By Andrea Vasquez
San Jacinto College is one of nine schools selected to participate in Rice University’s 2018-2019 OpenStax Institutional Partnership Program to further the College’s efforts in providing free to low cost, peer-reviewed digital textbooks and course resources through open educational resources (OER).
OpenStax is a nonprofit based at Rice University whose mission is to improve student access to education. OER are openly-licensed, peer-reviewed digital classroom materials and textbooks that faculty can use and adapt to fit their course’s student learning outcomes. These materials are free or low-cost alternatives to traditional textbooks. According to the College Board, for the 2017 – 2018 academic year, the average student was budgeting between $1,220 and $1,420 for textbooks and course supplies, making textbooks one of the largest barriers to student success and credential completion.
The 2018-2019 participating OpenStax institutions are: Arkansas State University, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Palomar College, San Diego City College, San Jacinto College, Santa Monica College, Thomas Nelson Community College, University of Missouri System and William Rainey Harper College. These institutions are working with OpenStax to develop institution-specific strategic plans to encourage the use of OER on their campuses. These colleges and universities join 37 other institutions, representing 200 colleges and universities and more than 2.6 million students, taking part in the effort to expand the use of OER at their institutions.
“We’re very excited to work with a fellow Houston area higher education institution to drive awareness of alternatives to high textbook costs and solutions to limited resource access for both students and faculty,” said Nicole Finkbeiner, OpenStax associate director of institutional relations. “San Jacinto College is an integral part of helping Houston residents be successful in their educational goals, and this joint effort will encourage even more student success.”
To date, the College has saved students more than $2.1 million in textbook costs, and Open Books course offerings have increased to 1,077 course sections College-wide taught by 160 faculty members with more than 25,694 students enrolled in Open Books courses.
For more information about OER at San Jacinto College, visit sanjac.edu/open-books.
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