Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Hearing, 5681-5682 [07-531]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 7, 2007 / Notices automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses. Comments A 60-day public comment Notice was published in the Federal Register on Thursday, November 9, 2006. This comment period ended January 8, 2007. No public comments were received from this notice. Description: The Corporation is seeking approval of the Application Instructions for State Administrative Funds, Program Development Assistance and Training, and Disability Placement which will be used by state commissions to apply for funds to support activities related to administration, training, and access for people with disabilities. Type of Review: Renewal. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service. Title: Application Instructions for State Administrative Funds, Program Development Assistance and Training, and Disability Placement. OMB Number: 3049–0099. Agency Number: None. Affected Public: State commissions. Total Respondents: 54. Frequency: Every three (3) years. Average Time Per Response: 24 hours. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1296 hours. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None. Dated: February 2, 2007. Kristin McSwain, Director, AmeriCorps State and National. [FR Doc. E7–2033 Filed 2–6–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Hearing Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education. ACTION: Notice of upcoming hearing. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming hearing of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance (The Advisory Committee). Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the hearing (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:36 Feb 06, 2007 Jkt 211001 should notify the Advisory Committee no later than Monday, February 26, 2007, by contacting Ms. Hope Gray at (202) 219–2099 or via e-mail at Hope.Gray@ed.gov. We will attempt to meet requests after this date, but cannot guarantee availability of the requested accommodation. The hearing site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice of this hearing is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public. DATE AND TIME: Monday, March 5, 2007, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 3 p.m. ADDRESSES: College of the Canyons, Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California 91355. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Erin B. Renner, Director of Government Relations or Ms. Julie J. Johnson, Assistant Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW., Suite 413, Washington, DC 20202–7582, (202) 219–2099. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance is established under Section 491 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Public Law 100–50 (20 U.S.C. 1098). The Advisory Committee serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to the Congress and the Secretary of Education on student financial aid policy. Since its inception, the congressional mandate requires the Advisory Committee to conduct objective, nonpartisan, and independent analyses on important aspects of the student assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and to make recommendations that will result in the maintenance of access to postsecondary education for low- and middle-income students. In addition, Congress expanded the Advisory Committee’s mission in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to include several important areas; Access, Title IV modernization, distance education, and early information and needs assessment. Specifically, the Advisory Committee is to review, monitor and evaluate the Department of Education’s progress in these areas and report recommended improvements to Congress and the Secretary. The Advisory Committee has scheduled the hearing on Monday, March 5 in Santa Clarita, CA to conduct activities related to its congressionally PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5681 requested study to make textbooks more affordable (Textbook Study). This oneyear study, which was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor (formerly Education and the Workforce), will investigate further the problem of rising textbook prices; determine the impact of rising textbook prices on students’ ability to afford a postsecondary education; and make recommendations to Congress, the Secretary, and other stakeholders on what can be done to make textbooks more affordable for students. Over the course of the study, the Committee will conduct three field hearings that will include testimony from stakeholders around the country who are currently working to make textbooks more affordable for students. The proposed agenda includes expert testimony and discussions by prominent higher education community leaders, state representatives, and institutions that will share what they are doing to make textbooks more affordable for students. The Advisory Committee will also conduct a public comment and discussion session. The Advisory Committee invites the public to submit written comments on the Textbook Study to the following email address: ACSFA@ed.gov. Information regarding the Textbook Study will also be available on the Advisory Committee’s Web site, https:// www.ed.gov/ACSFA. To be included in the hearing materials, we must receive your comments on or before Monday, February 26, 2007; additional comments should be provided to the Committee no later than April 9, 2007. Space for the hearing is limited and you are encouraged to register early if you plan to attend. You may register by sending an e-mail to the following address: ACSFA@ed.gov or Tracy.Deanna.Jones@ed.gov. Please include your name, title, affiliation, complete address (including internet and e-mail address, if available), and telephone and fax numbers. If you are unable to register electronically, you may fax your registration information to the Advisory Committee staff office at (202) 219–3032. You may also contact the Advisory Committee staff directly at (202) 219–2099. The registration deadline is Friday, February 23, 2007. Records are kept for Advisory Committee proceedings, and are available for inspection at the Office of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW.