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7 Ways to Celebrate Open Education Week

Posted March 3, 2025 in JMU Libraries News, Open Education News

During Open Education Week (March 2-6), we’re celebrating because free and equitable access to information is at the core of what we do. This celebration also reminds us to share how you can help make education more affordable and accessible for your students.

You might have seen the results of the 2025 student survey that show how many JMU students experience textbook costs as a barrier to their education. Open education initiatives can address these problems and keep students thriving at JMU! 

Here are 7 ways you can celebrate Open Education Week!

  1. Apply for a $2,000 stipend to start using open course materials through our Summer Stipend program. Applications will be accepted until March 22. Our Grants & Stipends for Open Education page offers other opportunities. 
  2. Adopt an open textbook: The deadline to notify the JMU Bookstore about your Summer textbook adoptions is March 15, and the deadline for Fall is April 1. Contact Liz Thompson for help finding open and affordable course content. 
  3. Mark your course as having no/low-cost materials: If the total cost of required materials for your course is $40 or less at the JMU Bookstore, please alert the relevant staff in your department so they can add this info to Course Scheduler. The final window to update Fall courses is March 26-29. 
  4. Learn how to create open materials: Join our self-paced workshop at any time. 
  5. Celebrate outstanding open educational resources (OER): Nominate an OER for the Virginia Open Ed Impact Award with a $2,000 honorarium.  
  6. Take our open textbook survey: If you use open course materials in your classes, let us know! Please complete our open textbook adoption survey by May 1. 
  7. Get to know our champion for open, affordable textbooks. Thanks in large part to our Open Education Librarian, Liz Thompson, over 6,300 JMU students saved a combined $768,000+ in book costs last year, and the program is growing!

We’d love to hear from you!

Contact Liz Thompson to share ideas and questions about open education and textbook affordability at JMU.