For many student leaders, finding ways to make a post-secondary degree more affordable is a top priority. While student leaders may have heard about the benefits of OER, many may not be aware of the tactics needed to actually transition their efforts into increased awareness and adoption. Further many librarians, teaching and learning support staff and faculty members working to advance OER on campus have not yet collaborated with students. In recognition of this, this workshop will provide attendees with an overview of grassroots tactics, highlighting the benefits of involving students in OER advocacy. Through highlighting successful collaborative OER campaigns, this session will provide attendees with the opportunity to connect, learn from one another and commit to further action that can be taken on their campuses through grassroots organizing.

1. Collaborating with
Students on OER
Advocacy
Brady Yano // @bradyyano
Katie Steen // @katiesteen627
Kaitlyn Vitez // @HigherEdPIRG

2. bit.ly/liboer-action-plan
opentextbookalliance.org/
materials/
slideshare.net/bradyyano

3. #OERganizing

4. Why are
students
ideal OER
advocates?
public service
relationships
personal stories
flexible
ease of access

5. grassroots
organizing 101

6. identify
stakeholders

7. librarians
students
faculty
admin
+ ???
Who are the
potential
stakeholders
on your
campus?

8. power
mapping

9. ● What influences your target?
● Identify relational power lines
● Target priority stakeholders
● Plan, plan, plan
power map each
stakeholder

10. goals

11. sample goals
● Save students money by increasing OER faculty adoptions
● Create a campus-wide OER initiative on campus
● Pass a student government and faculty senate resolution in
support of OER
● Secure a department-wide commitment to increasing the
use of OER in courses
● Secure funding for the creation of a new dedicated OER staff
person

12. actions

13. sample actions
● Start an OER taskforce with representatives from each of
the stakeholder groups identified
● Launch a #textbookbroke campaign
● Host an Open Education Week event focused on student
storytelling
● Work to change your institutional course catalog to indicate
courses using OER and cost-free content
● Share your OER progress on platforms like Connect OER, the
OER World Map

14. considerations

15. ● What barriers and opportunities impact widespread OER
adoption on campus?
● Are there potential avenues for partnerships on campus that
go beyond libraries and student groups?
● How can you ensure sustainability of OER efforts?
considerations

16. case study:
Rutgers University &
the Student PIRGS

17. “NJPIRG has really laid the groundwork for the
textbook affordability efforts at Rutgers… I am really
happy to be able to collaborate with NJPIRG on press
and outreach, in particular, which they're excellent at,
as well as have their support in soliciting applications
and selecting the award winners for our open and
affordable incentive awards.”
Lily Todorinova
Undergraduate Experience Librarian
Open & Affordable Textbooks Program Director
Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ)

18. Building a student
movement for OER
1. Set the campus in national context

19. Building a student
movement for OER
2. Activate decision makers

20. Building a student movemen
for OER
3. Generate visibility & name recognition

21. Building a student
movement for OER
4. Gather data at all phases of project

22. Building a student
movement for OER
5. Never stop campaigning for more

23. #OERganizing
@bradyyano
@katiesteen627
@HigherEdPIRG