—Suite 413, Washington, DC, from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Information regarding the E:\FR\FM\07FEN1.SGM 07FEN1 5682 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 7, 2007 / Notices Advisory Committee is available on the Committee’s Web site, www.ed.gov/ ACSFA. Dated: February 1, 2007. Dr. William J. Goggin, Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. [FR Doc. 07–531 Filed 2–6–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–M ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION Information Collection Activity; Study of Voter Hotlines Operated by Election Offices U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). ACTION: Notice; request for comments. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: The EAC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed information collection. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before April 6, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection in writing to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005, ATTN: Ms. Laiza N. Otero (or via the Internet at lotero@eac.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the survey instrument, please, write to the above address or call Ms. Laiza N. Otero at (202) 566–3100. You may also view the proposed collection instrument by visiting our Web site at www.eac.gov. VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:36 Feb 06, 2007 Jkt 211001 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Study of Voter Hotlines Operated by Election Offices. OMB Number: Pending. Type of Review: Regular submission. Needs and Uses: Section 241(b)(9) of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to periodically study election administration issues, including methods of educating voters about the process of registering to vote and voting, the operation of voting mechanisms, the location of polling places, and all other aspects of participating in elections. Furthermore, Section 245(a)(2)(C) of HAVA indicates that the EAC may investigate the impact new communications or Internet technology systems used in the electoral process could have on voter participation rates, voter education, and public accessibility. In 2005, the EAC undertook a research study of voter hotline data available online to determine trends. At the time a voter hotline was defined as a toll-free line that connects voters with elections offices, which then disseminate information and educate voters. The EAC found several hotlines in operation during the 2004 Presidential election, and their sponsorship and capabilities varied to a great degree. To build on and augment these research findings, the EAC wishes to conduct a study to determine the current state of voter information hotlines that are operated by Federal, State, and local election offices. The definition of voter hotline has been broadened to include data from government agencies that employ non-toll free interactive phone systems to provide services to voters and pollworkers and to receive information from callers. Affected Public: Federal, State, and local election offices. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,500. Responses per Respondent: 1. Estimated Burden per Response: 1 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 6,500 hours. Information will be collected through a survey of existing hotline services operated by Federal, State, and local government agencies and election offices during the 2006 primary and general elections. The data collected will include information on voter hotlines operated by election offices and their features, including, but not limited to: 1. Basic Information. Hotline hours of operation, type of information available through the hotline, automated or non- PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 automated service, links to other sources of voting information. 2. Costs. Breakdown of cost based on volume, cost of database maintenance per record, and all personnel and administrative costs of the service. 3. Features. Important factors include, but are not limited to: (1) Languages used, (2) disability-compliant features, (3) touch tone and voice services, (4) voice response options, and (5) ability for interactivity with additional databases (for example interactivity with a voter registration database). 4. Network Capacity. Number of calls capable of being routed per hour and the number of incoming calls that can be received. 5. Call Tracking. How calls are logged or tracked, how they are routed, and the types or categories of calls received. 6. Hotline personnel. Number of hotline operators and methods by which hotline operators are trained, the frequency of their training and how they are monitored for accuracy, currency, security, and other critical performance variables. 7. Methods by which the network operator maintains the accuracy and currency of the data. Important factors include, but are not limited to how reqularly updates are made and qualitycontrol procedures. 8. Maintenance agreements with service providers. Percentage of hotlines that outsource all or part of the Hotline, and experiences working with contractors? 9. Timelines for database creation, contractor integration, and final testing before launch. 10. Security measures to ensure that data in the call-routing network is confidential. 11. Other information such as: Who the intended audience is; demographic, political and socioeconomic information of the community served; cost of publicizing the service and effectiveness of various publicity methods; and lessons learned. A report on the key findings of the study, along with recommendations for the development and implementation of voter hotlines, will be made available to election officials and the public at the conclusion of this effort. The report will include a state-by-state compendium of the existing voter hotlines and their features. The report will be made available on the EAC Web site at https://www.eac.gov. Thomas R. Wilkey, Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance Commission. [FR Doc. 07–533 Filed 2–6–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–KF–M E:\FR\FM\07FEN1.SGM 07FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5681-5682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-531]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance: Hearing

