Many e-learning service systems fail. This is particularly true for those sponsored by joint industry/university consortia where substantial economic investments are required up-front. This article provides an industry/university consortia reference model validated through experiences with the 8-year-old Teradata University Network. The reference model addresses basic and advanced sustainability capabilities that integrate partner, application, faculty, student, and e-learning service system issues. Our validation of the reference model includes a mapping to the literature regarding recent advances in e-learning service system infrastructures and supported capabilities. One outcome of that validation step is a comprehensive set of capability assessment questions to be used by consortia.