Affordable Learning @ Seattle University

Affordable Learning @ Seattle University will . . .

• Reduce the financial burden of expensive course materials by enhancing access for Seattle University students to high-quality low, no cost, or open educational materials.
• Empower faculty to innovate pedagogically through training and other educational opportunities to find low, no cost, or open alternatives to traditional course materials.
• Sustainably scaffold the development and deployment of low, no cost, or open course materials, providing faculty with critical support and students with avenues for feedback and response.
• Phase implementation and continue socialization of affordable learning strategies and solutions overseen by a standing Affordable Learning @ Seattle University Committee.
• Provide opportunities for Capital Campaign priorities and investments.

Seattle University’s affordable learning plan has four pillars, which align with our existing Strategic Directions: Institution-Wide Engagement, Engaged Faculty, Informed Students, and Sustainability.
Goals
Institution-wide Engagement: Infrastructure and Advocacy (Strategic Directions Goals 4 and 5)

• Senior Leadership, Student Government, and key campus leaders issue formal, organization-level statements of commitment and support for “affordable learning” as a core principle and practice for the University.
• Socialize the culture of affordable learning at Seattle University beyond just Open Education, including “affordable learning” more generally and ongoing open dialogues about Open Publishing, Open Data, etc.
• Develop incentive structures for participation with affordable learning – e.g., integrate OER activity into Scholarship in the APR process for faculty, and make expanded stipend programs available to help faculty.
• Establish a community of practice with local/regional partners (AJCU, Open Oregon, Independent Colleges of Washington, Open Washington).

Engaged Faculty: Outreach and Education (Strategic Directions Goals 1 and 2)

• Develop training and communities of practice in affordable learning principles and practices as a standard part of faculty/adjunct onboarding and development.
• The Center for Faculty Development and the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation develop and provide educational materials and training series for faculty interested in adopting, adapting, or developing OER for their courses.
• Liaison librarians integrate training materials on selecting OERs and low-cost materials for courses into their regular outreach to their assigned faculty.

Informed Students: Access and Affordability (Strategic Directions Goal 3)

• Provide up-to-date and accurate information about affordable course materials to the campus community.
  • Course schedules and syllabi include information about affordable learning and open resources.
  • Options for affordable course material selection are provided to faculty. (Campus Store)
  • Information about the cost of course materials is conveniently available to students. (Campus Store).
• Utilizing existing survey mechanisms, systematically solicit student engagement on affordable learning @ Seattle University and their experience with course material access and affordability.

Sustainability: Leadership and Accountability (Strategic Directions Goal 3)

• Establish a standing Affordable Learning @ Seattle University Committee, incorporating faculty, staff, and student representatives, and co-led by two Senior Leaders (Dean of Libraries, CIO, etc.) to discuss future development and integration of affordable learning strategies and initiatives on campus.
  • The Committee regularly reaches out to department chairs and associate deans to gauge progress and identify target courses or series of courses that could benefit from assistance in transitioning to affordable course materials.
  • The Committee provides an annual report to the Provost and the campus on the state of affordable learning at Seattle University.
  • The Committee will identify, disseminate, and support applications to grant or other external funding related opportunities to the adoption/adaptation/development of OER by Faculty.
• Establish an Endowed Library Faculty position serving both the Law Library and Lemieux Library constituents (Affordable Learning and Open Content Librarian) to provide consultive, instructional and outreach services to promote faculty, student, and staff engagement with affordable learning.