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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The University Libraries has awarded seven Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption grants and three OER creation grants to WMU instructors in December. The grants are anticipated to save �鶹��ýs in 10 courses over $170,000 in textbook costs in based on course enrollments.

The OER adoption grants support WMU instructors in switching from a commercial textbook to free, high-quality online resources. The creation grants support faculty in developing new OER materials that will be used in their courses and made available to instructors and �鶹��ýs globally.

Open Educational Resources are openly licensed teaching and learning resources that are free to access, use, adapt and redistribute.

Western �鶹��ýs in courses funded by the OER grants have saved an estimated $1.3 million in textbook costs since the grants launched in 2019.

“We are pleased to see that instructors are continuing to understand the value of open textbooks for themselves and their �鶹��ýs,” says Michele Behr, scholarly communications and OER librarian.

“The financial savings are a huge benefit to �鶹��ýs,” Behr adds. “Instructors and �鶹��ýs both report an increase in �鶹��ý achievement since open textbooks mean �鶹��ýs always have access to the textbook.”

Textbook costs can impact �鶹��ý stress levels, behavior and academic performance. It affects some �鶹��ýs more, including first-generation �鶹��ýs, �鶹��ýs receiving financial aid and Latinx �鶹��ýs, according to

Western �鶹��ýs taking a course with a grant-funded OER textbook expressed appreciation for 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 �鶹��ý in a post-course OER survey. “It makes me feel like the professor truly cares about their �鶹��ýs and wants everyone to succeed, not just the �鶹��ýs 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."

Visit the �����������������’ webpage to learn more about OER and future grant �鶹��ý for WMU instructors.

Fall 2023 OER Grant Recipients

Creation Grant

• Marie Moreno, BCM 4540

• Dr. Xiaojun Wang, CHIN 1010

• Amy Zufelt, BCM 3700

Adoption Grant

• Dr. Chad Edwards, COM 4710

• Dr. Alvis Fong, CS 5821

• Dr. Lusike Mukhongo, COM 3410

• Dr. Wuwei Shen, CS 4910

• Dr. Chitra Singh, FCS 300

• Katherine Suender, ED 2500

• Dr. Li Yang, GEOG 2560

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.