The consortium only became operational in 2005, but most members have been active in making geo-information accessible for more than a decade. Several members participate in other SDIC’s or are LMO’s. The participating universities have undertaken research related to institutional and access policy issues related to clearinghouses and SDI’s/NGII’s, resulting in two very recent phd’s. The strength of the SDIC is bringing together a variety of interests with the common goal of enabling (new) users to find and be allowed to use the geo-information they need to answer their question