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Program Overview 

This track includes a $500 stipend and digital badge for completing the requirements. 

The Course Materials Integration Cohort supports individual faculty members who want to redesign a course using affordable learning materials. Participants receive personalized support from an instructional designer and librarian to identify, evaluate, and integrate zero- and low-cost course materials aligned with their course learning outcomes. 

Faculty will explore: 

• Open Educational Resources (OER)
• CSU Library Resources
• Open Access Content
• Immediate Access Programs
• Equitable Access / Flat-Fee Programs 

Participants will create a digital showcase documenting their course redesign and present their work during the annual ºÚÁÏÍø Affordable Learning Solutions Faculty Showcase. 

Program Overview 

This track includes a $500 stipend per participating faculty member (up to four faculty members per collaborative project) and digital badge for completing the requirements.

The Course Materials Integration Collaborative supports teams of faculty who teach the same course and want to implement affordable course materials across multiple sections. 

Working together with instructional designers and librarians, faculty teams will identify, evaluate, and adopt shared zero- and low-cost course materials that improve consistency across sections while increasing student savings. 

Faculty will explore:

• Open Educational Resources (OER)
• CSU Library Resources
• Open Access Content
• Immediate Access Programs
• Equitable Access / Flat-Fee Programs 

Because this track focuses on coordinated implementation, applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss participation with their department chair or college leadership prior to applying.

Participants will develop a collaborative digital showcase highlighting their implementation process, outcomes, and recommendations for scaling affordable learning practices.

Best suited for: Faculty teams teaching multiple sections of the same course.

There is one application for both faculty tracks: 

1. Review the sample application questions.
2. Complete the online application.
3. Select the participation track that best fits your project. Please note: you must include all the names and emails of the faculty who will participate in this track:
   1. Track 1: Course Materials Integration Cohort
   2. Track 2: Course Materials Integration Collaborative
4. Selected participants will be notified by email.

Applicants will be selected by the campus AL$ Committee according to these criteria:

• Intrinsic Motivation: We seek faculty members who are genuinely motivated to assist students in reducing the cost of course materials. 
• Commitment to Affordability: We value faculty members who prioritize affordability when selecting course materials. 
• Large Enrollment Courses: We are interested in faculty who teach courses with substantial student enrollment.
• Addressing Low Grades: We are particularly interested in faculty members whose courses experience a high rate of D’s, F’s, or Withdrawals.
• Lower Division Undergraduate Course Instructors: We are looking for faculty who teach Lower Division/Undergraduate Courses.
• Managing Course Material Costs: Lastly, we appreciate faculty who handle courses with high course material costs.  

Additional Considerations for Track 2 

• Strength of the faculty collaboration
• Potential to scale across multiple course sections
• Departmental or college support for coordinated implementation 

All faculty types are welcome to apply, even if some of these criteria do not align with your current situation. Your passion and unique perspective can make a valuable impact!  

After completing the program, participants will receive a $500 stipend, , and will be featured on the ºÚÁÏÍø Affordable Learning Solutions Showcase. 

1. Attend a mandatory 30-minute kickoff meeting with your assigned instructional designer and librarian.
2. Complete the self-paced course: review all course content and score of 85% or above on all module quizzes.
3. Attend the live (virtual) workshops:
   1. Beyond the Textbook: Finding High-Quality OERs for Affordable and Accessible Learning
   2. Exploring Zero-Cost Materials w/ a Librarian
   3. Building your AL$ Showcase
4. Attend a mandatory consultation meeting with your paired Instructional Designer and Librarian. 
5. Submit the AL$ Questionnaire using our provided template example [PDF].
6. Build a digital MERLOT AL$ Adoption Showcase (see details in the course for showcase expectations); see the 
7. Complete the program evaluation survey and the Chancellors Office Affordable Learning Solutions Reporting Survey, both provided in the Canvas course.

Additional Requirement for Track 2

1. Participate in collaborative planning meetings with the faculty team throughout the project to coordinate the selection and implementation of shared affordable course materials across participating course sections.
2. A mandatory consultation meeting with the faculty teams paired Instructional Designer and Librarian.