Overview
Title
Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Collection: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Alumni Survey
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Maritime Administration wants to ask old students from a special ship school some questions to see how they are doing and improve teaching, but they need to make sure people’s answers stay private and that it's not too expensive. They're asking people to give their thoughts on this by a certain date.
Summary AI
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is requesting public comments on renewing a survey for U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) alumni. The survey will be updated to remove gender-related questions, better align salary ranges with current market standards, revise questions to reflect current learning outcomes, and break down cohort groups by major. The survey aims to help the Academy assess educational outcomes and maintain accreditation. Comments must be submitted by July 7, 2025, and information on how to submit comments is available in the document.
Abstract
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0542 (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Alumni Survey) is being updated to include the following minor changes: removal of gender-related questions, reworded question to reflect the Academy's current learning outcomes, alignment of salary ranges to the current market, and disaggregation of cohort groups at the academic major level. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a notice from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) inviting public feedback regarding the renewal of a survey directed at the alumni of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Published in the Federal Register, the notice sets out the details for submitting comments, highlighting the survey's importance in maintaining the Academy's accreditation by evaluating educational outcomes.
General Summary
This Federal Register notice outlines MARAD's plan to renew an alumni survey for the USMMA, a respected institution that offers degree programs in science and engineering related to maritime service. The document explains that the survey intends to assess alumni opinions on their education and career outcomes, with changes proposed to better align with current standards. These changes include removing gender-related questions, updating salary ranges, clarifying questions to mirror current learning outcomes, and breaking down survey results by academic major. The comments are critical as they will influence the final version of the survey.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several issues and concerns associated with the notice. First, the document does not specify the budgetary considerations for conducting the survey, leaving uncertainties about potential costs and whether these might be wasteful. Additionally, the language about how to submit comments is somewhat complex and may deter engagement from the general public due to its bureaucratic tone.
Furthermore, the document lacks detailed information on how the collected survey data will be utilized to provide tangible benefits to the alumni or improve the Academy's programs. Finally, while the notice states that all comments will be posted without change, it does not address how personal information will be protected, a significant privacy concern for potential respondents.
Broader Public Impact
This notice invites public participation, emphasizing transparency and accountability in federal administration processes. By allowing public input on the survey, it encourages civic engagement and ensures that the survey reflects the needs and concerns of the community, enhancing the overall quality and relevance of the information gathered.
However, the complexity of the submission process might discourage public participation, potentially limiting the scope of feedback the agency receives. This could impact the efficacy of the survey's revisions and subsequently affect the quality of data driving policy decisions and program improvements at the Academy.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For the alumni of USMMA, this survey is pivotal in providing feedback on their education and influencing future improvements at the Academy. Alumni who participate in the survey can help the institution align its offerings with industry standards, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for employment in maritime fields.
On the administrative side, the Academy stands to benefit from refined data about its educational outcomes, which could be used to bolster its accreditation status. In contrast, mariners and industry stakeholders may view these updates favorably if they lead to better-qualified graduates from USMMA joining the workforce, potentially enhancing industry standards and practices.
In summary, while the notice is a step towards inclusive feedback collection and reflects a commitment to improving educational standards, clarity in communication, privacy assurances, and transparency on resource allocation would enhance stakeholder confidence and engagement.
Issues
• The document does not specify the budget or cost involved in conducting the survey, making it unclear whether the spending might be wasteful.
• The language used to describe the method for submitting comments is somewhat complex and could be simplified for easier understanding.
• The document does not provide details on how the information collected from the survey will be used to benefit the respondents or the Academy.
• There is no mention of data privacy or how personal information provided in the comments will be protected beyond stating that all comments will be posted without change.