March 20, 2019
Apply by April 15 for Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative funds
Submitted by Sarah McGreer Hoyt
Do you want to join the ranks of K-State instructors who are making a university education more affordable for their students? Rather than assigning a traditional, expensive textbook, consider teaching from a low or no-cost open or alternative textbook.
The Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative provides financial incentives to instructors who convert their university courses from traditional textbooks to O/A texts. K-State faculty can receive $2,000-$5,000 for investing their time and research to make the switch. So far, many faculty members have won awards to convert more than 108 courses from 37 academic departments and units.
The deadline for the current award cycle is April 15. Apply now by completing the application.
If you have questions about the process, attend a workshop on submitting a successful application. Sessions will take place on March 28, April 8 and April 11. Sign up on K-State Libraries events page. Can't be there in person? Participate via Zoom.
For additional questions, contact Brian Lindshield, associate professor of human nutrition; Andy Bennett, department head and professor of mathematics; or the Center for the Advancement of Digital Scholarship at cads@k-state.edu.
The initiative, which launched in 2013, was initially supported through student-centered tuition enhancement grants allocated by the K-State SGA and funding from K-State Libraries. In subsequent years, it has attracted additional funders, including the president and provost's offices, the KSU Foundation and private donors. In total, the resulting textbook savings has exceeded $4 million.