February 13, 2009

Sharing Ideas: Tough Times Encourage Colleges to Collaborate

By PAUL FAIN, GOLDIE BLUMENSTYK, and LIBBY SANDER

Despite its veneer of cooperation, higher education is a competitive industry, where resource sharing is eyed warily. But the recession is chipping away at that reluctance, and institutions are pursuing partnerships, both to cut costs and to keep pace with expanding academic fields.

Joseph E. Aoun, Northeastern University's president, says cooperation helps colleges better leverage their resources. Through partnerships, they can expand their fields of research and teaching, such as in