This is an optional Innovation & Leadership (IL) credit. IL credits recognize institutions that are seeking innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and demonstrating sustainability leadership in ways that are not otherwise captured in STARS. Scoring in the Innovation and Leadership section is capped at 10 bonus points total.
Credit Language
IL 56: Open and Shared Course Materials – version 3.0
Questions & Answers
How has this credit changed between STARS Version 2 and Version 3?
Minimal changes have been made. A comprehensive list of differences can be found in the STARS 3.0 Summary of changes.
What types of exchange programs or libraries qualify
Institutions should reference peer-to-peer exchange programs or lending libraries that are explicitly designed to ensure that students in financial need have access to required course materials. Conventional textbook buyback and resale programs and library collections that may include copies of textbooks on reserve do not qualify in the absence of a peer-to-peer program.
What are open educational resources (OER)?
Open Educational Resources (OER), OERs are educational materials, textbooks, and other resources that are publicly accessible, meaning that they are openly available for anyone to use and, under some licenses, to re-mix, improve, and redistribute.
Resource, Templates & Tools
- OER Project
- Temple University’s guide to Discovering Open Educational Resources (OER)
- Webster University Open Educational Resources Projects
Suggestions for Institutions
- Work with your institution’s academic affairs unit(s) and/or similar to determine whether access to open and shared course materials is in place, and/or to consider pursuing such efforts.
Example Responses
Potential Data Quality Issues
- Documentation on peer-to-peer exchange programs and/or open educational resources (OER) is required.
- Conventional textbook buyback and resale programs and library collections that may include copies of textbooks on reserve do not qualify in the absence of a peer-to-peer program.