KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 5, 2020

Affordable Learning Georgia promotes alternatives for student success

Kennesaw State University was awarded the highest number of grants recently among all state institutions to expand access to open educational resources, giving options for students to save money on textbook costs.

In the latest round of funding, seven faculty and instructors received grants, totaling $139,400, from Affordable Learning Georgia, an initiative of GALILEO and the University System of Georgia. ALG promotes student success by increasing the availability of affordable alternatives to expensive commercial textbooks.

“We’re very pleased with the continued positive support for Affordable Learning Georgia – both at the system level, and in the enthusiastic proposals we receive from USG institutions,” said Lucy Harrison, assistant vice chancellor for academic library services and executive director of GALILEO. “One in five classes taught across the university system now offers free or low-cost course materials, and we’re proud of the part we’ve played in helping to make that happen.”

The KSU grants range from $30,000 to $2,800 each and the faculty members awarded include:  

• Sarah North, computer science
• Rebecca Rutherfoord, information technology
• Daniel Farr, sociology
• Lin Li, systems engineering
• Meng Han, information technology
• Uttam Kokil, interactive design
• Ulrike Ingram, geographic information systems

Since its inception, the ALG grant program has awarded nearly $5.6 million in funds to support adoption, adaption and creation of no- or low-cost learning materials in USG courses. Now in its 16th round of awards for ALG’s Textbook Transformation Grants, the awards provided $359,000 grants to 11 USG colleges and universities.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.