Universal Service Seminar Information

[Curtiss Priest]

Apologies if this is a cross post.

Elisabeth Roche ace at opus1.com

--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
From: Laurie Maak <laurie at info-ren.pitt.edu>
To: education-organizations at info-ren.pitt.edu
Subject: Universal Service Seminar Information
Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 01:55:46 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960816014731.2720A-100000 at info-ren.pitt.edu>

Folks,

This is a terrific opportunity for your members to have additional input
regarding Universal Service and how it relates to education and
libraries.
We want to encourage practitioners with hands on experience using network
resources to participate in the seminar. Their perspective is essential!

Please share this information through your Web, mailing lists,
newsletters or
personal contacts. We want to reach as many people as possible.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks very much,

Laurie Maak

=======================================================================

        $1 Billion For Schools at Stake In On-line Seminar


Invest your time... Invest in education... Through your participation
schools and libraries stand to gain $1 billion annually from a Universal
Service fund established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Join the Information Renaissance in an on-line seminar on the provisions
of the Telecommunications Act which deal with Universal Service for
schools and libraries. Participants will include teachers, librarians,
school administrators, Federal Communications Commission staff and
people from the business community.

FCC staff is working to meet a November deadline for implementation of
the Telecom Act 0f 1996. Results of the seminar discussion will be sent
to the FCC for use in their decision about how students can best be
served by the new Telecommunications Act.

Dates of the seminar:  August 26 - September 27, 1996
Online Registration begins August 19.

Topics
% Universal Service provisions of the Telecommunications Act.
% How the Act can help schools and libraries.
% How schools and libraries are using network technology.
% FCC procedures for public involvement

Goals
% Seminar participants learn about FCC procedures.
% Educators tell the FCC staff what technology is needed in local schools
  and libraries.
% Students get tools and training for jobs of the future.

What's at stake?
% Possible subsidies of $1 billion annually.
% Connection of all of the nation's classrooms and libraries to the
Internet.
% Implementation of the Telecommunications Act so that it meets the needs
  of schools and libraries.
% Accelerated introduction of new telecommunications services and lower
  prices to consumers.
% Your comments can influence how the rules are written and the extent to
  which schools and library will benefit.

The Rule Making Process
The Universal Service provisions establish new funding for schools,
libraries and rural health care providers. The FCC has issued a public
"Notice of Proposed Rule Making" on Universal Service. This provides an
opportunity for public comment before a Federal/State Joint Board which
is charged with making recommendations to the FCC on how to implement
the Universal Service provisions of the Telecommunications Act. FCC
staff are presently working with public comments presented to the
Commission and using these comments to help construct the new rules.

Initial funding for the on-line seminar is being provided by the
BellSouth Foundation with additional support from The Heinz Endowments.
Additional funding will be sought from other telecommunications providers
so that the seminar can serve teachers, librarians and other interested
people from regions across the United States.

For more information visit the Information Renaissance web site
        http://info-ren.pitt.edu

Or, send electronic mail to: info at info-ren.pitt.edu

You can help us spread the word
% Link the Information Renaissance site to your web site
% Include information about the seminar in newsletters to your
  constituents.

8/8




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