Resolution 25-04: E-BOOKWORM

Number 25-04
Description Promote adoptions of OER through engagement with faculty and encourage accessible, cost effective learning materials.
Authored by Andres Morales, Chidera Nwankwor, Anari Machungo
Sponsored by Andres Morales, Anari Machungo,
Date Submitted Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Date Considered Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Committee Academic Affairs
Result n/a
Remarks Resolution passed in the Student Senate general body
Whereas The rising cost of textbooks and course materials places a significant financial burden on students, limiting their ability to access essential educational resources and succeed academically; and
Whereas undergraduate students at UTA spend an average of $1,000-$1,240 annually on textbooks, a cost that could be significantly reduced through affordable alternatives such as e-books and open educational resources (OER); and
Whereas digital resources, including e-books, support diverse learning needs through features like adjustable text sizes and interactive tools, fostering inclusivity and academic success for UTA students; and
Whereas UTA currently has an OER department which specializes in partnering with faculty to create free or affordable materials tailored to their classes; and
Whereas professors, Faculty and Instructors who are partnered with the OER department are given an incitive to write their own affordable or no cost textbook for funding up to $10,000.00 through a University-sponsored grant; and
Be It Further Resolved That the university should promote the adoption of low cost and no cost resources by engaging with faculty to encourage their use in curricula and by providing students with accessible and cost-effective learning materials to improve academic success; and
Be It Further Resolved That professors, Faculty, and Instructors be encouraged to write their own no cost or affordable textbooks through OERs to provide for their classes.
Downloadable File Download Resolution 25-04 Routing Documents.pdf