Anyone out there (Joe B. of Canon?) know if it is possible
to use Canon's Console software to control multiple H1s?
by either 'hot patching' a firewire cable from a laptop to a patchbay
that connects to each camera or possibly by using a FW hub, router
or KVM like switcher?

Nope, not possible through a router or a switcher. You need one license of Console per camera -- in other words, one computer per camera and it must be a direct connection between the computer and the camera.

Thanks Chris. If we go with Canon XL-H1 cameras, the University does
not mind buying the licenses for four cameras, but what I am hoping to
find out is if we can save money by tying them together to one
laptop or PC?

Obviously with a firewire patchbay the connections can be
repatched, but I would venture to guess that the computer
and/or the cameras would not like it?

I'm not sure that a FW patch bay would work. Might be worth a try but I'm seriously doubting it.

Yeah, if one "hot patches" using a firewire patchbay, restarting is probably
necessary, but it would be interesting to find out for real.