Joining the growing chorus of support of a University of California (UC) wide textbook accessibility initiative, Generation Up (GENup) is launching a campaign to promote the adoption and creation of open educational resources (OER) across the UC system with the support of a Michelson Spark Grant. Driven by California’s entirely youth-led advocacy organization, GENup’s work will build support throughout the state by advocating for system-wide change to the Board of Regents, as well as through a grassroots approach, by which they will affect change at the campus level.
Addressing the Exorbitant Costs of Textbooks
At the heart of their initiative lies a commitment to address the exorbitant costs of required textbooks and access codes that burden students across UC campuses. While students have sought out low-cost or free textbook options, the prevalence of single-use access codes for publisher’s materials continues to impose significant financial strains. GENup’s project aims to alleviate the burden by advocating for the widespread adoption of OER, which can eliminate the cost of course materials while enhancing accessibility and equity in education.
As a model for change, GENup identified the Affordable Course Materials Initiative (ACMI) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In less than ten years, the program expanded to provide 125 awards, with upwards of $1 million of student savings.
Moreover, GENup’s project efforts are designed to maximize cost efficiency and scalability. GENup’s grassroots organizing and policy lens centers the holistic solution of OER adoption to ensure students have what they need to succeed on the first day of class, free of cost. Supported by ROI analyses of existing programs, GENup anticipates that universities will readily adopt their approach, paving the way for broader implementation and impact.
Scaling through the UC System and Beyond
“By directly supporting the leadership of students in the open textbooks space, we have the opportunity to move beyond listening to student voices into supporting student action,” Cailyn Nagle, OER Senior Program Manager said. “In the past few years especially, the UC system has made exciting steps in their support of open education. We hope that they continue to expand this support to develop a rich culture of open education across their campuses.”
GENup’s plans to replicate their strategy across UC campuses, empowering them to advocate for greater OER accessibility within their own institutions. They will start the campaign at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and UCLA, leveraging established networks of student activists, and then will expand to other UC campuses, employing similar strategies for success.
The potential impact of GENup’s project on the broader OER space is encouraging. By mobilizing students in OER advocacy, GENup aims to increase support for OER initiatives beyond this effort. Education policy movements thrive on student involvement, and GENup’s project provides a platform for students to actively participate in shaping the future of education.
We eagerly anticipate sharing the impacts of GENup’s campaign and hope to have a ripple effect throughout California’s higher educational institutions!
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
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