The EDUCAUSE Network Policy Council

As a special advisory body, the EDUCAUSE Network Policy Council (NPC) strives to understand the full range of network and telecommunications policy issues confronting the research and education community, to enhance the capabilities of this community to manage and respond to these issues, and to work in a collaborative fashion to catalyze the community's formulation of a coherent policy message.

To this end, the NPC works with EDUCAUSE policy staff and the community to:

• anticipate developments in advanced research and education networks that will require policy analysis and advocacy;
• develop, test, and promote public policy positions on networking and telecommunications that effectively represent the interests of the research and education community;
• establish collaborative relationships on networking policy matters with
  • institutions that support the various types and sizes of research and education networks;
  • federal agencies and industry groups that have interests in research and education networking; and
  • associations, consumer groups, and others whose participation in policy advocacy will advance NPC goals;
• conduct an active networking policy outreach and communications program within the research and education community and elsewhere as needed;
• create mechanisms for participation in policy development and advocacy of individuals and organizations in the research and education community with relevant expertise and interests;
• function as an information source on networking technology and policy for legislators, agency officials, college and university officers, and their associations; and
• pursue legislative and regulatory outcomes that support the continued evolution of the Internet as an increasingly powerful, open, and universal network for research, education, and broader social goals.

Members of the NPC are appointed separately; the NPC is not part of the association's volunteer process.