98-25411. Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Title of Collection: 1998-99 Pilot Study on Instructional Facilities at U.S. Colleges and Universities

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 184 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50928-50929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25411]


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

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Title 
of Collection: 1998-99 Pilot Study on Instructional Facilities at U.S. 
Colleges and Universities

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. 
After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the

[[Page 50929]]

submission requesting that OMB clearance of this collection for no 
longer than 3 years.

SEND COMMENTS TO: Mary Lou Higgs, Acting Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to [e-mail]. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of the date of this notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Higgs on [phone] x 2010 or 
send email to [e-mail]. You may also obtain a copy of the data 
collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Higgs.
    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 collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including 
through the use of automatic collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Proposed Project: The 1998 Survey of Science and Engineering 
Research Facilities at Colleges and Universities conducted by NSF 
collected data on the status of academic science and engineering (S&E) 
research facilities. This proposed survey will build on that data 
collection methodology and assess the quantity, quality, and needs for 
instructional facilities in all academic fields at the nation's 
colleges and universities.
    Use of Information: Currently there exists no nationwide inventory 
of postsecondary instructional facilities. The demand for college-level 
education is expected to rise sharply in the near future due to at 
least three factors:
    1. Current enrollments are at alltime highs and not expected to 
decline soon;
    2. An increasing number of students are nearing typical college 
age;
    3. ``Mature'' (older) students continue to return to campus in 
growing numbers.
    By establishing an inventory of postsecondary instructional 
facilities, Federal legislators and policymakers can better assess and 
plan for the future educational needs of the country.
    Burden on the Public: The pre-test will include no more than nine 
colleges and universities, requiring approximately 1.5 hours each. The 
pilot test instrument will be sent to 150. We expect each to spend 
approximately 1.5 hours to 6 hours, for a total annual burden of 225-
900 hours.

    Dated: September 17, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-25411 Filed 9-22-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M