Open Educational Resources (OER) are "teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under a license that permits their free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others." (US Dept of Education, 2017). OER come in many types and formats of resources including:
Textbooks / Courses / Course Materials / Lesson Plans / Videos / Tests / Software / & more
- Cost Savings – OER eliminate the cost of textbooks and educational materials, making education more affordable for students.
- Accessibility – These resources are available online, ensuring that anyone with internet access can use them.
- Customization & Adaptability – Educators can modify OER to suit specific teaching needs and update them as necessary.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing – OER encourage global collaboration among educators and institutions.
- Increased Learning Opportunities – Learners from diverse backgrounds can access high-quality educational materials at no cost.
- Support for Lifelong Learning – People outside formal education can use OER to continue learning new skills and knowledge.
- Diversity & Inclusion – OER can be translated and adapted to different cultural and linguistic contexts, promoting inclusivity.
Appointed by the Provost, members of the OER Committee establish overall policy and guidelines for the implementation and expansion of OER course materials.
Members include:
- Amber Gruszeczka, °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Libraries, Co-chair
- Jasmine Kirby, °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Libraries, Co-chair
- Andrew Bennett, Strome College of Business
- Jonathan Lee, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies
- Eva Maddox, Ellmer College of Health Sciences
- Jennifer Whytlaw, College of Arts and Letters
- Suzanne Van Orden, Ellmer School of Nursing
- Janet Moloney, College of Sciences
- Dimitrie Popescu, Batten College of Engineering and Technology
- TBD, Joint School of Public Health
- M'hammed Abdous, Center for Faculty Development
- TBD
- Kate Escobar, University Village Bookstore
- Marissa Jimenez, ex officio for Academic Affairs
Upcoming Events and News
VIVA Open Grants Due November 5, 2025
The OER Committee, in support of open and affordable course materials across the °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ community, announces a new round of . These grants are designed to empower Virginia faculty with the resources and time they need to redesign courses by swapping expensive course materials for open, no cost, or library options.
Applications are due November 5, 2025.
VIVA, Virginia’s Academic Library Consortium, administers the grant program. Awardees will receive ongoing support from VIVA staff to complete their projects. More information about the grant, including the full Request for Proposals, application guidance, and the application form are available on the .
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ faculty have been very involved in VIVA Open Grants over the years. A list of past grant recipients can be found on the .
For more information:
Informational webinars, with question & answer sessions, will be held at the following times. Registration is required and registration forms are linked:
VIVA Open Office Hours:
Email VIVA: viva@gmu.edu | Email °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ’s OER Committee: oer@odu.edu
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Libraries' Workshop: Introduction to OER & VIVA Programs
Body: Interested in saving students money and supporting academic freedom? In this session, participants will be introduced to open educational resources (OER) and their value to students and faculty. We’ll also discuss ways you can find, adopt, adapt, and create OER, including grants available through the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA). Presented via , and all registrants will receive a link to the recording. This workshop is part of the Libraries' Scholars' Toolkit Series.