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Affordable Course Materials Leading Impact Program

The Affordable Course Materials (ACM) Leading Impact Program supports and recognizes individual faculty, as well as entire academic departments, in their adoption, adaptation, and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER) in their courses. Each year, the program supports activities that lead to decreasing the costs of course materials for students. Spending less money on required learning materials is one step toward making college more affordable and, therefore, more equitable.

ACM Awards Program

This program recognizes departments and individual faculty who consistently offer courses that use low or zero-cost materials.

Department Recognition

Departments offering the highest percentage of course sections using low ($40 or less) or zero-cost course materials in the academic year will be recognized and receive a financial award. Percentages are determined by the number of department courses with low or zero-cost course attributes and the total number of courses offered by the department. Awards will be dispersed by the mid-semester break of the spring term.

• Departmental Achievement: The highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero-cost course materials. The department receives $2,000 and a framed certificate.
• Departmental Honorable Mention: The second highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero-cost course materials. The department receives $1,000 and a framed certificate.
• Departmental Outstanding Effort: The third highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero-cost course materials. The department receives $500 and a framed certificate.

ACM Faculty Recognition List

Faculty who consistently teach with low or zero-cost materials courses (at least two consecutive semesters or spring and fall terms) are recognized on the university's Open Education Website, with special recognition for those faculty who taught low or zero-cost materials courses for 2 or more years and/or two or more courses.

ACM Integration Cohort

The cohort will focus on developing OER and/or open ancillary materials for 11 high-impact undergraduate courses. The Affordable Course Materials cohort is currently funded by a Secretary of State/Illinois State Library grant.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposed projects will be evaluated on:

• Total projected savings for students (based on the cost of previously required course materials).
• Anticipated enrollment for the course (based on previous semester enrollments). Include the number of course sections that will use the materials, if applicable.
• Preference will be given to applications for high-enrollment courses (50 students or more per section or courses with multiple sections that add up to 50+ students per semester).

Participation Requirements

Upon acceptance, participants commit to:

• Attendance at monthly meetings to learn how to locate, access, evaluate, and integrate low or zero-cost materials into their courses.
• Incorporation of practices that address diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Replacement of required course materials that students pay for with materials that result in a total cost for course-related materials of $40 or less.
• Implementation of the ACM syllabus in a course for an entire academic year or two consecutive semesters of the course being offered.
• Completion of a faculty survey.
• Oversight and submission of a student survey.
• Participation in the collection of de-identified student impact data.
• Participation in an affordable course materials presentation on campus.
• Funds will be disbursed to participants upon completion of the project.

Cohort Frequently Asked Questions

• How often does the cohort meet? The cohort meets once a month, starting in November through April. The meetings will be online.
• Can I join the cohort if I only teach online? Yes, the cohort accepts applications from all full-time and adjunct teaching faculty.
• I'm a teaching assistant, can I join the cohort? No, graduate teaching assistants are not eligible for the cohort.
• When will I know if I'm part of the cohort? Faculty will be notified by October 30, 2023.

Department and Faculty Recognition Frequently Asked Questions

• Do departments need to apply to be recognized for the ACM Awards? No, departments do not need to apply to be recognized. Percentages are determined by the number of departmental courses with low or zero-cost course attributes and the total number of courses offered by the department.
• I have been using low-cost or zero-cost course materials in my courses for several semesters. Is there a way for me to be recognized for my efforts prior to the University's initiative? Faculty who have already adopted low or zero-cost course materials can be recognized on the university's faculty recognition page. Faculty may also work with their scheduler to have their courses designated as low or zero-cost courses.