E-rate Update - Problems with Problem Resolution Faxes
Message Posted April 30, 1998
We understand that in recent days many schools and libraries have been receiving Form 471 Problem Resolution Faxes from the SLC and in some cases there has been some confusion. If you receive a 471 Problem Resolution Fax and you submitted more than one Form 471, apparently there is nothing on the Fax that indicates which 471 they are requesting be corrected. Please know that we have been in contact with the SLC and they are working on a way to solve this problem.
In the meantime, if this happens to you, call the SLC at 888-203-8100. The recording will prompt you to press "1" if you have questions regarding your Fax. Give the operator your SLC Control Number that is listed on the first page of the Fax and ask to which 471 the Fax corresponds.
For any other questions on how to correct your 471, call the SLC at the same toll-free number. Even though it doesn't expressly indicate on the Fax that you can call them to assist you, they are prepared to do so. Specifically, the Problem Resolution Faxes are very general in their description of what they are seeking corrected. In order to be sure that your application will be 100% accurate when it is resubmitted, you may want to call the SLC and be sure that your corrections are exactly what they were seeking. In many cases, they will probably pull your old application and see what had been marked that needed corrected.
Finally, today the SLC released the following statement from SLC CEO Ira Fishman:
Dear E-Rate Participant:
>From the launch of the Schools and Libraries Corporation six months ago, we have tried to encourage open communications and acknowledged the need to work continuously to improve the SLC. We appreciate the tremendous effort that applicants made during this first round of applications for the Universal Service Fund, and we know that there are a number of things that we could do to improve the process for 1999. Please consider this an open invitation to share your thoughts with me about how we can do a better job of getting the word out about the E-rate, helping schools and libraries apply for discounts, and maintaining clear communication every step of the way. We are eager for suggestions on everything from our Client Service Help Desk to our fact sheets and advisories; only the Application Forms 470 and 471 themselves CAN'T be changed. The more concrete and specific your recommendations, the better. We will do all we can to implement them.
Please e-mail your feedback directly to me at ifishma@slcfund.org.
Again, many thanks for your hard work during our start-up phase and your help in improving the process for the future.
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Julie L. Tritt
Office of Educational Technology 717/787-5820
Pennsylvania Department of Education 717/787-7222 (fax)
333 Market Street, 10th Floor 00jtritt@psupen.psu.edu
Harrisburg, PA 17126 www.cas.psu.edu/pde.html
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