Libraries awards four faculty for using Open Educational Resources

Clemson Libraries has awarded four faculty with the Open Educational Resources Faculty Award for Fall 2025 for implementing low- or no-cost materials into their classes. The estimated savings on textbooks and other learning materials for the students in these classes is approximately $205,083.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are instructional materials, such as textbooks and homework systems, that are openly licensed, free to use and place few limits to distribution and modification. The award provides $1,000-$1,500 to faculty who incorporate OER or other free or low-cost materials into their classes, making the courses textbook cost free or keeping costs per student to $35 or below.

“We are proud to be able to offer this award to recognize and support faculty members who are making an effort to use OER materials and save students money,” said Yang Wu, OER librarian. “Even changing one course to OER can make a big impact, saving thousands of dollars. It can be a game changer for our students.”

The OER Faculty Award Recipients for Fall 2025 are:

LaCresha Green, senior lecturer in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, who is using OER in her business writing class. Around 100 students will be impacted by the change, saving approximately $7,599 in cost.

Ethan Kung, associate professor of mechanical engineering, who is implementing OER into his class on the foundations of thermal and fluid systems, helping 80 students save about $19,120.

Stephen Phillips, lecturer of political science, is integrating OER into his American national government classes, impacting about 140 students. Estimated savings for these students is $7,000 for the semester.

April Thomas, senior lecturer and course coordinator in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, has switched all 16 sections of introductory business statistics to using OER materials. This change impacts 1,080 students with an estimated cost savings of $171,364.