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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The University Libraries at ɫɫ�� Michigan University awarded eight Open Educational Resources (OER) Adoption Grants to instructors in April. The grants are anticipated to save over 1,240 students in 11 courses an estimated $100,000 in textbook costs based on projected summer and fall 2024 and spring 2025 course enrollment.

The OER Adoption Grants support ɫɫ�� instructors in switching from a commercial textbook to free, high-quality online resources. Open Educational Resources are openly licensed teaching and learning resources that are free to access, use, adapt and redistribute.

ɫɫ�� students in courses funded by the OER grants have saved an estimated $1.3 million in textbook costs since the grants launched in 2019. The Libraries expanded the grant program in 2022 to help faculty create open textbooks for ɫɫ�� students and learners worldwide. The Libraries published the first grant-funded open textbooks earlier in April.

ɫɫ�� students taking a course with a grant-funded OER textbook say they appreciate the ease of access and financial relief.

"I remember feeling so relieved at the beginning of the semester when I found out that I did not have to buy a textbook,” shared one student in a post-course OER survey.

“It makes me feel like the professor truly cares about their students and wants everyone to succeed, not just the students who can afford the textbook. I know that there are cheap options out there, such as renting, but sometimes finding and buying the right textbooks can be a huge stressor."

SPRING 2024 OER ADOPTION GRANT RECIPIENTS

• Lori Brown, AVS 3080
• Dr. David Code, MUS 1620 and MUS 1630
• Mandy Cox, SWRK 3510
• Dr. Gary Marquardt, AAAS 2000
• Dr. Shannon McMorrow, MPH 6050 and PH 2320
• Dr. John Saillant, HIST 4245 and HIST 6200
• Dr. Zoann Synder, SOC 3140
• Anthony Wilburn, MATH 1160

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