[Title 45 CFR XXIV]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 1996 Edition]
[Title 45 - PUBLIC WELFARE]
[Subtitle B - Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued)]
[Chapter XXIV - JAMES MADISON MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




  45
  PUBLIC WELFARE
  4
  1996-10-01
  1996-10-01
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  JAMES MADISON MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION
  XXIV
  CHAPTER XXIV
  
    PUBLIC WELFARE
    Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued)
  


       CHAPTER XXIV--JAMES MADISON MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION




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Part                                                                Page
2400            Fellowship Program Requirements.............         590
2490            Enforcement of nondiscrimination on the 
                    basis of handicap in programs or 
                    activities conducted by the James 
                    Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation..         600

[[Page 590]]



Part 2400--Fellowship Program Requirements--Table of Contents




                           Subpart A--General

2400.1  Purposes.
2400.2  Annual competition.
2400.3  Eligibility.
2400.4  Definitions.

                         Subpart B--Application

2400.10  Application.
2400.11  Faculty representatives.

                     Subpart C--Application Process

2400.20  Preparation of application.
2400.21  Contents of application.
2400.22  Application deadline.

                     Subpart D--Selection of Fellows

2400.30  Selection criteria.
2400.31  Selection process.

                        Subpart E--Graduate Study

2400.40  Institutions of graduate study.
2400.41  Degree programs.
2400.42  Approval of Plan of Study.
2400.43  Required courses of graduate study.
2400.44  Commencement of graduate study.
2400.45  Special consideration: Junior Fellows' Plan of study.
2400.46  Special consideration: second master's degrees.
2400.47  Summer Institute's relationship to fellowship.
2400.48  Fellows' participation in the Summer Institute.
2400.49  Contents of the Summer Institute.
2400.50  Allowances and Summer Institute costs.
2400.51  Summer Institute accreditation.

                      Subpart F--Fellowship Stipend

2400.52  Amount of stipend.
2400.53  Duration of stipend.
2400.54  Use of stipend.
2400.55  Certification for stipend.
2400.56  Payment of stipend.
2400.57  Termination of stipend.
2400.58  Repayment of stipend.

                      Subpart G--Special Conditions

2400.59  Other awards.
2400.60  Renewal of award.
2400.61  Postponement of award.
2400.62  Evidence of master's degree.
2400.63  Excluded graduate study.
2400.64  Alterations to Plan of Study.
2400.65  Teaching obligation.
2400.66  Completion of fellowship.

    Authority: 20 U.S.C. 4501 et. seq.

    Source: 61 FR 46734, Sept. 5, 1996, unless otherwise noted.



Subpart A--General--Table of Contents


Sec. 2400.1  Purposes.

    (a) The purposes of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Program 
are to:
    (1) Provide incentives for master's degree level graduate study of 
the history, principles, and development of the United States 
Constitution by outstanding in-service teachers of American history, 
American government, social studies, and political science in grades 7-
12 and by outstanding college graduates who plan to become teachers of 
the same subjects; and
    (2) Strengthen teaching in the nation's secondary schools about the 
principles, framing, ratification, and subsequent history of the United 
States Constitution.
    (b) The Foundation may from time to time operate its own programs 
and undertake other closely-related activities to fulfill these goals.



Sec. 2400.2  Annual competition.

    To achieve its principal purposes, the Foundation holds an annual 
national competition to select teachers in grades 7-12, college seniors, 
and college graduates to be James Madison Fellows.



Sec. 2400.3  Eligibility.

    Individuals eligible to apply for and hold James Madison Fellowships 
are United States citizens, United States nationals, or permanent 
residents of the Northern Mariana Islands who are:
    (a) Teachers of American history, American government, social 
studies, or political science in grades 7-12 who:
    (1) Are teaching full time during the year in which they apply for a 
fellowship;
    (2) Are under contract, or can provide evidence of being under 
prospective contract, to teach full time as teachers of American 
history, American government, social studies, or political science in 
grades 7-12;
    (3) Have demonstrated records of willingness to devote themselves 
to 

[[Page 591]]

civic responsibilities and to professional and collegial activities 
within their schools and school districts;
    (4) Are highly recommended by their department heads, school heads, 
school district superintendents, or other supervisors;
    (5) Qualify for admission with graduate standing at accredited 
universities of their choice that offer master's degree programs 
allowing at least 12 semester hours or their equivalent of study of the 
origins, principles, and development of the Constitution of the United 
States and of its comparison with the constitutions of other forms of 
government;
    (6) Are able to complete their proposed courses of graduate study 
within five calendar years from the commencement of study under their 
fellowships, normally through part-time study during summers or in 
evening or weekend programs;
    (7) Agree to attend the Foundation's four-week Summer Institute on 
the Constitution, normally during the summer following the commencement 
of study under their fellowships; and
    (8) Sign agreements that, after completing the education for which 
the fellowship is awarded, they will teach American history, American 
government, social studies, or political science full time in secondary 
schools for a period of not less than one year for each full academic 
year of study for which assistance was received, preferably in the state 
listed as their legal residence at the time of their fellowship award. 
For the purposes of this provision, a full academic year of study is the 
number of credit hours determined by each university at which Fellows 
are studying as constituting a full year of study at that university. 
Fellows' teaching obligations will be figured at full academic years of 
study; and when Fellows have studies for partial academic years, those 
years will be rounded upward to the nearest one-half year to determine 
Fellows' total teaching obligations.
    (b) Those who aspire to become full-time teachers of American 
history, American government, social studies, or political science in 
grades 7-12 who:
    (1) Are matriculated college seniors pursuing their baccalaureate 
degrees full time and will receive those degrees no later than August 
31st of the year of the fellowship competition in which they apply or 
prior recipients of baccalaureate degrees;
    (2) Plan to begin graduate study on a full-time basis;
    (3) Have demonstrated records of willingness to devote themselves to 
civic responsibilities;
    (4) Are highly recommended by faculty members, deans, or other 
persons familiar with their potential for graduate study of American 
history and government and with their serious intention to enter the 
teaching profession as secondary school teachers of American history, 
American government, social studies, or political science in grades 7-
12;
    (5) Qualify for admission with graduate standing at accredited 
universities of their choice that offer master's degree programs that 
allow at least 12 semester hours or their equivalent of study of the 
origins, principles, and development of the Constitution of the United 
States and of its comparison with the constitutions and history of other 
forms of government;
    (6) Are able to complete their proposed courses of graduate study in 
no more than two calendar years from the commencement of study under 
their fellowships, normally through full-time study;
    (7) Agree to attend the Foundation's four-week Summer Institute on 
the Constitution, normally during the summer following the commencement 
of study under their fellowships; and
    (8) Sign an agreement that, after completing the education for which 
the fellowship is awarded, they will teach American history, American 
government, social studies, or political science full time in secondary 
schools for a period of not less than one year for each full academic 
year of study for which assistance was received, preferably in the state 
listed as their legal residence at the time of their fellowship award. 
For the purposes of this provision, a full academic year of study is the 
number of credit hours determined by each university at which Fellows 
are studying as constituting a full

[[Page 592]]

year of study at that university. Fellows' teaching obligations will be 
figured at full academic years of study; and when Fellows have studies 
for partial academic years, those years will be rounded upward to the 
nearest one-half year to determine Fellows' total teaching obligations.



