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International Business Machines Corporation -- Developing the Smart Catalogue/
Adviser, the main access point for students and institutions seeking to list or learn about Western Governors University courses and services. I.B.M., which says its work on the catalogue is worth more than $1-million, is to receive $375,000 from W.G.U. and will treat the balance as an in-kind donation.
The Monitor Company -- Developed the W.G.U. business plan and continues to provide business advice. The Massachusetts company is to be paid $175,000 for its initial work and up to $25,000 a month for future services.
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National Center for Higher Education Management Systems -- Developed some of the initial academic plans for W.G.U. and has since been identifying the "competencies" that students will have to master to qualify
for certificates and degrees. The Colorado company is being paid a total of about $500,000 under several contracts, including some initiated while the institution was under the auspices of the Western Governors' Association.
Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications -- Coordinates all of W.G.U.'s arrangements with participating institutions, advises I.B.M. about student services that should be included in the on-line catalogue, and helps W.G.U. select the institutions and companies that will provide the services. An offshoot of the non-profit Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, this Colorado organization is being paid $500,000.
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University of New Mexico -- Will provide on-line library access to W.G.U. students, along with reference assistance and interlibrary-loan services. It will also provide Internet access to students who need it. The university's contract is not final but is expected to run in the range of $80,000 to $100,000.
Washington State University -- Will handle registration and billing. The university's contract is not final but is expected to run in the range of $100,000 to $150,000.
Follett Express -- Will provide on-line bookstore services to W.G.U. students and may also sell caps, mugs, and other merchandise. The company, which is the distance-learning division of Follett Campus Resources, in Illinois, is expected to make its money from sales, with a percentage of its revenues going back to W.G.U. A university official has indicated that the contract may be contested by another bidder, but would provide no further details.
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