Mission
The Boston Consortium for Higher Education empowers its member institutions to thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment. Through innovative programs, initiatives, and thought leadership, TBC enables members to improve their financial and operational performance and the quality of their offerings.
TBC’s institutions collaborate on shared services, contracts, and best practices through a Board of Directors comprised of the Chief Financial Officers of the member institutions and 25+ communities of practice. Our goals include cost savings, collaboration, reducing redundancies, and developing new strategic offerings that meet the ever-changing needs of our diverse membership.
Member Institutions
The Boston Consortium was established in the fall of 1995 by the Chief Financial Officers of 11 Boston-area colleges and universities. The Consortium is currently comprised of 24 institutions across New England.
Amherst College
Babson College
Bentley University
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brown University
Bryant University (affiliate)
College of the Holy Cross
Curry College (affiliate)
Emerson College
Harvard University
Lasell University
M.I.T.
Northeastern University
Olin College of Engineering
RISD
Simmons University (affiliate)
Suffolk University
Tufts University
University of New England (affiliate)
Wellesley College
Wheaton College
Professional Development
TBC has a strong history of shared services and collaborative programs that provide value to one or more of its member institutions (and in some cases, non-member institutions). Examples of recent TBC cost savings and development programs available are listed below.
Trustee Training: Advancing Board Effectiveness Through Financial Oversight and Governance Best Practices
In response to M.G.L. c. 69, § 31B(e) requiring private higher education trustees to receive instruction and training in higher education financial metrics, legal and fiduciary responsibilities, TBC hosted a webinar training on January 26, 2021 that meets the requirements of the new Massachusetts law. The training is now available online and has been viewed by over 1,500 registrants from 150 entities in 19 states.
Susan Vogt Leadership Development Program
The Susan Vogt Leadership Development Program honors the remarkable work and spirit of Susan Vogt, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Wellesley College from 2000 to 2003. Designed for up to one fellow from each TBC member institution, the Susan Vogt Leadership Development Program 2.0 leverages experiential learning, behavioral theory, and coaching principles to help participants increase self-awareness, enhance communication and collaboration skills, and lead with greater intentionality and impact. You can learn more about the Susan Vogt Leadership Development Program here.
Communities of Practice
Through TBC’s Communities of Practice (CoP) meetings and listservs, members share best practices, brainstorm ideas for new shared services and contracts for cost savings and deepen their collegial relationships through collaboration. TBC and its members are committed to conducting TBC activities in compliance with the law and to do so, agree to an Anti-Trust policy for the conduct of TBC meetings and other business. Below is a list of TBC’s most recent CoPs.
Benefits
Budget Directors
Campus Operations
Chief Communications / Marketing Officers
Chief Human Resource Officers
Chief Information Officers / Cybersecurity
Chiefs of Staff
Compensation
Controllers
Employment Managers
Facilities
Finance
General Counsels
Organizational Development & Training
Payroll
Procurement / Supplier Diversity
Student Health Directors
Sustainability
Title IX Coordinators
Shared Services
- Internal Audit Services is best compared to having an in-house single-staffed audit department without the restraints of that single-staff’s skill set. The sharing of hours and staff within the TBC model not only allows institutions that could not otherwise afford more than one in–house FTE to have access to these reviews, but also allows them to have multiple areas of coverage within their internal audit fiscal year. You can learn more about Internal Audit here.
- Risk Management Group allows member institutions to continuously improve their risk management profile by having access to an experienced insurance and risk manager. In addition, the use of a risk purchasing group allows TBC members to maximize their buying power with regard to insurance, loss control, and loss prevention programs. You can learn more about Risk Management here.
- Academic & Health Travel Program (A&HTP) is a managed-travel program which provides members with access to competitive travel discounts with travel suppliers. Program objectives are to maximize discounts, help institutions control or avoid costs, support institutional and traveler requirements, drive additional value through the institution’s selected agency, and share best practices. TBC also provides information to members on industry shifts that impact pricing, travel emergencies that may impact travelers, regulatory changes and governmental advisories. You can learn more about A&HTP here.
Shared Programs
June 1, 2024 launched edRISK (edPROPERTY and edLIABILITY)
TBC Contracts and Resources
TBC Members have access to the Group Procurement contracts below:
| Dryden Procurement Technologies, LLC | Office supplies contract management and audit |
| Supplier. IO | Small and diverse supplier data information |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific | Lab equipment |
| Travel | Airlines (Domestic & International)
Ground Transportation: Car and Truck Rentals (Domestic & International) Rail (Amtrak – NE corridor) Hotel (Local Properties) |
| WB Mason | Office supplies |
Consortium pricing also in place at:
Baker Tilly (IT audit services)
Better Manager (leadership development and coaching)
ClearRock (HR/outplacement)
CSI and Hire Image (HR/background checks)
Essex Strategies (crisis communication strategy)
EY (remote workforce resources)
The Flowers Counsel Group LLC (legal/contract review)
Jackson Lewis, P.C. and Littler Mendelson, P.C. (legal/compliance support for remote work)
KnowBe4 (security awareness training)
Zeep (technology recycling)
Shared Repositories:
Attorneys for Title IX Cases
TBC Board of Directors and Staff
A current list of TBC Board of Directors and staff members can be found here.
Have More Questions?
Please send an e-mail to info@boston-consortium.org.