Sec. 2400.4  Definitions.

    As used in this part:
    Academic year means the period of time in which a full-time student 
would normally complete two semesters, two trimesters, three quarters, 
or their equivalent of study.
    Act means the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Act.
    College means an institution of higher education offering only a 
baccalaureate degree or the undergraduate division of a university in 
which a student is pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
    Credit Hour Equivalent means the number of graduate credit hours 
obtained in credits, courses or units during a quarter, a trimester, or 
a semester which are needed to equal a specific number of semester 
graduate credit hours.
    Fee means a typical and usually non-refundable charge levied by an 
institution of higher education for a service, privilege, or use of 
property which is required for a Fellow's enrollment and registration.
    Fellow means a recipient of a fellowship from the Foundation.
    Fellowship means an award, called a James Madison Fellowship, made 
to a person by the Foundation for graduate study.
    Foundation means the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation.
    Full-time study means study for an enrolled student who is carrying 
a full-time academic workload as determined by the institution under a 
standard applicable to all students enrolled in a particular educational 
program.
    Graduate study means the courses of study beyond the baccalaureate 
level, which are offered as part of a university's master's degree 
program and which lead to a master's degree.
    Incomplete means a course which the Foundation has paid for but the 
Fellow has received an incomplete grade or the Fellow has not received 
graduate credit for the course.
    Institution of higher education has the meaning given in Section 
1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).
    Junior Fellowship means a James Madison Fellowship granted either to 
a college senior or to a college graduate who has received a 
baccalaureate degree and who seeks to become a secondary school teacher 
of American history, American government, social studies, or political 
science for full-time graduate study toward a master's degree whose 
course of study emphasizes the framing, principles, history, and 
interpretation of the United States Constitution.
    Master's degree means the first pre-doctoral graduate degree offered 
by a university beyond the baccalaureate degree, for which the 
baccalaureate degree is a prerequisite.
    Matriculated means formally enrolled in a master's degree program in 
a university.
    Repayment means if the fellowship is relinquished by the fellow or 
is terminated by the Foundation prior to the completion of the Fellow's 
degree, and/or the Fellow fails to fulfill the teaching obligation after 
the graduate degree is awarded, the Fellow must repay to the Foundation 
all Fellowship costs received plus interest at a rate of 6% per annum 
and, if applicable, reasonable collection fees.
    Resident means a person who has legal residence in the state, 
recognized under state law. If a question arises concerning a Fellow's 
state of residence, the Foundation determines, for the purposes of this 
program, of which state the person is a resident, taking into account 
the Fellow's place of registration to vote, his or her parent's place of 
residence, and the Fellow's eligibility for in-state tuition rates at 
public institutions of higher education.
    Satisfactory progress for a Junior Fellow means the completion of 
the number of required courses normally expected of full-time master's 
degree candidates at the university that the Fellow attends, with grades 
acceptable to that university, in not more than two calendar years from 
the commencement of that study. Satisfactory

[[Page 593]]

progress for a Senior Fellow means the completion each year of a 
specific number of required courses in the Fellow's master's degree 
program, as agreed upon each year with the Foundation and outlined on 
the Plan of Study form, with grades acceptable to the Fellow's 
university, in not more than five calendar years from the commencement 
of that study.
    Secondary school means grades 7 through 12.
    Senior means a student at the academic level recognized by an 
institution of higher education as being the last year of study before 
receiving the baccalaureate degree.
    Senior Fellowship means a James Madison Fellowship granted to a 
secondary school teacher of American history, American government, 
social studies, or political science for part-time graduate study toward 
a master's degree whose course of study emphasizes the framing, 
principles, history, and interpretation of the United States 
Constitution.
    State means each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, 
the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands, and, until adoption of its Compact of Free 
Association, the Republic of Palau.
    Stipend means the amount paid by the Foundation to a Fellow or on 
his or her behalf to pay the allowable costs of graduate study which 
have been approved under the fellowship.
    Teaching Obligation means that a Fellow, upon receiving a master's 
degree, must teach American history, American government, social 
studies, or political science on a full-time basis to students in 
secondary school for a period of not less than one year for each year 
for which financial assistance was received.
    Term means the period--semester, trimester, or quarter--used by an 
institution of higher education to divide its academic year.
    Termination means the non-voluntary ending of a fellowship by the 
Foundation when the Fellow has not complied with the rules and 
regulations of the fellowship or has not made satisfactory progress in 
his or her program of study.
    University means an institution of higher education that offers 
post-baccalaureate degrees.
    Withdrawal means the voluntary relinquishment or surrender of a 
Fellowship by the Fellow.



                         Subpart B--Application



Sec. 2400.10  Application.

    Eligible applicants for fellowships must apply directly to the 
Foundation.



Sec. 2400.11  Faculty Representatives.

    Each college and university that chooses to do so may annually 
appoint or reappoint a faculty representative who will be asked to 
identify and recruit fellowship applicants on campus, publicize the 
annual competition on campus, and otherwise assist eligible candidates 
in preparation for applying. In order to elicit the appointment of 
faculty representatives, the Foundation will each year request the head 
of each college and university campus to appoint or reappoint a faculty 
representative and to provide the Foundation with the name, business 
address, and business telephone number of a member of its faculty 
representative on forms provided for that purpose.



                     Subpart C--Application Process



Sec. 2400.20  Preparation of application.

    Applications, on forms mailed directly by the Foundation to those 
who request applications, must be completed by all fellowship candidates 
in order that they be considered for an award.



Sec. 2400.21  Contents of application.

