[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 584-585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-8312]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter the ``Corporation''), as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial

[[Page 585]]

resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, 
and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly 
assessed.
    Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments on its proposed 
``Application for the President's Higher Education Community Service 
Honor Roll'' which will involve the collection of information from 
institutions of higher education concerning their community service-
related activities. This information will provide the basis for a 
national honor roll and awards program intended to promote awareness of 
higher education community service efforts and to inspire expanded and 
more effective service efforts. In support of the Universities 
Rebuilding America Program (discussed below), this application and data 
collection include sections on the service activities of institutions 
of higher education, their students, faculty and staff, in response to 
the significant devastation caused by this last year's Atlantic and 
Gulf hurricanes. Copies of the information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of 
this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by March 6, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the 
information collection activity, by any of the following methods:
    (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community 
Service, Learn and Serve America; Attention: Amy Cohen, Director, Room 
9603; 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525. Please note that 
because we are experiencing significant delays in receiving U.S. Mail, 
you may wish to consider alternative mail services.
    (2) By hand delivery or by courier to: the Corporation's mailroom 
at Room 8100 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 
9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    (3) By fax to: (202) 606-3477, Attention: Amy Cohen.
    (4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Cohen, (202) 606-6927, or by e-
mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corporation is particularly interested 
in comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Corporation, including whether the information will have practical 
utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., 
permitting electronic submissions of responses).
    Background: The Corporation is the lead Federal agency for the 
coordination and support of voluntary national and community service by 
citizens and non-profit agencies.
    Recognizing that community service and civic engagement are among 
the historic missions of most colleges and universities, the 
Corporation's Board of Directors recently identified Strategic Plan 
targets that include significant increases: in the number of college 
students performing community service, in the use of service-learning 
in higher education, and, in particular, in the number of students 
providing tutoring and other services to youth from disadvantaged 
circumstances designed to promote high school completion and college 
access. The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll 
and Awards program will support these Strategic Plan efforts.
    On November 1, 2005, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, Alphonso Jackson, and the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Corporation, David Eisner, announced the Universities Rebuilding 
America Partnership (URAP), an initiative offering funding and other 
resources to empower college and university students, faculty, and 
staff to lend their skills in rebuilding the Gulf Coast in response to 
the devastation caused by the hurricanes of 2005. As part of this 
initiative, the Corporation and the Department are creating a URAP 
Honor Roll and Awards Program to recognize higher education communities 
for their contributions to the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
    Current Action: This annual application/ information collection 
from higher education institutions will provide information about 
student, faculty, staff, and institutional community service and civic 
engagement activities, including those in response to the recent 
hurricane emergencies. The selection of colleges and universities for 
recognition under the URAP Honor Roll and Awards program, as well as 
under the broader President's Higher Education Community Service Honor 
Roll and Award program, will be based on information provided in this 
application and information collection. The initial deadline for 
institutions to submit applications for these programs is June 30, 
2006. It is expected that a similar application/ information collection 
activity will be repeated annually, with a similar annual deadline.
    Information collected from applicant higher education institutions 
will include: descriptions of specific student, staff, and faculty 
community service projects; data on the scope and impacts of service 
projects; estimates of the number of enrolled students participating in 
community service activities--both overall and in response to the 
hurricane-related disruptions of 2005; and information on institutional 
supports for service such as academic service-learning opportunities, 
community service coordination offices, and scholarships and other 
benefits in recognition of student service.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    Title: Application for the President's Higher Education Community 
Service Honor Roll.
    OMB Number: None.
    Agency Number: None.
    Affected Public: U.S. degree-granting colleges and universities.
    Total Respondents: 4,236 higher education institutions.
    Frequency: Annual.
    Average Time Per Response: 1 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,236 hours.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: December 30, 2005.
Elson Nash,
Associate Director for Project Management, Learn and Serve America.
[FR Doc. E5-8312 Filed 1-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P