PA. COLLEGE CONSORTIUM EXPANDS:

In Lancaster, Pa., Franklin & Marshall College President John Fry recently announced the addition of Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges to the Shared Services Consortium (SSC). The SSC, which includes charter members Bucknell University, Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College and Gettysburg College, allows its institutions to pool their buying power to contain the costs of higher education. In addition, the consortium makes its benefits available to other educational institutions in the state. “Adding Bryn Mawr and Haverford greatly enhances our potential success for future projects,” said John Shaddock, president of the SSC. Established in 1998 with the assistance of the Mellon Foundation, the SSC has collaborated on projects such as monthly tuition payment plans, basic life insurance, communications, disability, NCAA sports insurance and student sickness and accident insurance. Its workers’ compensation project currently benefits 18 Pennsylvania colleges, universities and preparatory schools. “The SSC has already proved that savings can be realized by combining insurance programs and through the combined purchasing of some goods and services,” said Bryn Mawr College President Nancy J. Vickers. Members hope to further reduce costs with future projects targeting energy, staff training, auto insurance, property insurance, health insurance and dental insurance.