    Applications must include for
    (a) Senior Fellowships:
    (1) Supporting information which affirms an applicant's wish to be 
considered for a fellowship; provides information about his or her 
background, interests, goals, and the school in which he or she teaches; 
and includes a statement about the applicant's educational plans and 
specifies how those plans will

[[Page 594]]

enhance his or her career as a secondary school teacher of American 
history, American government, social studies, or political science;
    (2) An essay of up to 600 words that explains the importance of the 
study of the Constitution to:
    (i) Young students;
    (ii) The applicant's career aspirations and his or her contributions 
to public service; and
    (iii) Citizenship generally in a constitutional republic;
    (3) The applicant's proposed course of graduate study, including the 
name of the degree to be sought, the required courses to be taken, as 
well as information about the specific degree sought;
    (4) Three evaluations, one from an immediate supervisor, that attest 
to the applicant's strengths and abilities as a teacher in grades 7-12; 
and
    (5) A copy of his or her academic transcript.
    (b) Junior Fellowships:
    (1) Supporting information which affirms an applicant's wish to be 
considered for a fellowship; provides information about the applicant's 
background, interests, goals, and the college which he or she attends or 
attended; and includes a statement about the applicant's educational 
plans and specifies how those plans will lead to a career as a teacher 
of American history, American government, social studies, or political 
science in grades 7-12;
    (2) An essay of up to 600 words that explains the importance of the 
study of the Constitution to:
    (i) Young students;
    (ii) The applicant's career aspirations and his or her contribution 
to public service; and
    (iii) Citizenship generally in a constitutional republic;
    (3) Applicant's proposed course of graduate study, including the 
name of the degree sought, the name of the required courses to be taken, 
and information about the specific degree sought;
    (4) Three evaluations that attest to the applicant's academic 
achievements and to his or her potential to become an outstanding 
secondary school teacher; and
    (5) A copy of his or her academic transcript.



Sec. 2400.22  Application deadline.

    Completed applications must be received by the Foundation no later 
than March 1st of each year preceding the start of the academic year for 
which candidates are applying.



                     Subpart D--Selection of Fellows



Sec. 2400.30  Selection criteria.

    Applicants will be evaluated, on the basis of materials in their 
applications, as follows:
    (a) Demonstrated commitment to teaching American history, American 
government, social studies, or political science at the secondary school 
level;
    (b) Demonstrated intention to pursue a program of graduate study 
that emphasizes the Constitution and to offer classroom instruction in 
that subject;
    (c) Demonstrated record of willingness to devote themselves to civic 
responsibility;
    (d) Outstanding performance or potential of performance as classroom 
teachers;
    (e) Academic achievements and demonstrated capacity for graduate 
study; and
    (f) Proposed courses of graduate study, especially the nature and 
extent of their subject matter components, and their relationship to the 
enhancement of applicants' teaching and professional activities.



Sec. 2400.31  Selection process.

    (a) An independent Fellow Selection Committee will evaluate all 
valid applications and recommend to the Foundation the most outstanding 
applicants from each state for James Madison Fellowships.
    (b) From among candidates recommended for fellowships by the Fellow 
Selection Committee, the Foundation will name James Madison Fellows. The 
selection procedure will assure that at least one James Madison Fellow, 
junior or senior, is selected from each state in which there are at 
least two legally resident applicants who meet the eligibility 
requirements set forth in Sec. 2400.3 and are judged favorably against 
the selection criteria in Sec. 2400.30.

[[Page 595]]

    (c) The Foundation may name, from among those applicants recommended 
by the Fellow Selection Committee, an alternate or alternates for each 
fellowship. An alternate will receive a fellowship if the person named 
as a James Madison Fellow declines the award or is not able to pursue 
graduate study as contemplated at the time the fellowship was accepted. 
An alternate may be named to replace a Fellow who declines or 
relinquishes an award until, but no later than, March 1st following the 
competition in which the alternate has been selected.
    (d) Funds permitting, the Foundation may also select, from among 
those recommended by the Fellow Selection Committee, Fellows at large.



                        Subpart E--Graduate Study



Sec. 2400.40  Institutions of graduate study.

    Fellowship recipients may attend any accredited university in the 
United States with a master's degree program offering courses or 
training that emphasize the origins, principles, and development of the 
Constitution of the United States and its comparison with the 
constitutions and history of other forms of government.



Sec. 2400.41  Degree programs.

    (a) Fellows may pursue a master's degree in history or political 
science (including government or politics), the degree of Master of Arts 
in Teaching in history or political science (including government or 
politics), or a related master's degree in education that permits a 
concentration in American history, American government, social studies, 
or political science. Graduate degrees under which study is excluded 
from fellowship support are indicated in Sec. 2400.63.
    (b) A master's degree pursued under a James Madison Fellowship may 
entail either one or two years or their equivalent of study, according 
to the requirements of the university at which a Fellow is enrolled.



Sec. 2400.42  Approval of Plan of Study.

    The Foundation must approve each Fellow's Plan of Study. To be 
approved, the plan must:
    (a) On a part-time or full-time basis lead to a master's degree in 
history or political science, the degree of Master of Arts in Teaching 
in history or political science, or a related master's degree in 
education that permits a concentration in American history, American 
government, social studies, or political science;
    (b) Include courses, graduate seminars, or opportunities for 
independent study in topics directly related to the framing and history 
of the constitution of the United States;
    (c) Be pursued at a university that assures a willingness to accept 
up to 6 semester hours of accredited transfer credits from another 
graduate institution for a Fellow's satisfactory completion of the 
Foundation's Summer Institute on the Constitution. For the Foundation's 
purposes, these 6 semester hours may be included in the required minimum 
of 12 semester hours or their equivalent of study of the United States 
Constitution; and
    (d) Be pursued at a university that encourages the Fellow to enhance 
his or her capacities as a teacher of American history, American 
government, social studies, or political science and to continue his or 
her career as a secondary school teacher. The Foundation reserves the 
right to refuse to approve a Fellow's Plan of Study at a university that 
will not accept on transfer the 6 credits for the Institute.



Sec. 2400.43  Required courses of graduate study.

