Direct purchase of natural gas may help schools and universities avoid increases when price controls on new natural gas are removed. For an educational institution to take advantage of the new regulations, gas must be purchased and transportation arranged, either individually or through a consortium. (TE)

College and university libraries can work together to enhance library access and share resources, but there are problems inherent in such alliances. Existing library consortia illustrate some important considerations in forging a new library consortium, including complexity of organizational processes, funding issues, technology for sharing both…

This paper examines the emerging practice and issues surrounding consortia of educational institutions, formed in Scotland, in order to widen access to higher education for underrepresented groups, and suggests some key strategies for assuring quality in the interests of students. The paper describes the Scottish Wider Access Programme, its…

This report presents the evaluation results gathered from a 2-year study of a drug prevention program involving a consortia of nine colleges and universities located in Alabama and Florida. The consortia effort was intended to: (1) strengthen their respective drug prevention activities; (2) develop policies governing alcohol and drugs; (3)…

Internet2, a consortium effort of over 100 universities, is investing in upgrading campus and national computer network platforms for such applications as digital libraries, collaboration environments, tele-medicine, and distance-independent instruction. The project is described, issues the project intends to address are detailed, and ways in…

This paper describes the development of a New England Cooperative Extension Consortium created for the purpose of developing new approaches for meeting the Cooperative Extension mandate. The consortium formalizes a tradition of informal, multi-state cooperation among the New England Cooperative Extension Systems which operate as a flexible,…

This document is a compilation of 40 newsletter issues published by the Commission on Preservation and Access from 1988 through 1991. The Commission was established in 1986 to foster and support collaboration among libraries and allied organizations in order to ensure the preservation of the published record in all formats and to provide enhanced…

This report highlights initiatives and accomplishments of the National Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Resource Center on Cultural Competency and a related consortium of 12 states and the District of Columbia from October 1992 through September 1995. Following an introductory section, the first chapter focuses on the role of the National MCH…

Strategies that can be used by the dental education profession to develop instructional and information technologies to support curricular reform are proposed. Focus is on strategies that can be successful in a period of scarce institutional resources. Issues discussed include selecting initiatives, technology standards, intellectual property,…

This issue focuses on support and cooperation among various components of the educational community, specifically as this has been achieved by the Willamette Valley (Oregon) Education Consortium, a research-based organization of school districts, educational agencies, and an institute of higher education. The first article describes how schools…

Examines the current interest in consortia among colleges and universities, and describes Five Colleges, Inc., one of the oldest consortiums in the United States. The advantages, challenges, and factors in such collaborative relationships are discussed, with some attention given to financial issues. (MSE)

State/regional consortia for postsecondary support services programs for learning-disabled students can be an effective means of dealing with such problems as overworked staff, personnel without adequate understanding of learning disabilities, declining budgets, and lack of political "clout" to compete for limited resources. Consortia…

Project HAPPIER (Health Awareness Patterns Preventing Illnesses and Encouraging Responsibility) is assembling a consortium of representatives from departments of education in Minnesota, Arizona, Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, Washington, Florida, California, and Puerto Rico to develop curriculum units for migrant children for teaching health…

The State University of New York at Buffalo dental school's reform of basic science curriculum is discussed. The paper first outlines the curriculum review/development process, focusing on incorporation of specific competencies, computer-based curriculum analysis, and the role of a dental schools consortium. The paper then looks at future…

The experience of college consortia suggests that success and sustainability depend on high-level leadership and commitment; clear mission and goals; balance mechanisms for assuring parity of participants; decision-making ability; a third-party, neutral function; adequate funding; clear cost-sharing arrangements; mechanisms for measuring success;…