As part of UNA’s commitment to student success, the OER Working Group is opening applications for faculty stipends for adapting, adopting, or creating Open Education Resources (OER) to replace traditional high-cost textbooks and course materials in their classes.  The funds will be awarded to faculty who are pursuing innovative uses of course materials, including technology, textbooks, and ancillary materials that will help reduce the burden of textbook expenses for our students.  Funding will vary depending on the scope and impact of the individual projects and the total number of projects chosen for funding.

Textbook costs have outpaced inflation by 300% over the last 30 years, creating a huge impediment to college success and retention.  Textbooks cost the average student $1,200 per year and 65% of students say they have not purchased a required textbook due to the cost, according to a 2014 Public Interest Research Group survey and the 2018 Florida Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis – there is no deadline to apply.  Possible approaches to course material alternatives include:

• Creating a new open textbook or collection of materials
• Adopting or adapting an existing open textbook
• Assembling a collection of open resources into new course materials
• Licensing an e-textbook, video, or other media content for classroom use or e-reserves
• Using subscribed library resources

As faculty develop proposals, librarians and instructional designers are available to share expertise in copyright, licensing, open access, course management software and tools, electronic reserves, subject-matter content, and multimedia resources.

Stipends are awarded as follows 

Textbook Equity/OER Awards

Primarily Library -Licensed Resources

Primarily OER

To apply for OER funding, first you must complete OER training.  Currently we have a self-paced Canvas course, but the OER Working Group is working on offering small group sessions via Zoom or in person once it is safe to do so. To be added to the Canvas course, send and email to oer@una.edu. Once you have completed the course, you can submit your application here.

There is no deadline for applications, currently we accept them on a rolling basis throughout the year.  Once the OER Working Group has reviewed your application, you will be contacted with any questions or issues and then funding, if applicable and available, will be offered. Once you have accepted the funding offer, an OER Agreement will be prepared for you, your department chair, dean, and the provost to review and sign.

Help is always available!  If you have any questions about finding or using OER, or have questions about applying for the faculty stipend, please email us!