    (a) To be acceptable to the Foundation, those courses related to the 
Constitution referred to in Sec. 2400.43(b) must amount to at least 12 
semester or 18 quarter hours or their credit hour equivalent of study of 
topics directly related to the United States Constitution. More than 12 
semester hours or their credit hour equivalent of such study is strongly 
encouraged.
    (b) The courses that fulfill the required minimum of 12 semester 
hours or their credit hour equivalent of study of the United States 
Constitution must cover one or more of the following subject areas:
    (1) The history of colonial America leading up to the framing of the 
Constitution;

[[Page 596]]

    (2) The Constitution itself, its framing, the history and principles 
upon which it is based, its ratification, the Federalist Papers, Anti-
Federalist writings, and the Bill of Rights;
    (3) The historical development of political theory, constitutional 
law, and civil liberties as related to the Constitution;
    (4) Interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court and 
other branches of the federal government;
    (5) Debates about the Constitution in other forums and about the 
effects of constitutional norms and decisions upon American society and 
culture; and
    (6) Any other subject clearly related to the framing, history, and 
principles of the Constitution.
    (c) If a master's degree program in which a Fellow is enrolled 
requires a master's thesis in place of a course or courses, the Fellow 
will have the option of writing the thesis based on the degree 
requirements. The preparation of a master's thesis should not add 
additional required credits to the minimum number of credits required 
for the master's degree. If a Fellow must write a thesis, the topic of 
the thesis must relate to subjects concerning the framing, principles, 
or history of the United States Constitution. If the Fellow can choose 
between two degree tracks, a thesis track or a non-thesis track, the 
Foundation strongly encourages the non-thesis track.



Sec. 2400.44  Commencement of Graduate Study.

    (a) Fellows may commence study under their fellowships as early as 
the summer following the announcement of their award. Fellows are 
normally expected to commence study under their fellowships in the fall 
term of the academic year following the date on which their award is 
announced. However, as indicated in Sec. 2400.6, they may seek to 
postpone the commencement of fellowship study under extenuating 
circumstances.
    (b) In determining the two- and five-year fellowship periods of 
Junior and Senior Fellows respectively, the Foundation will consider the 
commencement of the fellowship period to be the date on which each 
Fellow commences study under a fellowship.



Sec. 2400.45  Special consideration: Junior Fellows' Plan of Study.

    Applicants for Junior Fellowships who seek or hold baccalaureate 
degrees in education are strongly encouraged to pursue master's degrees 
in history or political science. Those applicants who hold undergraduate 
degrees in history, political science, government, or any other subjects 
may take some teaching methods and related courses, although the 
Foundation will not pay for them unless they are required for the degree 
for which the Fellow is matriculated. The Foundation will review each 
proposed Plan of Study for an appropriate balance of subject matter and 
other courses based on the Fellow's goals, background, and degree 
requirements.



Sec. 2400.46  Special consideration: second master's degree.

    The Foundation may award Senior Fellowships to applicants who are 
seeking their second master's degrees providing that the applicants' 
first master's degree was obtained at least five years prior to the year 
in which the applicants would normally commence study under a 
fellowship. In evaluating applications from individuals intending to 
pursue a second master's degree, the Fellow Selection Committee will 
favor those applicants who are planning to become American history, 
American government, social studies, or political science teachers after 
having taught another subject and applicants whose initial master's 
degree was in a subject different from that sought under the second 
master's degree.



Sec. 2400.47  Summer Institute's relationship to fellowship.

    Each year, the Foundation offers, normally during July, a four-week 
graduate-level Institute on the principles, framing, ratification, and 
implementation of the United States Constitution at an accredited 
university in the Washington, DC area. The Institute is an integral part 
of each fellowship.

[[Page 597]]



Sec. 2400.48  Fellows' participation in the Summer Institute.

    Each Fellow is required as part of his or her fellowship to attend 
the Institute, normally during the summer following the Fellow's 
commencement of graduate study under a fellowship.



Sec. 2400.49  Contents of the Summer Institute.

    The principal element of the Institute is a graduate history course, 
``Foundations of American Constitutionalism.'' Other components of the 
Institute include study visits to sites associated with the lives and 
careers of members of the founding generation.



Sec. 2400.50  Allowances and Summer Institute costs.

    For their participation in the Institute, Fellows are paid an 
allowance to help offset income foregone by their required attendance. 
The Foundation also funds the costs of the Institute and Fellows' round-
trip transportation to and from the Institute site. The costs of 
tuition, required fees, books, room, and board entailed by the Institute 
will be paid for by the Foundation directly but may be offset against 
fellowship award limits if the credits earned for the Institute are 
included within the Fellows' degree requirements.



Sec. 2400.51  Summer Institute accreditation.

    The Institute is accredited for six graduate semester credits by the 
university at which it is held. It is expected that the universities at 
which Fellows are pursuing their graduate study will, upon Fellows' 
satisfactory completion of the Institute, accept these credits or their 
credit-hour equivalent upon transfer from the university at which the 
Institute is held in fulfillment of the minimum number of credits 
required for Fellows' graduate degrees. Satisfactory completion of the 
Institute will fulfill 6 of the Foundation's 12 semester credits 
required in graduate study of the history and development of the 
Constitution. Fellows, with the Foundation's assistance, are strongly 
encouraged to make good faith efforts to have their universities 
incorporate the Institute into their Plan of Study and accept the 6 
Institute credits toward the minimum number of credits required for 
their master's degrees.



                      Subpart F--Fellowship Stipend



Sec. 2400.52  Amount of stipend.

    Junior and Senior Fellowships carry a stipend of up to a maximum of 
$24,000 pro-rated over the period of Fellows' graduate study. In no case 
shall the stipend for a fellowship exceed $12,000 per academic year. 
Within this limit, stipends will be pro-rated over the period of 
Fellows' graduate study as follows: a maximum of $6,000 per academic 
semester or trimester of full-time study, and a maximum of $4,000 per 
academic quarter of full-time study. Stipends for part-time study will 
be pro rata shares of those allowable for full-time study.



Sec. 2400.53  Duration of stipend.

    Stipends for Junior Fellowships may be payable over a period up to 2 
calendar years of full-time graduate study, and those for Senior 
Fellowships may be payable over a period of not more than 5 calendar 
years of part-time graduate study, beginning with the dates under which 
Fellows commence their graduate study under their fellowships. However, 
the duration of stipend payments will be subject to the maximum payment 
limits, the length of award time limits, and the completion of the 
minimum degree requirements, whichever occurs first.



Sec. 2400.54  Use of stipend.

