Hatfield Marine Science Center's Mission Statement
The Hatfield Marine Science Center is Oregon State University’s campus for research, education, and outreach in marine and coastal sciences. Through its partnerships, HMSC improves scientific understanding of marine systems, coastal processes and resources, and applies this knowledge to social, economic, and environmental issues.
As a leading marine laboratory in the Pacific Northwest, HMSC has the expertise, technology, and responsibility to address important issues of high economic, scientific, and aesthetic value in marine and coastal systems. Its locality, ready access to the ocean and richness of partners – agencies, industry, and constituencies – create a physical and intellectual campus known for multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach that is world-
class and international in scope. Hands-on educational opportunities train the marine science leaders of tomorrow, and outreach transfers knowledge to the public sector using new and compelling approaches. The HMSC is the essential coastal link needed to achieve the goals of Oregon State University’s strategic plan.
Vision
The Hatfield Marine Science Center, as a key component of OSU’s internationally recognized coastal and marine programs, will be the leading marine laboratory in the nation for collaborative approaches to marine and coastal issues by creating partnerships among academic institutions, government research agencies, industries, and communities.
The Hatfield Marine Science Center is internationally recognized for its interdisciplinary approaches to marine and coastal issues and serves as a national model for academic- government-industry collaboration in research, education, and outreach. HMSC embodies OSU’s commitment to serve the people of Oregon, the nation, and the world by promoting knowledge-based conservation, management, and sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources as well as stimulating the economic development of coastal communities. The essential qualities that promote this vision include:
- Unique integration of location, collaborative culture, and engaged communities to attract diverse groups (students, scientists, educators, public, agencies, industry, foundations) and promote productive partnerships;
- Research infrastructure and expertise to improve our basic understanding of coastal systems, processes, and natural resource integration;
- Innovative programs with a global audience that engage the public, educate students, train future leaders in integrated coastal science, policy and management, and promote lifelong learning;
- Seamless integration of research, education, and outreach to meet the needs of a diverse constituency; and
- Understanding Oregon’s diverse coastal resources by exploring the continuum of ecosystems from the headwaters of coastal watersheds to the deep sea.
Core Values
The faculty, students, and staff of HMSC strive to work by a strongly shared set of beliefs. These core values serve as continuing guideposts for our research, teaching, community outreach and involvement. OSU’s core values of accountability, diversity, integrity, respect, and social responsibility are the standards for all members of our academic community, and provide the foundation on which HMSC’s own core values stand:
- We value stewardship of the marine environment. Our efforts focus on fostering respect, understanding and stewardship of the marine environment and its resources.
- We value scholarship and research excellence. Our research is based on the principles of cutting edge exploration, scientific rigor, and professional integrity.
- We value collaborative partnerships. Our research, teaching, and outreach is collaborative, emphasizing strong partnerships with agency scientists, industry, community, and with OSU faculty integrating across academic disciplines.
- We value making a positive impact on the community. Our professional and personal contributions must positively impact the social, economic, and environmental conditions of the communities we serve.
- We value effective learning and engagement. Our access to marine and coastal environments and communities is central to hands-on learning. Our scholarship and research must be communicated in an effective and timely manner to each other and the communities we serve.