ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's Open Educational Resources (OER) Initiative has made significant strides since its inception in the spring of 2023. Collaborating with faculty, the initiative has championed the adoption, adaptation, and creation of OER at UNM and two other New Mexico colleges. Projections based on historical enrollment and textbook costs estimate student savings from the OER initiative to be between $466,000 and $486,000 for the Academic Year 2024-2025.

In the spring of 2023, Jennifer Jordan, UNM's OER librarian, with the support of the OER Working Group and Elisha Allen, director of Online Strategies and Academic Technologies crafted a $2.125 million grant proposal for the Department of Education’s Open Textbooks Pilot Program. This proposal led to a successful grant award in the fall of 2023, which funded the establishment of the New Mexico OER (NMOER) Consortium. The founding members of the NMOER Consortium include UNM, Santa Fe Community College and Central New Mexico Community College.

The grant outlines a three-year plan to develop an OER hub in partnership with multiple New Mexico Higher Education Institutions, workforce partners, and departments within UNM. Significantly, the grant provides support resources for OER material development through a collaboration with the University of New Mexico Press. Year one of the grant focuses on creating OER by faculty; year two on piloting and refining these resources; and year three on expanding the consortium to other higher education institutions across the state. Due to this grant's excitement and visibility generated by these initiatives additional faculty and institutions are expressing interest in participating.

More information about the consortium and UNM’s OER catalog can be found at NMOER Pressbooks' website. Initial courses receiving funding include General Chemistry I for STEM Majors and corresponding lab (CHEM 1215 & 1215L), General Chemistry II for STEM Majors and corresponding lab (CHEM 1225 & 1225L), Quantitative Analysis Lecture and Laboratory (CHEM 2310C), and Teaching Writing to Children and Adolescents (LLSS 430).

Preceding this federal grant, UNM’s OER initiative received some start-up funding through a $100,000 legislative allocation in FY2024 to further develop OER materials. This led to a call for proposals in fall 2023 offering faculty stipends and support to create affordable textbook alternatives. This start-up funding allowed UNM to demonstrate existing momentum in their federal grant application building on successful efforts when awarded.

Through initial state funding, UNM English Department transitioned its core writing program to an OER-based curriculum in fall 2023 reducing textbook costs for approximately 3,500 students per semester saving around $96,500 initially with recurring savings each future semester using these materials. Over summer 2024 English instructors revised their first edition textbook based on pilot feedback releasing a condensed printable version live by fall.

Faculty developed funded courses including:

- Architectural Theory (ARCH 624) - piloting Fall 2025

- Composition Series (ENGL1110/1110X/1110Y/1120)

- Dysphagia (SHS517)

- Heritage Spanish (SPAN1110)

- History Art I (ARTH2110)

- Introduction Latin American Studies (LTAM1110)

- Introduction Medical Spanish(SPAN2420)

- Swahili I(SWAH1110)

- World Literature I(ENGL2650)

To maintain momentum expanding served students/faculty new positions are being hired under grants: Technical Analyst assisting Pressbooks software integration Canvas access seamlessness ongoing hires program coordinator multimedia specialist editor roles progressingly filled Faculty CNMC SFCC actively developing piloting curricula upcoming fall funded by grants.

Thus far substantial campus/community progress made via creation/adoption/adaptation aims making education accessible affordable allowing educators direct content/material control tailored specific learning objectives cultural heritage needs NM students participation annual International Open Access Week Oct21–27 holding events throughout week learn more open access/resources

Learn more about initiative oer.unm.edu

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