[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59978-59979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23769]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published
in the Federal Register at 77 FR 48553, and one comment was received.
NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of
this second notice. The full submission (including comments) may be
found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Comments: Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions f
the agency, including whether the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology should
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB,
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725--17th
Street, NW. Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email
to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).
DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best
assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling
703-292-7556.
NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to
the collection of information that such persons are not required to
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the
information collection activities as part of this study were solicited
through publication of a 60-Day Notice in the Federal Register on
August 14, 2012, at 77 FR 48553. We received one comment, to which we
here respond.
Commenter: The Center for Equal Opportunity provided the following
comment:
We have a comment on this sentence in yesterday's Federal Register
notice (77 FR 48553, August 14, 2012, NSF ``Notice of Intent To Seek
Approval To Establish an Information Collection''): ``From this
knowledge, a benchmark for progress towards creating a path of equity
in engineering for women, and especially for racial/ethnic minorities
and persons with disabilities can be established starting with the
culture of the centers.''
Since the aim is a workplace environment that is welcoming,
inclusive, and nondiscriminatory toward all, we suggest this sentence
be rewritten as follows in this and future Federal Register notices of
this kind: ``From this knowledge, a benchmark for progress towards
creating a path of
[[Page 59979]]
equity in engineering for women and men, and for all racial/ethnic
groups and persons with disabilities, can be established starting with
the culture of the centers.''
Not only is the wording more in keeping with the principles of
inclusion and nondiscrimination, but it is generally illegal for the
government to show favoritism or even use classifications based on
race, ethnicity, or sex. See Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 515
U.S. 200, 227 (1995) (``all racial classifications . . . must be
analyzed by a reviewing court under strict scrutiny''); Mississippi
University for Women v. Hogan, 458 U.S. 718 (1982) (gender
classifications require an ``exceedingly persuasive justification'').
See also Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000d
(prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national
origin in federally funded programs). Indeed, such classifications and
favoritism are ``presumptively invalid'' (see Personnel Administrator
v. Feeney, 442 U.S. 256 (1979)). The wording we suggest is in line with
that used by many other federal agencies in their Federal Register
notices. See, for example, 76 FR 13422 (DHS), 77 FR 27013 (USDA), 77 FR
24268 (DoTreasury), 75 FR 78705 (HHS), 76 FR 8366 (EPA), 77 FR 15745
(DoEnergy), 77 FR 35063 (DoL), etc.
Response: In response to the comment, the Need and Use of
Information Collection section was modified to:
The NSF Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) were established in
1985 with one of the goals being the development of a diverse, globally
competitive engineering workforce. The ERCs provide information
regarding diversity in the Centers through 10-year diversity strategic
plans and annual reporting that includes demographic data. However,
beyond the numbers, NSF does not have a good understanding of the
culture for diversity inside these centers and how it impacts faculty,
students and their success. This information will enable NSF to have an
unprecedented perspective of the ERC diversity culture. From this
knowledge, a benchmark for progress towards creating a path of equity
in engineering for women and men, all racial/ethnic groups and persons
with disabilities, can be established starting with the culture of the
centers. Also, with a better understanding of the diversity efforts and
diversity culture within the ERCs, the information will enable us to
assess, refine, and improve diversity efforts. We want the ERCs to be
inclusive environments for all. This diversity climate survey will
enable us to evaluate how close we are to that goal.
For outside technical expertise, NSF has consulted with the Center
for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) and the Computer Integrated Surgical
Systems and Technology (CISST) Engineering Research Centers that have
executed similar diversity surveys across their member institutions.
These centers had success in developing a survey with content
specifically designed to address the experiences unique to ERC
personnel. The education, outreach and diversity staff within these
specific ERCs have been available for consultation in the developmental
process of the survey.
After consideration of this comment, we are moving forward with our
submission to OMB.
Title of Collection: Engineering Research Center's Diversity
Climate Survey.
OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Abstract
Proposed Project: We would like to use Survey Monkey to administer
a diversity climate survey to the 17, active NSF Engineering Research
Centers. This survey will have a mix of rating and open-ended
questions. Our goal is to gain an understanding of the climate of
diversity within the ERCs.
Need and Use of Information Collection: The NSF ERCs were
established in 1985 with one of the goals being the development of a
diverse, globally competitive engineering workforce. The ERCs provide
information regarding diversity in the Centers through 10-year
diversity strategic plans and annual reporting that includes
demographic data. However, beyond the numbers, NSF does not have a good
understanding of the culture for diversity inside these centers and how
it impacts faculty, students and their success. This information will
enable NSF to have an unprecedented perspective of ERC diversity
culture. From this knowledge, a benchmark for progress towards creating
a path of equity in engineering for women, and especially for racial/
ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities can be established
starting with the culture of the centers. Also, with a better
understanding of the diversity efforts and diversity culture within the
ERCs, the information will enable us to assess, refine, and improve
diversity efforts. We want the ERCs to be inclusive environments for
all. This diversity climate survey will enable us to evaluate how close
we are to that goal.
Estimate of the Burden: This survey will have 1,418 respondents and
should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. This yields a burden
time of 709 hours.
Respondents: Individuals; not-for-profit institutions
Estimated Number of Responses per Survey: One
Dated:September 25, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-23769 Filed 9-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P