| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.54 |
| Liaison | C Jane Hagen |
| Submission Date | Sept. 3, 2024 |
Virginia Commonwealth University
IN-41: Textbook Affordability
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
C Jane
Hagen Sustainability Data Analyst Sustainability |
Does the institution host a peer-to-peer textbook exchange program, textbook lending library, or alternate textbook project?:
A brief description of the textbook exchange program, textbook lending library, or alternate textbook project:
VCU Libraries understands the importance of selecting the right course materials and the burden textbook costs place on students. In response to this, they have created an alternate textbook project that helps make sure students have access to more and more zero textbook cost courses. The Open and Affordable Course Content Initiative (also known as the textbook affordability initiative) supports instructors as they work to transition to zero textbook cost courses, using library-licensed content or other zero cost options.
URL: https://guides.library.vcu.edu/oaccstudents
The initiative assists faculty as they:
Find no-cost or library-licensed materials like ebooks with unlimited simultaneous users.
Create and share original works, customized resources, or ancillaries like test banks.
Assess students’ perception of materials and the impact on their performance.
Though this is focused on faculty, the work is done with student concerns and wants in mind.
Does the institution provide incentives for academic staff that explicitly encourage the authorship, peer review, and/or adoption of open access textbooks?:
A brief description of the incentives to encourage the authorship, peer review, and/or adoption of open access textbooks:
Each yeah since 2017, VCU Libraries has held the Affordable Course Content Award program. The Affordable Course Content Awards (ACCA) support faculty in providing no-cost course materials to their students by providing funding, hands-on project support, and providing faculty development on the open publishing process and open educational practices. Funding amounts vary based on project budget as outlined in the application. Awards are typically between $1000-$2000 for small, individual course projects and up to $15,000 for large, departmental projects.
URL: https://guides.library.vcu.edu/c.php?g=941312&p=10210116
If yes to either of the above, provide:
Optional Fields
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.