Guiding Principles

Corporations play a critical role in helping to achieve the EDUCAUSE mission: as solution providers, collaborators in the research and development of standards, contributors to publications, sponsors of specialized projects and programs, and exhibitors at EDUCAUSE conferences and educational activities. EDUCAUSE appreciates the involvement of corporations in activities and strives to deliver the highest quality programs and recognition to corporate members and customers. The following principles guide the relationship between EDUCAUSE and the corporate community.

• EDUCAUSE is a real partner that strives to provide meaningful value to corporations in recognition of their participation with the association. The notion of quid pro quo guides EDUCAUSE decisions and actions.
• EDUCAUSE interactions with corporations are characterized by the same high degree of professionalism as manifested with institutional members. Wherever possible, the EDUCAUSE approach with corporate members is personalized and collegial.
• EDUCAUSE always respects the proprietary nature of information or products shared by corporations, and is an exemplar with respect to its management of software and hardware licenses.
• EDUCAUSE Board policy limits corporate access to EDUCAUSE institutional members. EDUCAUSE strictly limits access to institutional member demographic information for the purpose of broadcast e-mail communications.
• EDUCAUSE maintains strict editorial control of material published with corporate sponsorship. Corporate presentations at EDUCAUSE events are not for the purpose of pitching products or services.
• EDUCAUSE does not endorse specific corporations or their products and services. It acknowledges corporate participation publicly, but in ways that do not suggest endorsement.
• EDUCAUSE balances conflicting corporate objectives. Both the length of relationships with corporations and the financial level of involvement of these relationships is weighed in determining priority access to sought-after EDUCAUSE services and venues.
• EDUCAUSE is accountable primarily to its institutional members. Institutional member objectives, if ever in conflict with corporate member objectives, take precedence.