The OCW Consortium was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 2008. Many people put in the work required to transform the Consortium from a loosely tied affiliation of like-minded people to a more organized entity that is at the center of the worldwide movement of opening up education. As the Consortium makes new strides in this different capacity, the decision to collect membership dues was made by the Board of Directors at its April 2009 meeting. Membership dues, along with grants and other revenue sources, will allow the Consortium to continue playing its important role on a global scale. Paying the membership dues is a means for each member institution to express commitment to taking ownership of the Consortium. ‘Inclusive’ has always been one of the core values of the Consortium, therefore, institutions that do not have the resources for membership dues can request a partially or fully subsidized membership. Please contact us for more information. The 2010 membership fee structure is as follows.

Details on each of the member categories and associated fees can be found here.

The lead contact at each member institution has received a letter outlining the new membership categories and asking that the institution declare their membership category. Invoices based on these categories have been sent to each institution. Thank you to those of you who have already paid Membership Dues for 2010. Some institutions have expressed interest in becoming sustaining members of the Consortium, and we are seeking more members who will assist in securing financial sustainability of the Consortium. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information. And, as always, your feedback is welcome.