Fall 2021; Resolution Number: 7.01
Whereas, The legislative intent of California Education Code §78052 is “that community college districts develop and implement zero-textbook-cost degrees and develop open educational resources for courses to reduce the overall cost of education for students and decrease the time it takes students to complete degree programs”;
Whereas, California Education Code §78052 requires that districts “Develop degrees with consideration for sustainability after grant funding is exhausted, including how content is updated and presented,” “ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (Public Law 104-197) and the federal Copyright Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-553),” “develop and implement a degree that other community college districts can use or adapt,” and “ensure faculty shall have flexibility to update and customize degree content as necessary within the parameters of this program”;
Whereas, The option to update and customize course content is only available when course resources are openly licensed; and
Whereas, Accessibility and licensing concerns may be barriers to resource adoption, curation, and development;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges request that the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, as part of the Zero-Textbook-Cost Degree Program, explore the provision of centralized accessibility and licensing support to local colleges and districts.