Vendor Relations

CLAC members, in general, represent selective "early adopters"of those new technologies which can best support and enhance campuslearning environments in the liberal arts and sciences for studentsand faculty. These colleges make entirely independent purchasing decisions, frequently relying upon candid evaluations from peers before committing major levels of resources to any particular technology or vendor. As private organizations, CLAC members do not necessarily use "RFP" or "vendor list" procedures when they purchase.

The combined undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment within CLAC is nearly 100,000. This nationwide total is exceeded only by the very largest multi-campus public universities in populous states. On a per-student basis, the level of investment in technology is high. CLAC institutions have historically represented a major national source of graduates who became leaders and professionals in the sciences and other fields. Reflecting the collective size and calibre of CLAC, several vendors have recognized CLAC as having "national account" status for the purpose of according especially attractive academic discounts on their products.

Since CLAC has no central office or paid staff at the consortial level, the volunteer board of directors looks to a different member college having a high degree of self-interest to initiate and sustain each vendor relationship for potential benefit to all. Ideally a vendor assigns a discount agreement number to CLAC,and schools interested in that vendor's products can then issue individual purchase orders for desired quantities at will. Rarely can any CLAC member bear the overhead of ordering products on behalf of geographically dispersed institutions.

If a vendor requires a formal agreement with the consortium itself, the CLAC member working most closely with the vendor will involve the CLAC board of directors at an appropriate juncture. The present board member who coordinates vendor relationships is Bret Ingerman of Vassar College.