    Stipends shall be used only to pay the costs of tuition, required 
fees, books, room, and board associated with graduate study under a 
fellowship. The costs allowed for a Fellow's room and board will be the 
amount the Fellow's university reports to the Foundation as the cost of 
room and board for a graduate student if that student were to share a 
room at the student's university. If no shared graduate housing exists, 
then costs for regular shared student housing will be used. If no campus 
housing exists, the equivalent room and board costs at neighboring 
universities will be used. Stipends for room, board, and books will be 
pro- 

[[Page 598]]

rated for Fellows enrolled in study less than full time. The Foundation 
will not reimburse Fellows for any portion of their master's degree 
study, that Fellows may have completed prior to the commencement of 
their fellowships. Nor will the Foundation reimburse Fellows for any 
credits acquired above the minimum number of credits required for the 
degree. If a Fellow has already taken and paid for courses that can be 
credited toward the Fellow's graduate degree under a fellowship, those 
must be credited to the degree; the remaining required courses will be 
paid for by the Foundation.



Sec. 2400.55  Certification for stipend.

    In order to receive a fellowship stipend, a Fellow must submit the 
following nine items in writing:
    (a) An acceptance of the terms and conditions of the fellowship 
including a completed certificate of compliance form;
    (b) Evidence of admission to an approved graduate program;
    (c) Certified copies of undergraduate and, if any, graduate 
transcripts;
    (d) A certified payment request form indicating the estimated costs 
for tuition, required fees, books, room, and board;
    (e) a photo copy of the university's bulletin of cost information;
    (f) the amount of income from any other grants or awards;
    (g) information about the Fellow's degree requirements, including 
the number of required credits to fulfill the degree;
    (h) a statement of the university's willingness to accept the 
transfer of 6 credits toward the Fellow's degree requirements for the 
Fellow's satisfactory completion of the Summer Institute (see Sec. 2400. 
51); and
    (i) a full Plan of Study over the duration of the fellowship, 
including information on the contents of required courses. Senior 
Fellows must provide evidence of their continued full-time employment as 
teachers in grades 7-12.



Sec. 2400.56  Payment of stipend.

    Payment for tuition, required fees, books, room, and board subject 
to the limitations in Sec. 2400.52 through Sec. 2400.55 and Sec. 2400.59 
through Sec. 2400.60 will be paid to each Fellow at the beginning of 
each term of enrollment upon the Fellow's submission of a completed 
Payment Request Form and the University bulletin of cost information.



Sec. 2400.57  Termination of stipend.

    (a) The Foundation may suspend or terminate the payment of a stipend 
if a Fellow fails to meet the criteria set forth in Sec. 2400.40 through 
Sec. 2400.44 and Sec. 2400.60, except as provided for in Sec. 2400.61. 
Before it suspends or terminates a fellowship under these circumstances, 
the Foundation will give notice to the Fellow, as well as the 
opportunity to be heard with respect to the grounds for suspension or 
termination.
    (b) The Foundation will normally suspend the payment of a stipend if 
a Fellow has more than one grade of ``Incomplete'' in courses for which 
the Foundation has made payment to the Fellow.



Sec. 2400.58  Repayment of stipend.

    (a) If a Fellow fails to secure a master's degree, fails to teach 
American history, American government, social studies, or political 
science on a full-time basis in a secondary school for at least one 
school year for each academic year for which assistance was provided 
under a fellowship, fails to secure fewer than 12 semester hours or 
their credit hour equivalent for study of the Constitution as indicated 
in Sec. 2400.43(b), or fails to attend the Foundation's Summer Institute 
on the Constitution, the Fellow must repay all of the fellowship costs 
received plus interest at the rate of 6% per annum or as otherwise 
authorized and, if applicable, reasonable collection fees, as prescribed 
in Section 807 of the Act (20 U.S.C. 4506(b)).
    (b) If a Fellow withdraws from the fellowship or has a fellowship 
terminated by the Foundation, the Foundation will seek to recover all 
fellowship funds which have been remitted to the Fellow or on his or her 
behalf under a fellowship.

[[Page 599]]



                      Subpart G--Special Conditions



Sec. 2400.59  Other awards.

    Fellows may accept grants from other foundations, institutions, 
corporations, or government agencies to support their graduate study or 
to replace any income foregone for study. However, the stipend paid by 
the Foundation for allowable costs indicated in Sec. 2400.52 will be 
reduced to the extent these costs are paid from other sources, and in no 
case will fellowship funds be paid to Fellows to provide support in 
excess of their actual total costs of tuition, required fees, books, 
room, and board. The Foundation may also reduce a Fellow's stipend if 
the Fellow is remunerated for the costs of tuition under a research or 
teaching assistantship or a work-study program. In such a case, the 
Foundation will require information from a Fellow's university about the 
intended use of assistantship or work-study support before remitting 
fellowship payments.



Sec. 2400.60  Renewal of award.

    (a) Provided that Fellows have submitted all required documentation 
and are making satisfactory academic progress, it is the intent of the 
Foundation to renew Junior Fellowship awards annually for a period not 
to exceed two calendar years or the completion of their graduate 
degrees, whichever comes first, and Senior Fellowships for a period not 
to exceed 5 calendar years (except when those periods have been altered 
because of changes in Fellows' Plan of Study as provided for in 
Sec. 2400.64), or until a Fellow has completed all requirements for a 
master's degree, whichever comes first. In no case, however, will the 
Foundation continue payments under a fellowship to a Fellow who has 
reached the maximum payments under a fellowship as indicated in 
Sec. 2400.52, or completed the minimum number of credits required for 
the degree. Although Fellows are not discouraged in taking courses in 
addition to those required for the degree or required to maintain full-
time status, the Foundation will not in such cases pay for those 
additional courses unless they are credited to the minimum number of 
credits required for the degree.
    (b) Fellowship renewal will be subject to an annual review by the 
Foundation and certification by an authorized official of the university 
at which a Fellow is registered that the Fellow is making satisfactory 
progress toward the degree and is in good academic standing according to 
the standards of each university.
    (c) As a condition of renewal of awards, each Fellow must submit an 
annual activity report to the Foundation by July 15th. That report must 
indicate, through submission of a copy of the Fellow's most recent 
transcript, courses taken and grades achieved; courses planned for the 
coming year; changes in academic or professional plans or situations; 
any awards, recognitions, or special achievements in the Fellow's 
academic study or school employment; and such other information as may 
relate to the fellowship and its holder.



Sec. 2400.61  Postponement of award.

    Upon application to the Foundation, a Fellow may seek postponement 
of his or her fellowship because of ill health or other mitigating 
circumstances, such as military duty, temporary disability, necessary 
care of an immediate family member, or unemployment as a teacher. 
Substantiation of the reasons for the requested postponement of study 
will be required.



Sec. 2400.62  Evidence of master's degree.

