Affordable Learning
Welcome to the Affordable Learning community at San Francisco State University, a collaborative effort between Academic Technology, Disability Programs Resource Center (DPRC), J. Paul Leonard Library, and the SFSU Bookstore.
We know every dollar counts and can make a significant impact in the access to education for our students, as well as faculty scholarship, research and creative activities. We are here to help familiarize our campus community with the wider California State University (CSU) Affordable Learning Initiative and encourage faculty across campus to participate in the SFSU Affordable Learning Initiative. We provide academic resources and cultivate a learning culture that benefits all members of our campus community.
Create a more equitable and inclusive classroom
About the Affordable Learning Initiative
The purpose of the CSU Affordable Learning Solutions initiative is to counteract the rising costs of higher education, by supporting faculty to lower costs of course materials for students, and providing solutions to lower costs of faculty scholarship, research and creative activities.
The CSU-wide initiative encourages the adoption, revision and/or development of lower-cost or free Open Educational Resources (OER). Faculty can choose from and implement more affordable, contemporary and high-quality course materials while upholding standards of academic excellence. In addition, the Affordable Learning Initiative bridges SFSU’s commitment to advancing equity and Academic Technology’s dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion in teaching and learning. We curate digital resources and work in collaboration with faculty to help grow their pedagogy through this opportunity.
To expand the Affordable Learning Initiative awareness, Academic Technology promotes faculty success stories through our showcase, develops funding opportunities such as AIM grants and highlights the student perspective. We have also established the AIM Steering Committee and the AIM Operations Team to expand campus collaboration and faculty learning communities.
- Learn more about the CSU Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative
- Learn more about CSU Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative Resources
Quick Links
Affordable Learning Services
SFSU's Affordable Learning Initiative provides services to support faculty in adopting free or low-cost course materials, with the overall goal of enabling student success.
Develop a plan to implement course-savings through an Affordable Learning project; discuss how to include students in the Affordable Learning project and monitor their response; seek support through Academic Technology, the Library, and/or the DPRC.
To schedule a consultation, please contact Academic Technology.
Presentations on the Affordable Learning Initiative offered to the campus community, within the context of particular departments.
Please contact Academic Technology to discuss and plan a presentation for your department.
Funding will go to departments that propose projects that target specific multi-section courses that currently use high-cost instructional materials and impact a large number of students.
Please contact Academic Technology to schedule a consultation.
Workshops provide faculty participants information and resources to support students by reducing the high cost of instructional materials through the Affordable Learning Initiative. Workshop topics have included understanding how Open Educational Resources (OER) can be used to support teaching and learning, learning about Open Pedagogy and completing peer review of open materials.
For consultations on workshops, please contact Academic Technology.
Students and Courses Impacted
$8+ Million
Faculty saved students
14,153
Students impacted
116
Courses impacted
Affordable Learning Success Stories
“We switched to a digital package of a new e-textbook which will come bundled together with access to WebAssign. The cost is $125 for all three semesters of the sequence. If students need to repeat a course, they do not have to pay again.”