Augusta University is continuing its efforts to lower textbook costs for students through participation in Affordable Learning Georgia (ALG), an initiative from the University System of Georgia. ALG aims to reduce expenses for students by encouraging the adoption, adaptation, and creation of affordable textbooks, including open educational resources.
Andrew Goss, PhD, interim associate provost for Teaching and Learning and professor in the Department of History, Anthropology, and Philosophy at Augusta University’s Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has been working on ways to help faculty integrate these resources into their teaching.
For the spring 2025 semester, 44.2% of available courses at Augusta University had textbook costs that were either low cost (less than $40) or free. This percentage placed Augusta University third among 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia by proportion of sections using affordable materials. The university’s figure is also higher than the average for research universities in the system.
“This is really a great result and shows the faculty commitment to incorporate affordable learning materials in their classes, and to thus encourage student success, a major goal for Augusta University,” Goss said.
Faculty at Augusta University have participated in ALG since its launch in 2014. Their involvement has resulted in savings of more than $2.3 million for over 17,000 students. According to Goss, one way to further expand access to affordable course materials is through applying for ALG’s grant program. These grants are available to faculty across all institutions within the University System of Georgia and support transforming courses so that required materials are no-cost or low-cost.
In the most recent round of funding, Augusta University received five grants—the second highest number after Georgia Gwinnett College—and was awarded over $106,000. In total, the university has received more than $300,000 across 17 grants over several years.
Affordable Learning Georgia requires each institution to designate three “champions” who lead efforts promoting ALG initiatives and open educational resources (OER). At Augusta University these roles are filled by Andrew Goss as faculty champion; Whitney Russell as library champion; and Arthur Takahashi as design champion.
The next information session about ALG’s upcoming grant opportunities will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 8.