    At the conclusion of graduate studies, each Fellow must provide a 
certified transcript which indicates that he or she has secured an 
approved master's degree as set forth in the Fellow's original Plan of 
Study or approved modifications thereto.



Sec. 2400.63  Excluded graduate study.

    James Madison Fellowships do not provide support for study toward 
doctoral degrees, for the degree of master of arts in public affairs or 
public administration, or toward the award of teaching certificates. Nor 
do fellowships support practice teaching required for professional 
certification or other courses related to teaching unless those courses 
are required for the degree. In those cases, however, the

[[Page 600]]

Foundation will provide reimbursement only toward those courses related 
to teaching that fall within the minimum number of courses required for 
the degree, not in addition to that minimum.



Sec. 2400.64  Alterations to Plan of Study.

    Although Junior Fellows are expected to pursue full-time study and 
Senior Fellows to pursue part-time study, the Foundation may permit 
Junior Fellows with an established need (such as the need to accept a 
teaching position) to study part time and Senior Fellows with 
established need (such as great distance between the Fellow's residence 
and the nearest university, thus necessitating a full-time leave of 
absence from employment in order to study) to study full time.



Sec. 2400.65  Teaching obligation.

    Upon receiving a Master's degree, each Fellow must teach American 
history, American government, social studies, or political science on a 
full-time basis to students in secondary school for a period of not less 
than one year for each academic year for which financial assistance was 
received. Each Fellow will be required to provide the Foundation with an 
annual certification from an official of the secondary school where the 
Fellow is employed indicating the teaching activities of the Fellow 
during the past year. This same certification will be required each year 
until the Fellow's teaching obligation is completed. Any teaching done 
by the Fellow prior to or during graduate studies does not count towards 
meeting this teaching obligation.



Sec. 2400.66  Completion of fellowship.

    A Fellow will be deemed to have satisfied all terms of a fellowship 
and all obligations under it when the Fellow has completed no fewer than 
12 graduate semester hours or the equivalent of study of the 
Constitution, formally secured the masters degree, attended the 
Foundation's Summer Institute on the Constitution, completed teaching 
for the number of years and fractions thereof required as a condition of 
accepting Foundation support for study, and submitted all required 
reports.



PART 2490--ENFORCEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF HANDICAP IN PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE JAMES MADISON MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION--Table of Contents




Sec.
2490.101  Purpose.
2490.102  Application.
2490.103  Definitions.
2490.104-2490.109  [Reserved]
2490.110  Self-evaluation.
2490.111  Notice.
2490.112-2490.129  [Reserved]
2490.130  General prohibitions against discrimination.
2490.131-2490.139  [Reserved]
2490.140  Employment.
2490.141-2490.148  [Reserved]
2490.149  Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.
2490.150  Program accessibility: Existing facilities.
2490.151  Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.
2490.152-2490.159  [Reserved]
2490.160  Communications.
2490.161-2490.169  [Reserved]
2490.170  Compliance procedures.
2490.171-2490.999  [Reserved]

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794.

    Source: 58 FR 57699, Oct. 26, 1993, unless otherwise noted.



Sec. 2490.101  Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 119 of the 
Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities 
Amendments of 1978, which amended section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of handicap in programs 
or activities conducted by Executive agencies or the United States 
Postal Service.



Sec. 2490.102  Application.

    This part (Secs. 2490.101--2490.170) applies to all programs or 
activities conducted by the agency, except for programs or activities 
conducted outside the United States that do not involve individuals with 
handicaps in the United States.

[[Page 601]]



Sec. 2490.103  Definitions.

    For purposes of this part, the term--
    Assistant Attorney General means the Assistant Attorney General, 
Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice.
    Auxiliary aids means services or devices that enable persons with 
impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills to have an equal 
opportunity to participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, programs or 
activities conducted by the agency. For example, auxiliary aids useful 
for persons with impaired vision include readers, Brailled materials, 
audio recordings, and other similar services and devices. Auxiliary aids 
useful for persons with impaired hearing include telephone handset 
amplifiers, telephones compatible with hearing aids, telecommunication 
devices for deaf persons (TTD's), interpreters, notetakers, written 
materials, and other similar services and devices.
    Complete complaint means a written statement that contains the 
complainant's name and address and describes the agency's alleged 
discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the agency of the 
nature and date of the alleged violation of section 504. It shall be 
signed by the complainant or by someone authorized to do so on his or 
her behalf. Complaints filed on behalf of classes or third parties shall 
describe or identify (by name, if possible) the alleged victims of 
discrimination.
    Facility means all or any portion of buildings, structures, 
equipment, roads, walks, parking lots, rolling stock or other 
conveyances, or other real or personal property.
    Historic preservation programs means programs conducted by the 
agency that have preservation of historic properties as a primary 
purpose.
    Historic properties means those properties that are listed or 
eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or 
properties designated as historic under a statute of the appropriate 
State or local government body.
    Individual with handicaps means any person who has a physical or 
mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life 
activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having 
such an impairment. As used in this definition, the phrase:
    (1) Physical or mental impairment includes--
    (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, 
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: 
Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, 
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; 
genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or
    (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental 
retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and 
specific learning disabilities. The term ``physical or mental 
impairment'' includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and 
conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, 
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, 
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, 
HIV disease (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic), and drug addiction 
and alcoholism.
    (2) Major life activities include functions such as caring for one's 
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, 
breathing, learning, and working.
    (3) Has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or 
has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that 
substantially limits one or more major life activities.
    (4) Is regarded as having an impairment means--
    (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially 
limit major life activities but is treated by the agency as constituting 
such a limitation;
    (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 
major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward 
such impairment; or
    (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this 
definition but is treated by the agency as having such an impairment.
    Qualified individual with handicaps means--
    (1) With respect to preschool, elementary, or secondary education 
services provided by the agency, an individual with handicaps who is a 
member of a

[[Page 602]]

class of persons otherwise entitled by statute, regulation, or agency 
policy to receive education services from the agency;
    (2) With respect to any other agency program or activity under which 
a person is required to perform services or to achieve a level of 
accomplishment, an individual with handicaps who meets the essential 
eligibility requirements and who can achieve the purpose of the program 
or activity without modifications in the program or activity that the 
agency can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in its 
nature;
    (3) With respect to any other program or activity, an individual 
with handicaps who meets the essential eligibility requirements for 
participation in, or receipt of benefits from, that program or activity; 
and
    (4) Qualified handicapped person as that term is defined for 
purposes of employment in 29 CFR 1614.203(a)(6), which is made 
applicable to this part by Sec. 2490.140.
    Section 504 means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
(Pub. L. 93-112, 87 Stat. 394 (29 U.S.C. 794)), as amended. As used in 
this part, section 504 applies only to programs or activities conducted 
by Executive agencies and not to federally assisted programs.
    Substantial impairment means a significant loss of the integrity of 
finished materials, design quality, or special character resulting from 
a permanent alteration.
Secs. 2490.104--2490.109  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.110  Self-evaluation.

