Five Colleges, Incorporated: Joint Administrative Programs

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Compliance and Risk Management Program
The four colleges share the expertise of the Five College Director of Compliance and Risk Management Elizabeth Carmichael, and Insurance and Claims Specialist Stephen C. O’Neil. Elizabeth (Beth) develops and manages the compliance oversight programs for the member colleges. She and Stephen are specialists in designing and purchasing the most appropriate insurance coverage for the colleges, providing claims management services, and consulting with the colleges on risk prevention and litigation avoidance techniques. This project was initially created with outside funding but, as a consequence of its success, is now funded by institutional support. The Compliance and Risk Management office is based at Mount Holyoke. Visit the Five College Compliance and Risk Management Web site for more information.

Joint Purchasing
The four colleges and the University are members of a state-wide purchasing consortium, Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC). MHEC draws up common contracts for goods and services that consolidate the buying power of many schools in the Commonwealth. The staff of MHEC is based at the University's Amherst campus, which also serves as the marketplace for buyers and sellers state-wide. Each year, the five colleges realize a cost-avoidance of several millions of dollars through MHEC.

Meal Exchange
By special arrangement among the food service directors, a student enrolled in a meal plan at the home campus may receive permission to have meals at another campus without additional charge. Originally conceived as a support to the Five College Interchange, the current guidelines state that to have breakfast or dinner at another campus, an academic commitment must be involved.

Sustainability Programs:
Recycling and Energy Efficiency
For more than a decade, the four colleges shared the services of a Five College Recycling Manager, assisting each campus in upgrading its educational campaign and improving methods of recycling as well as the marketing of specified waste materials. The colleges continue to cooperate with the university's own program of recycling and utilize its recycling facility. Until recently, Amherst, Mount Holyoke and Smith colleges shared the services of an energy efficiency manager who, over several years, significantly improved energy efficiency in generation, building, and consumption. Our sustainability programs personnel, in conjunction with college leaders, are assessing new directions for sustainability programs among the colleges.

Click here for information on Joint Faculty Appointments and academic programs.

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