About Us

The Oregon State University Open Educational Resources Unit reduces student costs by partnering with faculty to implement low- and no-cost course materials, saving OSU students $12.25 million in the 2024-25 academic year

What does the Open Educational Resources Unit do?

Operating within the Division of Educational Ventures, the Open Educational Resources Unit supports all Oregon State University faculty—on campus and online—in making high-quality education affordable and accessible.

We partner with OSU faculty to:

  • Develop customized, affordable course learning plans.
  • Apply for institutional OER grants.
  • Reduce overall student textbook costs.
  • Gain university recognition for advancing affordability and pedagogical flexibility.

Through these faculty partnerships, the OER Unit directly enhances OSU student retention, equity, and day-one access to critical learning materials.

Key Performance Metrics (Academic Year 2024-25)

Metric Category
Impact Metric
Total Estimated Student Savings
$46+ million saved by OSU students
Total Enrolled Student Impact
748,000+ students enrolled in low/no-cost sections (duplicated headcount)
Percent Low- and No-Cost Course Sections
32% of course sections are low/no-cost sections

Source: Oregon State University OER Unit Annual Academic Report
(Academic Year 2024-25)

OER at Work: Featured OSU Authors and Publications

The Oregon State University OER Unit provides complete editorial, instructional design, and multimedia support through publishing platforms like Pressbooks. Discover how featured OSU faculty authors are publishing open textbooks to improve classroom flexibility and student equity.

Ashley Hatleberg loads trays at a hatchery, she is an Oregon State Ecampus Natural Resources graduate.

Making Cell Biology Accessible by Dr. Lauren Dalton

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Senior Instructor Lauren Dalton partnered with the OER unit to translate complex cellular mechanisms into a highly visual, interactive, and openly accessible digital resource. This publication ensures students in Oregon and worldwide can access foundational cell biology concepts without financial barriers.

Albert Diaz, Oregon State University Ecampus computer science graduate, writing in a notebook.

Introduction to Epidemiology by Dr. Marit Bovbjerg

Epidemiology Program

Frustrated by traditional, expensive commercial textbooks that lacked instructional agility, Assistant Professor Marit Bovbjerg authored her own open textbook. Recognized as an OER Champion in the State of Oregon, her book provides an interactive framework for introductory public health courses.

Albert Diaz, Oregon State University Ecampus computer science graduate, writing in a notebook. Luhui Whitebear, the assistant director of Oregon State University's Native American Longhouse, stands amid a group of trees on campus.

Defending Privacy: An Introduction to Digital Security by Dr. Glencora Borradaile

School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Professor Glencora Borradaile authored this comprehensive textbook on digital security and cryptography. Designed to be accessible to any curious learner regardless of technical background, this OER balances complex computer science with universal accessibility.

 

Let’s work together

Please contact us using the information below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Stefanie Buck

OERU director

stefanie.buck@oregonstate.edu

Mark Lane

Assistant director

mark.lane@oregonstate.edu