Affordable Educational Resources Committee

The Affordable Educational Resources Committee (AERC) is a subcommittee of the Academic Senate and is responsible for promoting and encouraging the adoption of affordable educational resources throughout the college.

The AERC meets as required to promote and facilitate reducing learning material costs to increase equity and improve student success. Meetings take place one time per month during the fall and spring semesters.

The committee shall:

• Identify strategies to reduce textbook, course material, and educational resource costs for students
• Make recommendations that address textbook and course material affordability and accessibility, while respecting academic freedom
• Educate students, faculty, and staff about strategies to reduce textbook and course material costs, including the benefits to student equity and success
• Work with college and district groups in initiatives dealing with affordable textbooks and course materials
• Develop objectives and timelines to accomplish actionable goals

The faculty chair or a designee shall:

• Coordinate AERC meetings; e.g., agenda preparation, proofreading of announcements, and meeting facilitation
• Prepare memos or policy statements on any key Affordable and Open Educational Resource issues requiring lead faculty opinion, e.g. affordable educational resource icon in class schedule
• Serve as the Open Educational Resource Initiative liaison to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. This initiative runs through spring 2024 with the possibility of an extension
• Serve as liaison to the Academic Senate, including presenting a fall semester planning report and an end-of-year summary of achieved goals
• Serve as the liaison to the district-wide Textbook Affordability Task Force

The committee chair is appointed by the Academic Senate President in consultation with the College President. OER creation and adoption is driven by discipline expertise. It is desirable to have at least one faculty member from each Career and Academic Community (CAC) in addition to a librarian. One administrator appointed by the VPI will serve as a liaison between the subcommittee and the Student Learning and Instructional Support (SLIS) branch. Classified professional and student membership is encouraged, but not required.

All members have voting rights. A quorum consisting of 50% overall membership is necessary for voting on and/or approving decision items.