Department Recognition for Affordable Course Materials Leading Impact

The Affordable Course Materials (ACM) Leading Impact Program supports and recognizes individual faculty, as well as entire academic departments in their adoption, adaption, and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER) in their courses. Each year the program supports activities that lead to decreasing the costs of course materials for our students. Spending less money on required learning materials is one step toward making college more affordable, and therefore more equitable. 

2024 Department Award Winners

About ACM Department Awards

Departments offering the highest percentage of course sections using low or zero cost course materials in the academic year will be recognized and receive a financial award. Recipients may choose to donate the award back to the ACM Awards and Stipend Program. Percentages are determined by the number of department courses in MyNIU with the low or zero cost course attributes and the total number of courses offered by the department. 

• Department Achievement: The highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero cost course materials. The department receives $2,000 and a framed certificate.
• Department Honorable Mention: The second highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero cost course materials. The department receives $1,000 and a framed certificate.
• Department Outstanding Effort: The third highest percentage of course sections in the academic year using low or zero cost course materials. The department receives $500 and a framed certificate.

Note: Past department winners must have a higher percentage than their previous years in order to be recognized.

Past Department Award Winners

2023

• Department of Philosophy, Department Achievement Award, 73% of courses designated as low or zero cost
• College of Business UBUS, Department Honorable Mention Award, 65% of courses designated as low or zero cost
• Department of English, Department Outstanding Effort, 64% of courses designated as low or zero cost