Our approach to affordable learning aligns with our Strategic Directions and is systematic and strategic, bottom-up and top-down. Senior Leaders, Deans and Associate Deans in their leadership roles are key players in the affordable learning initiative.
Decanal leadership, vision, and accountability are critical.
What are we talking about when we talk about affordable learning?
- Affordable learning initiatives enable Seattle University to provide more affordable educational content for our students.
- Strategies for affordable learning for our students look to reduce costs by substituting low-cost or no-cost resources in place of high-price commercial textbooks.
- The scope of material used can be wider than Open Educational Resources (OER) - affordable learning initiatives often include library resources, low-cost student-purchases resources, and faculty-provided free resources.
Alignment with Seattle University mission, strategic directions, and work
- Mission: Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world.
- Seattle University's Vision and Values.
- Seattle University’s Affordable Learning @ Seattle University plan has four pillars, which align with our existing Strategic directions.
Opportunities for Decanal leadership in action
- Decanal advocacy
- Recommend school/college representation on the standing Affordable Learning @ Seattle University Committee, to plan and execute the development and integration of affordable learning strategies and initiatives through the remainder of Reigniting Our Strategic Directions.
- Using Affordable Learning @ Seattle University resources, socialize the culture of affordable learning at Seattle University beyond just Open Education, including “affordable learning” more generally.
- With decanal colleagues, issue formal, statement of commitment and support for “affordable learning” as a core principle and practice for the University.
- Convene faculty to address an affordable learning issue, problem or opportunity unique to their school/college/disciplinary areas.
- Faculty/adjunct onboarding and development
- Incorporate the inclusion of affordable learning principles and practices as a standard part of faculty/adjunct onboarding and development.
- All School/College meetings
- Invite Affordable Learning @ Seattle University co-chairs to introduce and discuss the initiative during the inaugural year.
- Schedule Affordable Learning @ Seattle University Committee representatives to speak, share information and regularly update faculty on developments.
- Faculty engagement opportunities
- Contribute to and promote incentive structures for faculty to adapt, adopt, or develop open educational resources.
- Encourage participation in Center for Faculty Development and the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation training series for faculty interested in adapting, adopting, or developing OER for their courses.
- Capital Campaign
- With decanal colleagues, develop opportunities for Capital Campaign to support affordable learning.
Intended benefits/outcomes
- Affordable Learning initiatives directly impact our students - and directly contribute to retention, completion, persistence, success.
- This action plan presents an opportunity to shape institutional innovation in affordable learning at Seattle University.
- This action plan presents an opportunity to participate in and advance existing affordable learning projects in development across campus.