In 2017 and 2019, CSUN was awarded two AB 798 Grant ($100,000) and additional AL$ fundings by the State of California to facilitate the adoption of OER (Open Educational Resources) and affordable materials. The Matador AL$ Faculty Award is a way for faculty to get involved in CSUN AL$ initiatives and is co-organized by the Matador AL$ Faculty Award Committee members from the Oviatt Library, the Campus Store, DRES, and the Faculty Technology Center (FTC).
Note: Where three or more faculty are working to reduce textbook costs for the same course, proposals will be considered only within the Tier 3 methodology. Awards are granted to individuals.
Tier 1 - Project achieves 30-70% savings: Award of $500.
Tier 2 - Project achieves savings greater than 70%: Award of $1,000.
Tier 3 - Project is scalable, locates free or low-cost material for multiple instructors, courses, or department-wide adoptions and saves at least 30% for each included course section. Maximum award up to $1,500.
Notes:
Due to the overwhelming success of the Matador AL$ Award, as of Spring 2020, we are limited to ten grantees. As before, priority is given to first-time applicants, instructors of multiple sections, and classes with traditionally high DFU rates.
With the support of a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, additional funding for the development of cost free textbooks is available for faculty in the business, economics, nursing, animation, graphic design, and manufacturing systems engineering disciplines. For more information, please visit Creating Pathways/Abriendo Caminos project.
Please contact us to discuss any idea that does not fit within the requirements or levels above.
For Fall 2019 Courses (current participants)
Deadline to submit your report: 11/1/2019
For Spring 2020 Courses
Since funding is limited, you are encouraged to apply for Spring participation as early as possible.
Application Due: 11/15/2019
Notification: 12/1/2019
Deadline to provide your new syllabus with AL$: 1/17/2020
Deadline to submit your report: 3/23/2020
*Award payments will be processed at the end of each semester, and timing will vary based on individual faculty workload/FTE, the university’s payroll calendar, and submission of the final report .
All adopted materials must meet copyright requirements and be accessible by all students regardless of ability.
You will be required to
have a consultation session with an AL$ member. The session can be in-person or online.
submit a final project report with student survey results and reflections
commit to using the more affordable alternatives for at least one year after getting the award.
The total student savings must be at least 30% and $1,000 per course section. If you decide to make your course zero-cost, please contact Robert Munck at Campus Store to add a zero-cost course material icon in the Class Search.
Start with this below Award Interest Form so we can start scheduling a one-on-one consultation session (in-person or online) with you before you submit the official application.