AGENCY: Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Education.

ACTION: Notice of upcoming hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a 
forthcoming hearing of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance (The Advisory Committee). Individuals who will need 
accommodations for a disability in order to attend the hearing (i.e., 
interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in 
alternative format) should notify the Advisory Committee no later than 
Monday, February 26, 2007, by contacting Ms. Hope Gray at (202) 219-
2099 or via e-mail at Hope.Gray@ed.gov. We will attempt to meet 
requests after this date, but cannot guarantee availability of the 
requested accommodation. The hearing site is accessible to individuals 
with disabilities. This notice also describes the functions of the 
Advisory Committee. Notice of this hearing is required under Section 
10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is 
intended to notify the general public.

DATE AND TIME: Monday, March 5, 2007, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending 
at approximately 3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: College of the Canyons, Performing Arts Center, 26455 
Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California 91355.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Erin B. Renner, Director of 
Government Relations or Ms. Julie J. Johnson, Assistant Director, 
Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F 
Street, NW., Suite 413, Washington, DC 20202-7582, (202) 219-2099.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committee on Student Financial 
Assistance is established under Section 491 of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 as amended by Public Law 100-50 (20 U.S.C. 1098). The Advisory 
Committee serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to the 
Congress and the Secretary of Education on student financial aid 
policy. Since its inception, the congressional mandate requires the 
Advisory Committee to conduct objective, nonpartisan, and independent 
analyses on important aspects of the student assistance programs under 
Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and to make recommendations that 
will result in the maintenance of access to postsecondary education for 
low- and middle-income students. In addition, Congress expanded the 
Advisory Committee's mission in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 
to include several important areas; Access, Title IV modernization, 
distance education, and early information and needs assessment. 
Specifically, the Advisory Committee is to review, monitor and evaluate 
the Department of Education's progress in these areas and report 
recommended improvements to Congress and the Secretary.
    The Advisory Committee has scheduled the hearing on Monday, March 5 
in Santa Clarita, CA to conduct activities related to its 
congressionally requested study to make textbooks more affordable 
(Textbook Study). This one-year study, which was requested by the U.S. 
House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor (formerly 
Education and the Workforce), will investigate further the problem of 
rising textbook prices; determine the impact of rising textbook prices 
on students' ability to afford a postsecondary education; and make 
recommendations to Congress, the Secretary, and other stakeholders on 
what can be done to make textbooks more affordable for students. Over 
the course of the study, the Committee will conduct three field 
hearings that will include testimony from stakeholders around the 
country who are currently working to make textbooks more affordable for 
students.
    The proposed agenda includes expert testimony and discussions by 
prominent higher education community leaders, state representatives, 
and institutions that will share what they are doing to make textbooks 
more affordable for students. The Advisory Committee will also conduct 
a public comment and discussion session.
    The Advisory Committee invites the public to submit written 
comments on the Textbook Study to the following e-mail address: 
ACSFA@ed.gov. Information regarding the Textbook Study will also be 
available on the Advisory Committee's Web site, https://www.ed.gov/
ACSFA. To be included in the hearing materials, we must receive your 
comments on or before Monday, February 26, 2007; additional comments 
should be provided to the Committee no later than April 9, 2007.
    Space for the hearing is limited and you are encouraged to register 
early if you plan to attend. You may register by sending an e-mail to 
the following address: ACSFA@ed.gov or Tracy.Deanna.Jones@ed.gov. 
Please include your name, title, affiliation, complete address 
(including internet and e-mail address, if available), and telephone 
and fax numbers. If you are unable to register electronically, you may 
fax your registration information to the Advisory Committee staff 
office at (202) 219-3032. You may also contact the Advisory Committee 
staff directly at (202) 219-2099. The registration deadline is Friday, 
February 23, 2007.
    Records are kept for Advisory Committee proceedings, and are 
available for inspection at the Office of the Advisory Committee on 
Student Financial Assistance, Capitol Place, 80 F Street, NW.--Suite 
413, Washington, DC, from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Information regarding the

[[Page 5682]]

Advisory Committee is available on the Committee's Web site, 
www.ed.gov/ACSFA.

    Dated: February 1, 2007.
Dr. William J. Goggin,
Executive Director, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance.
[FR Doc. 07-531 Filed 2-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-M
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