The Division of Operations has oversight and management responsibility for critical operating areas within the MBL, including the Departments of Finance, Human Resources, Facilities and Services, and Information Technology.
  The Division is headed by the Chief Operations Officer, who is appointed by and reports to the MBL Director.
• 1.4 Development and Communications
  Within the Office of the Director, the Department of Development and Communications has responsibility and oversight for all functions and activities related to institutional advancement at the MBL in conjunction with colleagues at the University of Chicago, including all fundraising activities, interactions with foundations, and relationships with relevant community groups and advisory bodies.
  The department is headed by the Chief Advancement Officer, who is appointed at MBL by and reports to the MBL Director.

2.0 Units Providing Advice and Recommendations to the MBL Director
The MBL Director, at his/her sole discretion and as informed by the MBL Bylaws, may form and appoint a variety of advisory units, councils, and committees to provide advice and counsel upon request. Such units include:

• 2.1 President’s Scientific Advisory Council
  The President’s Scientific Advisory Council (P-SAC) is an external advisory group that advises the MBL Director and senior management on matters pertaining to science at the MBL, both current and future. P-SAC is a council of up to ten members, appointed by the MBL Director and consisting of individuals known for scientific expertise and standing in their respective fields, combined with a thorough understanding of research management and strategy. Members of P-SAC provide advice on different research areas at the MBL, the MBL’s relationships to other institutions, and strategic integration across the MBL’s programs in both research and education. P-SAC will ordinarily meet no less than once per year.
• 2.2 Director’s Council
  Director’s Council consists of up to eight (8) resident scientists, directors of research units (see Policy A.1.2), or other senior leadership, as appointed by the MBL Director. Director’s Council will ordinarily meet no less than monthly during the traditional academic year.

3.0 Modification and Updates to the Organizational Structure
Modification to the organizational structure of the MBL may be made at the discretion of the MBL Director and/or at the direction of the MBL Board of Trustees, in accordance with the MBL Bylaws. Updates are available from the Office of the Director.