The Avery Point Campus, located adjacent to Long Island Sound, is uniquely positioned to provide national leadership in the study of the coastal marine environment. The University launched a new oceanographic research vessel, providing innovative monitoring capabilities to study complex ocean patterns existing in Long Island Sound. The impressive Marine Sciences Building, opened in fall 2001, houses an expanding Marine Sciences Program dedicated to researching the local and global consequences of environmental changes and the impact of human habitation on the coastline. Staffed by a renowned faculty that already nets nearly $4 million annually in research grants, the new facility, with three floors of state-of-the-art computer and laboratory capabilities, will help attract additional top-level scientists and students. And students will be better served by the extensive renovations taking place at the historic Branford House. This campus landmark will now house all administrative offices, providing a one-stop service facility for students.