Three major goals that are consistent and mutually reinforcing are identified: quality education, student development, and retention of students. The factors that encourage persistence in college also increase the benefits of a college education. (MLW)

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)

Retention research shows that the highest amount of attrition occurs around the freshman year. Freshman-year programs designed to support students in their academic and social development and to involve them more deeply with the education process are described. (MLW)

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;…

Leadership training and professional development programs offered by college and university consortia, systems, and professional groups illustrate a variety of program models. All use shared resources and pooled opportunities of institutions of similar types, missions, and interests, keeping costs down and enhancing opportunities for professional…

Exemplary programs that have resulted in greater retention of minority, older, and commuting students are described including: Black students at the University of Delaware, linking cooperative education and educational opportunity at Ramapo College, high-risk adult students at Canisius College, and commuter peer assistance at University of…

The synergy among quality education, student development, and retention as goals for an educational institution provided the impetus for a group of colleges and universities to form a 12-institution consortium. The preeminent requirement for success along all three paths was collaboration between the academic and student affairs domains. (MLW)