Scientific Staff Executive Committee (SciSEC) records

In 1989, the Senior Scientists of the Institution began meeting regularly as a group to discuss issues of Institution-wide interest. As noted in the WHOI "blue book" on promotion and appointment, the senior scientists are charged with demonstrating "concern for the scientific and educational vitality of the Institution" and are responsible for "leadership, influence, and advice to promote the attainment of the highest scientific standards within the Institution and the field." To further these aims, on December 3, 1990, the senior scientists decided to form an executive committee, elected from the larger group, to provide continuity and efficiency to their deliberations and to improve the efficacy of the interactions between the scientific staff and the Institution administration. An initial group of six senior scientists were elected the following spring, and the committee began its work.

In the late 1990's, the Senior Scientist Executive Committee (SSEC) began to meet weekly to discuss and examine issues of importance to the Institution and meet regularly with the Director and the Associate Director for Research. In meetings with these and other members of the administration, the SSEC attempted to serve as an independent means by which the entire Institution scientific staff and administration can interact. The SSEC also convened regular meetings with the full body of the Senior Scientists, and met annually with the chairs of the Staff and the Graded and Marine Personnel Committees.

In spring 2000, after discussions with the Institution senior and tenured associate scientists, the SSEC decided to broaden its base of representation to include all tenured scientific staff, and on July 10, voted to change its name to the Tenured Scientist Executive Committee (TenSEC). In fall, 2005 the committee voted to again broaden its base, extending it to all scienfic staff, and changing its name to the Scientific Staff Executive Committee.