Supporting Statement Part A

ICRAS ICR ID and OMB Number: (XXXX) 1894-NEW

Revised: 2/19/2015

RIN Number: XXXX-XXXX (if applicable)

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

ICRAS ICR ID and OMB Number: (XXXX) 1894-NEW

Revised 12/11/2014

RIN Number: XXXX-XXXX (if applicable)

A. Justification

1. In 2014, The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) announced its first class of HBCU All-Stars, recognizing 75 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement.

HBCU All-Stars serve as ambassadors at their respective institutions and communities and network with one another to achieve desired goals. Together they comprise the next generation of HBCU leaders who will booster educational excellence through collaborations and outreach activities. All-Stars are encouraged to carefully assess their own professional aspirations, as well as the needs of their institutions, to determine the many ways that our initiative might be able to support them and their campuses.

It is essential that we continue to engage with the next generation of leaders who will graduate from HBCUs and go on to make meaningful contributions to society is crucial to the success of our community, our country and our global competitiveness. Over the course of the next year, the HBCU All-Stars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative by provide outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the Initiative as a networking resource. Through social media and their relationships with community-based organizations, the All-Stars will share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential. In addition, they will participate in regional events and web chats with deputy director of the WHIHBCUs, other Initiative staff and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. They will also have opportunities to engage with other scholars to showcase individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.

This collection will serve as the standard for the next three years of the nomination cycle. Nominees are asked to submit completed applications that include a transcript, two essays, a resume, unofficial transcript and an endorsement/commitment letter.

2. In keeping with the intent of the program, clearance of the nomination process is requested to allow students to self- nominate to become an HBCU All Star.

2. The WHIHBCUs collects nomination applications and narrative responses electronically from students who are currently enrolled at an accredited HBCU. WHIHBCUs will use the information to evaluate students on their leadership, scholarship and civic engagement. Respondents will be required to submit their responses by email to [email protected] by the closing date.

2. The information is relevant only to the nomination application under the HBCU All-Star Program. There is no similar information available in other forms, or, as the result of other information collections. This information collection does not duplicate any other information collection effort

5. No small entities. The application will be sent to each HBCU President and posted on the WHIHBCUs webpage. Those interested in applying may do so by the deadline. We have limited this nomination form to four (4) parts, two of which are open ended questions with a 750-word limit to eliminate any additional burden to the respondents.

5. The All-Stars are a nationwide group that networks with one another to achieve desired goals.  Together they comprise the next generation of HBCU leaders who will booster educational excellence through collaborations and outreach activities. The ultimate goal is to have the All-Stars be proactive rather that reactive in regards to their individual objectives and the unique needs of their universities.

The collection is not mandatory, by law, however obtaining the level of information from senior officials at the institution is challenging and may yield unintended results (i.e., favoritism). The successful implementation of this program, its strategies and program goals cannot be met without collecting and evaluating the information received.

5. There are no special circumstances that cause this information to be collected in a manner: requiring respondents to –

• report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

• prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

• submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

• retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years.

In addition, the application --

• is not designed as a statistical survey;

• does not use a statistical data classification;

• does not include a pledge of confidentiality; and

• does not require respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information.

5. Electronically submitted applications are consistent with guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5. A 60 day notice was published on December 22, 2014 (79 FR 76310). Nonsubstantive public comments were received.

5. No payments or gifts to respondents will be made.

5. There is no assurance of confidentiality.

5. There are no questions of a sensitive nature.

5. At this present time, the specific number of how many respondents the WHIHBCUs will receive is not known. The application will be sent to the Presidents of 105 eligible institutions. The average burden for the submissions is estimated to be 3.5 hours, for a total of 367 burden hours.

Cost to Respondents

Primary costs to respondents fall into the following categories: Preparation of the application and submittal by email. There are no costs that (a) meet the criteria for inclusion under this item; and (b) have not been addressed in either item #12 or #14.

5. Estimated Federal costs:

Program Personnel:

2 persons @ $43.00/hr. x 80 hours = $6,880.00

2 persons @ $50.00/hr. x 80 hours = $8,000.00

$14,880.00

Anticipated responses reviewed:

105 responses x ½ burden hour X 1 reviewer per submission= 31.5 hours

Printing and mailing of the application package: No costs for federal personnel. Application packages will be available electronically.

5. There are no startup costs to the federal government.

5. This is a new collection, therefore all burden is new. This results in a program change increase in burden and responses of 367 hours and 105 responses respectively.

5. The WHIHBCUs will work with the Department of Education’s press office to provide a press release to the public announcing the next cohort of HBCU All-Stars.

5. Timeline is as follows:

Open Application Release to Public: 2 February 2015

Deadline: March 2, 2015

Announcement of Cohort: May 4, 2015

5. The OMB approval of the information collection will be displayed on the survey instrument.

5. There are no exceptions to the referenced certification statement.

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