We Need a Campus OER Policy, Now!

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In August of 2009 Academic Policy 1406.30, Textbooks and Course Materials policy was enacted for the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus.  This policy was created to help the university meet the requirements of Arkansas state textbook legislation.  This policy regulates adoption deadlines, bookstore notification, and sets guidelines and expectations for faculty inducements and royalties.  And while this policy sets important standards, an additional policy focused on Open Educational Resources (OER) is needed. We need a new policy encouraging the consideration, adoption, adaptation, and development of OER.  

Fast forward to 2017, availability and access to OER has skyrocketed.  OER confronts the primary issue that spurred the state legislature to pass a 2007 textbook bill aimed at combating the high cost of textbooks.  The legislation reads as follows:   

SECTION 2. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It is found and determined by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that textbooks and course materials  for state-supported institution[sic] of higher education students are often  purchased at higher prices than necessary or not at all due to a lack of  competitive advertising; that students sometimes do not purchase needed textbooks and course materials due to a lack of funds; and that the passage of this act is immediately necessary to enable students to obtain the  textbooks and course materials needed to help ensure a quality education at a  more affordable price. Therefore, an emergency is declared to exist and this act being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace,  health, and safety. . .  (Arkansas State Senate Bill 29, Act 1205)   [My emphasis added in bold]

This bill allowed off campus bookstores access to adopted textbook lists but did it really improve the ability of students to afford textbooks?  Textbook prices continue to rise regardless of vendor.  More affordable rentals exist but only allow students to access the material for a specific time. This ten-year-old legislation has not solved the problem.  But, OER can.  Implementing a campus OER policy is the answer, not offering other bookstores the ability to competitively advertise textbooks!
  
Tools and opportunities to create and share OER abound.  What are we waiting for?  An official campus OER policy would

  1. Provide the official support needed to move the effort forward. With support from University leadership, the board of trustees, and even the state legislature, OER can flourish.  Several states have passed bills and some colleges and universities have set campus policies encouraging faculty to explore OER.  
  2. Raise awareness of OER on campus.  A campus OER policy will increase interest and encourage faculty to learn more about OER and explore creating OER.  
  3. Assist with student retention efforts. The newly created Office of Student Success is focused on creating programs to retain students.  One of these programs (Arkansas STEP)  addresses first-year students with unmet financial need by offering one-time grants to help them persist.  Decreasing the cost of course materials can also help address this issue.  Moreover, all students would benefit from decreasing the cost of course materials.  This would positively impact students who lack the funds needed to adequately pay for their courses, living expenses, and course materials. And finally, it would,  
  4. Improve teaching and learning.  Faculty can better shape the courses they want to teach and innovate their teaching practice with open resources.  Students can participate in their learning by using OER and working as class participants to improve resources.  

Scott Jones, "Arkansas" CC By-NC-SA 2.0
The University of Arkansas-Fayetteville needs a campus OER policy!  The University Libraries and Global campus have partnered to lay the groundwork for this policy by providing consultation, support, resources, and incentives for the expansion of OER at the university.  More support is needed.  Talk to your faculty senators, your department heads and deans, and the Chancellor and Provost to encourage a campus OER policy and express your support and interest.  OER policy is good for The University of Arkansas!



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