What does it take to launch and sustain an OER program? This session examines how five community colleges built OER programs from the ground up, with an honest look at the startup and ongoing costs involved. Drawing on a cross-institutional study, presenters will share cost estimates, common patterns, and key differences in how colleges allocated resources. We’ll explore startup ingredients, such as staffing models, faculty incentives, infrastructure investments, and institutional support. Whether you're in early planning stages or looking to expand an existing initiative, you'll leave with real-world examples and a clearer picture of what it actually takes to connect vision to launch.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Identify key cost factors involved in launching and sustaining an OER program.
- Compare case studies of how five community colleges structured and launched their OER programs to recognize common patterns and key differences that can contribute to wider OER adoption and program sustainability.
- Use evidence on OER's academic impact to inform implementation decisions at their institutions.
