[asapmembers] University of Central Florida to manage the Arecibo Observatory

[ASAP Secretary]

Dear ASAP Members,
	The NSF Astronomy Division announced the results of their 
management re-competition for Arecibo this week, and the result is 
that the University of Central Florida (UCF) will be the lead partner 
with Yang Enterprises (YEI) and Universidad Metropolitana (UMET) 
in secondary roles.  (UCF announcement)  The transition to UCF 
management is scheduled to occur on April 1st.

	Prof. Ray Lugo, Director or the UCF Florida Space Institute, will 
be the head and UCF Prof. Yanga Fernández the Principal Investigator.  
Eng. Francisco Córdova will continue as Observatory Director under 
UCF, Christiano Brum the on-site Director of Science for all three areas: 
radio astronomy, atmospheric and planetary studies.  Sr. Felipe Soberal 
will lead the YEI team, which will have responsibility for maintenance, 
electronics, IT and telescope operations.  Sr. Andy Ortez will lead the 
UMET Education and Public Outreach Activities and while continuing 
to manage the Science and Visitors Center.

	The new management will continue investigations in all three of 
Arecibo’s science areas as above.  The management will remain in 
Puerto Rico.  The NSF RFP opened the possibility that ownership of 
the Observatory might be transferred, but apparently no formal agree-
ment has yet been reached on this question.  Of course, the new AO 
managers will have to cope with a steep decline in the level of funding 
by the NSF.

	Final good news is that the Observatory expects $14.3 million 
in funding for hurricane relief.  The AO budget for this relief has been 
submitted to the NSF for approval by the Congress.  AO is now back 
on grid power but the high speed internet fibre reconnection is still to
happen.

	The ASAP Board is in the process of making contact with the new 
management team, and several ASAP Board members plan to be at 
Arecibo during the week of the management transition.  
	
		Best regards,
			Secretary

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