Outlines the development of a service delivery network--California Farm Families in Transition--for distressed farmers in Fresno County. Describes the three-tiered prevention model used, initial needs assessment, and services provided in legal, financial, mental health, social, and job development areas. Contains 15 references. (SV)

Presents a history of the development of CANAL, a consortium of colleges, universities, and public corporations in Quebec that was formed to distribute televised courses for distance education of adult learners. The marketing of distance education courses is discussed, and audiences, consisting of students and the general public, are examined.…

The Justice Department's investigation of possible antitrust violations by colleges and universities, which focuses on the way private colleges set tuition rates and award financial aid to students, is discussed. The inquiry centers on groups or consortia of private colleges. (MLW)

Both a classification of the relatively new standards-setting consortia and a theoretical basis for their emergence are developed. It is noted that the theory is based on the confluence of political theory and the theory of markets, and the implications of these consortia for the standards-setting process are considered from theoretical and…

To explore group maturation in an educational setting, the policy board of a teacher center consortium was studied over a year, using ethnographic research methods. The group proceeded through various development stages, but not according to the predicted pattern, and failed to reach maturity. Maturation was disrupted by the director's dominating…

Describes a new organization called LInking Networks for KidS (LINKS). Formed by the National Head Start Association and 13 national early childhood organizations, this national consortium promotes comprehensive services and supports for developmentally vulnerable young children and their families. LINKS goals and member organizations are listed.…

A group of 17 independent colleges and universities in Virginia combine their long distance telephone traffic and network services for an expected savings of $4.65 million over 3 years. The 12-institution consortium that negotiated the plan prioritized service and system criteria and solicited bids from long distance carriers. (MSE)

Perception of a decline in the effectiveness of the college faculty senate, resulting from a number of trends, has aroused new interest in the function of the senate and willingness of elected faculty leaders to confer with each other through conferences in multicampus institutions, regional consortia, and statewide consortia. (MSE)

Describes the Agricultural Satellite Corporation, a consortium of universities and organizations established to conduct agricultural information and instructional services through advanced telecommunications. Looks at incentives that can motivate faculty to plan and deliver distance education programs. (JOW)

Discusses consortium-based licensing as a means of meeting libraries' information resources needs. Topics include information needs, the need for more affordable information, requirements for libraries and for vendors, competition across disciplines, saving money, pricing and market practices, experiences at OhioLINK, and future possibilities.…

A group of selective liberal arts colleges will bar many of their athletic teams from postseason championships as of academic year 2001-02, following an eight-year experiment to see if postseason competition would fit into the colleges' missions. Factors in the decision include students missing examinations and increased tension with faculty over…

Small colleges can be effective in consortial arrangements because they are more independent and often less fiercely competitive than larger institutions, making better personal relations possible. The Associated Colleges of the St. Lawrence Valley in northern New York, with four member institutions, has expanded student opportunities, shared…

Describes the Ohioview Research Consortium, composed of university libraries and government agencies, which was formed to promote the low-cost distribution of government civilian satellite data for public use. Discusses the strong leadership role that the university library component has been called upon to play. (LRW)

In Virginia, a community college consortium for semiconductor education and training programs works with a semiconductor manufacturers' partnership to review programs based on a national core curriculum model. The results are being used to improve curriculum development, faculty training, facility improvement, and student recruitment. (SK)

Private colleges across the country are collaborating to cut costs, streamline services, and increase efficiency. An ambitious Ohio project, involving 35 colleges, to redesign business operations hopes to save $20-25 million. Other efforts include joint classes using interactive television, shared library resources, cross-registration, jointly…