M State Joins Open Educational Resources Program to Make College More Affordable and Accessible
Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead has announced its participation in the Institute on Open Educational Resources, a program aimed at making education more affordable and accessible. The college’s yearlong engagement with the program will focus on providing free or low-cost textbooks and instructional materials to students pursuing a degree. By joining 47 other institutions across the country in the 2023-2024 institute, M State aims to increase affordability and improve student equity, retention, completion, and overall success rates.
Open Educational Resources courses offer teachers and students access to educational materials, ranging from individual lessons to entire textbooks, free of charge. This initiative not only strives to make education more affordable but also aims to level the academic playing field by providing resources to both educators and students. M State believes that implementing strong Open Educational Resource strategies will result in reduced performance gaps and lower withdrawal rates.
Alicia Carley, Dean for the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, expressed the college’s commitment to expanding the program by creating more offerings. The guidance provided by the Institute on Open Educational Resources will facilitate the development of a sustainable plan that will allow M State to continue its efforts in the future.
As part of the Open Educational Resources push organized by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, M State will partner with expert consultants to design strategies beneficial to students. A team consisting of faculty leaders, librarians, campus store coordinators, and marketing and IT staff will work together to tackle M State’s Open Educational Resources program. Their goal is to expand the selection of Zero Textbook Cost Degree Programs, also known as Z-Degrees, which can save students approximately $2,000 per year.
Currently, M State offers 70 Z-Degree courses and one complete program, with plans to add two more full programs by 2024. Under the OER program, the team hopes to introduce an additional 25 courses in 2025 along with three new programs.
Marsha Weber, Dean of Extended Learning, emphasized the significance of removing barriers for students and how this team’s efforts will enhance M State’s impact on affordability, equitability, student success, and cultural responsiveness.
M State enrolls over 6,500 students in credit courses across 70 online and in-person programs. The college’s commitment to making education more accessible and affordable aligns with similar initiatives at neighboring institutions. Recently, North Dakota State University introduced its NDSU Tuition Award Program, and Concordia College unveiled its Concordia Promise program. These programs, along with M State’s efforts, aim to increase enrollment and counteract Minnesota’s new North Star Promise, which provides financial aid to eligible resident students.
By participating in the Institute on Open Educational Resources and partnering with various organizations, M State is taking significant steps towards making college more affordable and accessible for students. Through the provision of free or low-cost textbooks and instructional materials, the college hopes to improve student outcomes and create a more equitable educational landscape.