    (a) The agency shall, by November 28, 1994, evaluate its current 
policies and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not 
meet the requirements of this part and, to the extent modification of 
any such policies and practices is required, the agency shall proceed to 
make the necessary modifications.
    (b) The agency shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, 
including individuals with handicaps or organizations representing 
individuals with handicaps, to participate in the self-evaluation 
process by submitting comments (both oral and written).
    (c) The agency shall, for at least three years following completion 
of the self-evaluation, maintain on file and make available for public 
inspection:
    (1) A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and
    (2) A description of any modifications made.



Sec. 2490.111  Notice.

    The agency shall make available to employees, applicants, 
participants, beneficiaries, and other interested persons such 
information regarding the provisions of this part and its applicability 
to the programs or activities conducted by the agency, and make such 
information available to them in such manner as the head of the agency 
finds necessary to apprise such persons of the protections against 
discrimination assured them by section 504 and this part.
Secs. 2490.112--2490.129  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.130  General prohibitions against discrimination.

    (a) No qualified individual with handicaps shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, 
or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or 
activity conducted by the agency.
    (b)(1) The agency, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may 
not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, 
on the basis of handicap--
    (i) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;
    (ii) Afford a qualified individual with handicaps an opportunity to 
participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not 
equal to that afforded others;
    (iii) Provide a qualified individual with handicaps with an aid, 
benefit, or service that is not as effective in according equal 
opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to 
reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others;
    (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to 
individuals with

[[Page 603]]

handicaps or to any class of individuals with handicaps than is provided 
to others unless such action is necessary to provide qualified 
individuals with handicaps with aid, benefits, or services that are as 
effective as those provided to others;
    (v) Deny a qualified individual with handicaps the opportunity to 
participate as a member of planning or advisory boards;
    (vi) Otherwise limit a qualified individual with handicaps in the 
enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by 
others receiving the aid, benefit, or service.
    (2) The agency may not deny a qualified individual with handicaps 
the opportunity to participate in programs or activities that are no 
separate or different, despite the existence of permissibly separate or 
different programs or activities.
    (3) The agency may not, directly or through contractual or other 
arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration the purpose 
or effect of which would--
    (i) Subject qualified individuals with handicaps to discrimination 
on the basis of handicap; or
    (ii) Defeat or substantially impair accomplishment of the objectives 
of a program or activity with respect to individuals with handicaps.
    (4) The agency may not, in determining the site or location of a 
facility, make selections the purpose or effect of which would--
    (i) Exclude individuals with handicaps from, deny them the benefits 
of, or otherwise subject them to discrimination under any program or 
activity conducted by the agency; or
    (ii) Defeat or substantially impair the accomplishment of the 
objectives of a program or activity with respect to individuals with 
handicaps.
    (5) The agency, in the selection of procurement contractors, may not 
use criteria that subject qualified individuals with handicaps to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap.
    (6) The agency may not administer a licensing or certification 
program in a manner that subjects qualified individuals with handicaps 
to discrimination on the basis of handicap, nor may the agency establish 
requirements for the programs or activities of licensees or certified 
entities that subject qualified individuals with handicaps to 
discrimination on the basis of handicap. However, the programs or 
activities of entities that are licensed or certified by the agency are 
not, themselves, covered by this part.
    (c) The exclusion of nonhandicapped persons from the benefits of a 
program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to individuals 
with handicaps or the exclusion of a specific class of individuals with 
handicaps from a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order 
to a different class of individuals with handicaps is not prohibited by 
this part.
    (d) The agency shall administer programs and activities in the most 
integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified individuals 
with handicaps.
Secs. 2490.131--2490.139  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.140  Employment.

    No qualified individual with handicaps shall, on the basis of 
handicap, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any program 
or activity conducted by the agency. The definitions, requirements, and 
procedures of section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
791), as established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 
29 CFR part 1614, shall apply to employment in federally conducted 
programs or activities.
Secs. 2490.141--2490.148  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.149  Program accessibility: Discrimination prohibited.

    Except as otherwise provided in Sec. 2490.150, no qualified 
individual with handicaps shall, because the agency's facilities are 
inaccessible to or unusable by individuals with handicaps, be denied the 
benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or otherwise be 
subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by 
the agency.



Sec. 2490.150  Program accessibility: Existing facilities.

    (a) General. The agency shall operate each program or activity so 
that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily 
accessible to and

[[Page 604]]

usable by individuals with handicaps. This paragraph does not--
    (1) Necessarily require the agency to make each of its existing 
facilities accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps;
    (2) In the case of historic preservation programs, require the 
agency to take any action that would result in a substantial impairment 
of significant historic features of an historic property; or
    (3) Require the agency to take any action that it can demonstrate 
would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of a program or 
activity or in undue financial and administrative burdens. In those 
circumstances where agency personnel believe that the proposed action 
would fundamentally alter the program or activity or would result in 
undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency has the burden of 
proving that compliance with Sec. 2490.150(a) would result in such 
alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would result in such 
alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or his or her 
designee after considering all agency resources available for use in the 
funding and operation of the conducted program or activity, and must be 
accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for reaching that 
conclusion. If an action would result in such an alteration or such 
burdens, the agency shall take any other action that result in such an 
alteration or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that 
individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and services of the 
program or activity.
    (b) Methods.--(1) General. The agency may comply with the 
requirements of this section through such means as redesign of 
equipment, reassignment of services to accessible buildings, assignment 
of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, delivery of services at 
alternate accessible sites, alteration of existing facilities and 
construction of new facilities, use of accessible rolling stock, or any 
other methods that result in making its programs or activities readily 
accessible to and usable by individuals with handicaps. The agency is 
not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where 
other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section. 
The agency, in making alterations to existing buildings, shall meet 
accessibility requirements to the extent compelled by the Architectural 
Barriers Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), and any 
regulations implementing it. In choosing among available methods for 
meeting the requirements of this section, the agency shall give priority 
to those methods that offer programs and activities to qualified 
individuals with handicaps in the most integrated setting appropriate.
    (2) Historic preservation programs. In meeting the requirements of 
Sec. 2490.150(a) in historic preservation programs, the agency shall 
give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals 
with handicaps. In cases where a physical alteration to an historic 
property is not required because of Sec. 2490.150(a)(2) or (a)(3), 
alternative methods of achieving program accessibility include--
    (i) Using audio-visual materials and devices to depict those 
portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made 
accessible;
    (ii) Assigning persons to guide individuals with handicaps into or 
through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made 
accessible; or
    (iii) Adopting other innovative methods.
    (c) Time period for compliance. The agency shall comply with the 
obligations established under this section by January 24, 1994, except 
that where structural changes in facilities are undertaken, such changes 
shall be made by November 26, 1996, but in any event as expeditiously as 
possible.
    (d) Transition plan. In the event that structural changes to 
facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, the 
agency shall develop, by May 26, 1994, a transition plan setting forth 
the steps necessary to complete such changes. The agency shall provide 
an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with 
handicaps or organizations representing individuals with handicaps, to 
participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting 
comments (both oral and written). A copy of the transition plan

