Friends Fund OER Grants

This year, USU Libraries issued its first statewide call for Open Educational Resources (OER) grant project proposals. OER are teaching and learning materials that are free for anyone to access, adapt, and share. Not only do they make education more affordable, but instructors can make their learning materials more culturally relevant, diverse, and inclusive than standard commercial materials.

Out of 16 proposals, the Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library are generously funding five projects. These projects come from the Theatre, Music, Mathematics, Biology, and Applied Economics departments.

Thanks to the Friends, USU students taking these classes will save at least $21,000 in the first year—and that’s only the beginning! Other instructors at USU and nationwide plan to adopt some of these materials, greatly amplifying the student savings and impact.