US/ND-4: Re: bona fide request?
Re: bona fide request?
Jan Van Dam (Jan.VanDam@Oakland.k12.mi.us)
Mon, 16 Sep 1996 08:33:19 -0400
On 9.13.96 Ken Hammer asked....
><>How should one define a <i>bona fide</i> request for telecommunications
>services? What minimal justifications should a school, library or
>school district have to offer in support of such a request?
>
>For those telcom rate discounts which I support, the only criteria
>should be the presentation of an IRS qualification as a tax-exempt
>non-profit by reason of educational activity.
>
>--
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>K.F.Hammer Associates Ken Hammer
>management consultations St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
>-----------------------------------------------------------
>
I would strongly argue that ANY request from an educational institution
should be honored. The tax-exempt qualification is fine, but I don't think
that is the question being asked by the FCC. They may be more concerned
with what is a BONA FIDE REQUEST, not who is a BONA FIDE agency to make a
request. In conversation with FCC representative this past summer, this
seemed to be their focus, the "content of the request", not the
"requestor."
If I interpreted correctly, then all requests from educational agencies for
any type of voice, video or data service should be considered bona fide.
Any other approach infers a structure at some level, probably a state
level, to filter and evaluate the requests. I would not endorse that
approach. State agencies have enough to do without checking local
educational requests for electronic services.
Dr. Jan Van Dam
Oakland Schools
School Support Services
(810) 858-1885 voice
(810) 858-2108 fax