Via the Climate Literacy Network:
Note: Petition to repeal this sequester event:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/repeal-sequesters-cuts-nasas-spending-public-outreach-and-its-stem-programs/kY7Tw85q
"Guidance for Education and Public
Outreach Activities Under Sequestration
· Posted Friday,
March 22, 2013
Subject:
Guidance for Education and Public Outreach Activities Under Sequestration
As you know, we have taken the first steps in addressing the mandatory spending
cuts called for in the Budget Control Act of 2011. The law mandates a series of
indiscriminate and significant across-the-board spending reductions totaling
$1.2 trillion over 10 years.
As a result, we are forced to implement a number of new cost-saving measures,
policies, and reviews in order to minimize impacts to the mission-critical
activities of the Agency. We have already provided new guidance regarding
conferences, travel, and training that reflect the new fiscal reality in which
we find ourselves. Some have asked for more specific guidance at it relates to
public outreach and engagement activities. That guidance is provided below.
Effective immediately, all education and public outreach activities should be
suspended, pending further review. In terms of scope, this includes all public
engagement and outreach events, programs, activities, and products developed
and implemented by Headquarters, Mission Directorates, and Centers across the
Agency, including all education and public outreach efforts conducted by
programs and projects.
The scope comprises activities intended to communicate, connect with, and
engage a wide and diverse set of audiences to raise awareness and involvement
in NASA, its goals, missions and programs, and to develop an appreciation for,
exposure to, and involvement in STEM. Audiences include employees, partners,
educators, students, and members of the general public. The scope encompasses,
but is not limited to:
- Programs, events, and workshops.
- Permanent and traveling exhibits, signage, and other materials.
- Speeches, presentations, and appearances, with the exception of technical
presentations by researchers at scientific and technical symposia.
- Video and multimedia products in development (and renewal of existing
products).
- Web and social media sites in development (excludes operational sites).
- External and internal publications, with the exception of Scientific and
Technical Information as defined by NPD 2200.1B.
- Any other activity whose goal is to reach out to external and internal
stakeholders and the public concerning NASA, its programs, and activities.
Additional information regarding the waiver and review process will be issued
by the Associate Administrators for Communications and Education. The Agency
has already made tough choices about conferences and travel. For those
activities planned to be held between the date of this memorandum through April
30, 2013, that your organization deems to be Agency mission-critical, the
Headquarters Offices of Communications and Education will conduct a waiver
process to promptly evaluate those specific efforts.
For future activities, the Offices of Communications and Education have
established a process to assess and determine, in light of the current budget
situation, what education and public outreach activities should be determined
Agency mission critical and thereby be continued or implemented. We are
requesting Mission Directorates and Headquarters organizations submit a summary
of activities, including those planned by their respective programs and
projects. We are also requesting that Centers submit a summary of
Center-sponsored or supported activities. For public outreach activities, these
should be submitted to David Weaver, Associate Administrator for
Communications, no later than April 15, 2013. For education activities, these
should be submitted to Leland Melvin, Associate Administrator for Education,
also no later than April 15, 2013. Required summary and waiver documentation is
being provided for distribution to Mission Directorates, Centers, programs, and
projects through the Communications and Education Coordinating Councils. The
Headquarters Office of Communications, working in conjunction with the Office
of Education, will review the requested data and will make a timely and
appropriate determination regarding what activities will go forward as planned.
This guidance is to be applied to all NASA employees, civil servants, and
contractors (working through their contract officers). Leadership in our
Centers, Mission Directorates, as well as individual program and project
managers are responsible for ensuring that all public engagement activities,
including the education and public outreach efforts conducted by programs and
projects, are suspended and submitted to the review process. This guidance
applies to existing and future efforts at least through the end of FY2013.
As our budgetary situation evolves over the coming months, NASA senior managers
will continue to review this guidance and adjust, as appropriate. We appreciate
your cooperation during this challenging fiscal period. Any questions on this
guidance should be directed to David Weaver, Associate Administrator for
Communications, Leland Melvin, Associate Administrator for Education. Dr.
Elizabeth Robinson, Chief Financial Officer, or David Radzanowski, Chief of
Staff. "
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