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History of U-CAN

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The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) has worked on U-CAN since mid-2006 in close consultation with the National Association of Independent College and University State Executives (NAICUSE), member presidents, and a number of other associations representing independent institutions. The development of U-CAN is rooted in growing concern among American families, members of Congress, and the U.S. Department of Education about the need for better college consumer information.

Over the course of a year, focus groups conducted across the nation and involving a diverse set of participants identified the types of information that consumers look for and need in order to make an informed college decision. The groups also indicated the best ways to display and present the information. The U-CAN institution profiles reflect the input of the focus groups, providing the information consumers need in a way that they can use it.

In mid-April, 2007, the NAICU board of directors unanimously approved plans to fully develop and launch U-CAN. The successful field testing of the system by a small group of participating institutions in mid-August, 2007, led to an invitation for general institutional participation at the end of August. By the time of the public launch on September 26, 2007, more than 600 institutions will have joined U-CAN.