[[Page 605]]

shall be made available for public inspection. The plan shall, at a 
minimum--
    (1) Identify physical obstacles in the agency's facilities that 
limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals 
with handicaps;
    (2) Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the 
facilities accessible;
    (3) Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve 
compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition 
plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during 
each year of the transition period; and
    (4) Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the 
plan.



Sec. 2490.151  Program accessibility: New construction and alterations.

    Each building or part of a building that is constructed or altered 
by, on behalf of, or for the use of the agency shall be designed, 
constructed, or altered so as to be readily accessible to and usable by 
individuals with handicaps. The definitions, requirements, and standards 
of the Architectural Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), as established 
in 41 CFR 101-19.600 to 101-19.607, apply to buildings covered by this 
section.
Secs. 2490.152--2490.159  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.160  Communications.

    (a) The agency shall take appropriate steps to ensure effective 
communication with applicants, participants, personnel of other Federal 
entities, and members of the public.
    (1) The agency shall furnish appropriate auxiliary aids where 
necessary to afford an individual with handicaps an equal opportunity to 
participate in, and enjoy the benefits of, a program or activity 
conducted by the agency.
    (i) In determining what type of auxiliary aid is necessary, the 
agency shall give primary consideration to the requests of the 
individual with handicaps.
    (ii) The agency need not provide individually prescribed devices, 
readers for personal use or study, or other devices of a personal 
nature.
    (2) Where the agency communicates with applicants and beneficiaries 
by telephone, telecommunication devices for deaf persons (TDD's) or 
equally effective telecommunication systems shall be used to communicate 
with persons with impaired hearing.
    (b) The agency shall ensure that interested persons, including 
persons with impaired vision or hearing, can obtain information as to 
the existence and location of accessible services, activities, and 
facilities.
    (c) The agency shall provide signage at a primary entrance to each 
of its inaccessible facilities, directing users to a location at which 
they can obtain information about accessible facilities. The 
international symbol for accessibility shall be used at each primary 
entrance of an accessible facility.
    (d) This section does not require the agency to take any action that 
it can demonstrate would result in a fundamental alteration in the 
nature of a program or activity or in undue financial and administrative 
burdens. In those circumstances where agency personnel believe that the 
proposed action would fundamentally alter the program or activity or 
would result in undue financial and administrative burdens, the agency 
has the burden of proving that compliance with Sec. 2490.160 would 
result in such alteration or burdens. The decision that compliance would 
result in such alteration or burdens must be made by the agency head or 
his or her designee after considering all agency resources available for 
use in the funding and operation of the conducted program or activity 
and must be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons for 
reaching that conclusion. If an action required to comply with this 
section would result in such an alteration or such burdens, the agency 
shall take any other action that would not result in such an alteration 
or such burdens but would nevertheless ensure that, to the maximum 
extent possible, individuals with handicaps receive the benefits and 
services of the program or activity.

[[Page 606]]

Secs. 2490.161--2490.169  [Reserved]



Sec. 2490.170  Compliance procedures.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this 
section applies to all allegations of discrimination on the basis of 
handicap in programs and activities conducted by the agency.
    (b) The agency shall process complaints alleging violations of 
section 504 with respect to employment according to the procedures 
established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 29 CFR 
part 1614 pursuant to section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
U.S.C. 791).
    (c) The Director of Administration and Finance shall be responsible 
for coordinating implementation of this section. Complaints may be sent 
to James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation, 2000 K Street, NW., 
suite 303, Washington, DC 20006.
    (d) The agency shall accept and investigate all complete complaints 
for which it has jurisdiction. All complete complaints must be filed 
within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination. The agency may 
extend this time period for good cause.
    (e) If the agency receives a complaint over which it does not have 
jurisdiction, it shall promptly notify the complainant and shall make 
reasonable efforts to refer the complaint to the appropriate Government 
entity.
    (f) The agency shall notify the Architectural and Transportation 
Barriers Compliance Board upon receipt of any complaint alleging that a 
building or facility that is subject to the Architectural Barriers Act 
of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4151-4157), is not readily accessible to 
and usable by individuals with handicaps.
    (g) Within 180 days of the receipt of a complete complaint for which 
it has jurisdiction, the agency shall notify the complainant of the 
results of the investigation in a letter containing--
    (1) Findings of fact and conclusions of law;
    (2) A description of a remedy for each violation found; and
    (3) A notice of the right to appeal.
    (h) Appeals of the findings of fact and conclusions of law or 
remedies must be filed by the complainant within 90 days of receipt from 
the agency of the letter required by Sec. 2490.170(g). The agency may 
extend this time for good cause.
    (i) Timely appeals shall be accepted and processed by the head of 
the agency.
    (j) The head of the agency shall notify the complainant of the 
results of the appeal within 60 days of the receipt of the request. If 
the head of the agency determines that additional information is needed 
from the complainant, he or she shall have 60 days from the date of 
receipt of the additional information to make his or her determination 
on the appeal.
    (k) The time limits cited in paragraphs (g) and (j) of this section 
may be extended with the permission of the Assistant Attorney General.
    (l) The agency may delegate its authority for conducting complaint 
investigations to other Federal agencies, except that the authority for 
making the final determination may not be delegated to another agency.

[58 FR 57699, Oct. 26, 1993]
Secs. 2490.171--2490.999  [Reserved]

[[Page 607]]