Office of Communications records

The Office of Communications was created in 1990, and Sally K. Riggs became the first and only Director from August 1, 1990 to December 1993. Her responsibilities included overseeing the Public Information Office, Institution publications including Oceanus, media relations, the Exhibit Center, general public relations, and some aspects of the Institution’s governmental relations program. She was part of WHOI’s reorganization scheme started in the summer of 1990 by WHOI director, Craig Dorman, designed to create a better flow of information between WHOI and Falmouth. Hierarchically, the Communications Department came under the Associate Director for External Affairs ( Charles Hollister), and handled the "non-fund-raising, external affairs area", with the Development Office as the fund-raising arm.

Sallie Riggs and her assistant, Gail McPhee, hosted various people and groups, including congressional staff. She also worked with Development, Education, and Industrial and International Programs to support the Institution’s activities. She said "communications is at the heart of WHOI’s efforts to attract support, students, and new staff see my role as coordination and supporting the staff that has helped advance WHOI’s reputation and as providing new directions where appropriate." ( Ocean Views, fall 1990) The Communications Office closed in December 1993 due to a change in funding allocation.