PUBLIC LAW 105-244 —OCT. 7, 1998 112 STAT. 1797 "(b) PLANNING GRANTS. —The Secretary is authorized to make planning grants to institutions of higher education for the development and testing of innovative techniques in postsecondary education. Such grants shall not exceed $20,000. "SEC. 742. BOARD OF THE FUND FOR THE DIPROVEMENT OF POST- 20 USC 1138a SECONDARY EDUCATION. "(a) ESTABLISHMENT. —There is established a National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (in this part referred to as the 'Board'). The Board shall consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary for overlapping 3-year terms. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Any member of the Board who has served for 6 consecutive years shall thereafter be ineU^ble for appointment to the Board during a 2-year period following the expiration of such sixth year.
- (b) MEMBERSHIP.—
- (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secreta^ shall designate one of
the members of the Board as Chairperson of the Board. A majority of the members of the Board shall be public interest representatives, including students, and a minority shall be educational representatives. All members selected shall be individuals able to contribute an important perspective on priorities for improvement in postsecondary education and strategies of educational and institutional change. "(2) APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR. —The Secretary shall appoint the Director of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (hereafter in this part referred to as the
- Director)
- (c) DUTIES. —The Board shall—
- (1) advise the Secretary and the Director on priorities
for the improvement of postsecondary education and make such recommendations as the Board may deem appropriate for the improvement of postsecondary education and for the evaluation, dissemination, and adaptation of demonstrated improvements in postsecondary educational practice; "(2) advise the Secretary and the Director on the operation of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, including advice on planning documents, guidelines, and procedures for grant comp^etitions prepared by the Fund; and "(3) meet at the call of the Chairperson, except that the Board shall meet whenever one-third or more of the members request in writing that a meeting be held. "(d) INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.— The Director shall make available to the Board such information and assistance as may be necessary to enable the Board to carry out its functions. "SEC. 743. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 20 USC 1138b. "(a) TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES.— The Secretary may appoint, for terms not to exceed 3 years, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, not more than 7 technical employees to administer this part who may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates. "(b) PROCEDURES.— The Director shall establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating grants and contracts made or entered into under this part. Procedures for reviewing grant applications or contracts for financial assistance under tms section may not
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