Access Agreement Update

We have reached an exciting milestone in the renewal of Member (Shareholder) Access Agreements, with the CAUDIT Working Group (CWG) and AARNet representatives finalising the negotiation of a new agreement in April.

CAUDIT and AARNet together wrote to CIOs and IT Directors at each shareholder organisation on the 1^st of May, seeking endorsement of the new agreement, and to highlight its new features, which include:

• Enhanced clarity around members’ ability to on-supply services to third parties, with an approval process that is more objective and transparent, and which will be reviewable.
• Enhanced service level targets for AARNet, and clarity around maintenance.
• In general, fee increases will be tracked to movements in the Consumer Price Index (as opposed to the 15% cap on increases that applies currently), and shareholders will have the ability to seek a downwards adjustment in fees to address temporary reductions in research income or student numbers. Any extraordinary fee increases will be subject to a formal review process.
• The removal of policies as a mechanism for amending the rights and obligations of the parties and a greater level of transparency and consultation of shareholders in respect of variations to the agreement.
• A more balanced position regarding liability.

AARNet has now issued an execution copy of the new Access Agreement to each shareholder institution and is looking forward to working with shareholders to implement the new agreement.

We would like to thank both the AARNet and CWG teams for the hard work completed on behalf of the sector and look forward to the new agreement providing a strong foundation for our relationships over the coming period.