What is OER?
Open educational resources (OER) “are teaching, learning and research materials in any medium – digital or otherwise – that reside in the public domain or have been released under an open license that permits no-cost access, use, adaptation and redistribution by others with no or limited restrictions.”1 OER includes built in permission to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute the material.
In an effort to exhibit the need for OER at institutions across the state of Kansas, the Kansas Board of Regents Student Advisory Committee conducted a survey in 2019 to demonstrate the burden of textbook costs on students at Regent Institutions. They found that 48 percent of 6,474 regent institutions’ students indicated they did not purchase or rent a required textbook in the spring semester. Seventeen percent said they did not purchase or rent three or more required textbooks.2 By not purchasing textbooks, students could be at a disadvantage, which could hinder their success in a course. With open/alternative educational resources, all students get equal and immediate access to educational materials.3
Mission
Our mission is to increase access and equity in education by scaling the awareness and support of open education, including open educational resources and associated practices and pedagogies across the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) system.
Vision
Our vision is to improve student outcomes and access through increasing the thoughtful integration of high quality, open educational resources into teaching and learning across the Kansas Board of Regents system.
Link to Kansas LibreTexts Commons.
Why OER?
Hear Fort Hays State University Student Body President, Mark Faber give an address to the February 2022 Kansas OER Summit attendees about how OER impacts students. Click here to listen to his speech.
Newsletters
Upcoming Trainings/Events
General Education System-Wide Transfer Course OER Recommendations
College Algebra - February 26, 2024 at 3:30-4pm - Recording
Public Speaking - February 27, 2024 at 11-11:30am - Recording
General Psychology - February 27, 2024 at 2:30-3pm - Recording
English Composition - February 28, 2024 at 11-11:30am - Recording
Elementary Statistics - February 28, 2024 at 2-2:30pm - Recording
2024 SPRING OER Discipline Roundtables (visit the OER Roundtables webpage)
Using OER in Communications Courses Wednesday, April 17, 2024 2:30 pm (click the title to register)
This webinar is intended for those interested in using Open Educational Resources in Communication courses. In this session, you’ll engage with our panelists as they share their OER journeys and participate in a roundtable discussion. Participants are encouraged to share their OER experiences, concerns, successes, and questions.
- Lead: Dr. Alicia Mason Collins, Ph.D. (Professor Pittsburg State University Department of Communication)
- Panelists: Ashley Page (Fort Scott Community College, Communications Instructor) and Tonya Neises (Labette Community College, Communication Professor)
PREVIOUS Trainings/Events
Getting Started with Open Educational Resources (OER)
The OER or Open Educational Resources movement was developed as a response to rising textbook prices. Using OER materials can help reduce costs and bring new and adaptable resources to the classroom. Want to learn more about how to get started, where to look for materials, and review some OER examples before joining the crowd? This session is for you!
OER 101 for Faculty and Staff Recording
OER Legislative Showcase - Thursday, February 22, 2024, 8:30-3:30pm Capitol Rotunda
Come learn all about OER and see our institutions in action in the capitol rotunda! Email
LibreTexts Training: Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm
Delmar Larsen, founder and executive director of LibreTexts, will provide training on LibreTexts and the associated LibreVerse. LibreTexts is an Open Educational Resource (OER) platform. The Kansas Board of Regents System was the first state system to join the LibreNet, a consortium of members supporting LibreTexts. System members can create, adopt, and adapt OER on the platform and use the associated technology. If you don’t already have an account, it would be good to set one up at https://one.libretexts.org/
OER Beyond the Basics: Faculty Workshops
Finding, Evaluating & Adopting OER Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 2:00 pm
Finding the right OER for your courses can be daunting and this workshop will review the best places to begin your search for OER textbooks, assignments, lectures and other materials. We will also cover how to evaluate OER to make sure it's a good fit for your students and institution. Since planning time is precious, participants will be encouraged to practice searching and evaluating during the workshop to make the best use of their time.
Finding Evaluating & Adopting OER Workshop Recording
Adapting OER Tuesday, March 7, 2023 2:00 pm
You picked out an OER or two that you want to use in class. They need some changes or need to be combined. Now what? This workshop will lead you through the following steps to adapting your OERs. We will start by determining the licensing of your OERs and then look at where to edit and provide access to your adapted OER. Finally, we will look at correctly attributing the original OERs and how to create your own Creative Commons license for your new textbook. Throughout the workshop, guiding questions will help you make decisions efficiently and effectively.
Adapting OER Workshop Recording
Presentation Slides & Presentation Sources
Accessibility & OER Thursday, April 6, 2023 2:00 pm
Now that you have found an OER to use in your class and adapted it to your needs, how can you further adapt it to make it accessible for all. This workshop will cover the basics of the why and how of accessibility and universal design. Then, we will dive deeper into enabling user agency to enhance the user experience (UX). Some topics include accessibility tools, scalability, anchored content, and keyboard navigation.
Accessibility & OER Workshop Recording
Statewide OER Steering Committee
To encourage OER use across public institutions in the state of Kansas, the OER Steering Committee was developed and is made up of representatives across Kansas public institutions who are interested in OER on their campuses. The group convenes once a month to discuss statewide initiatives, including collaborative events, grant applications, system participation in regional and national OER organizations, OER platforms, and best practices. If your institution does not have a representative on the OER Steering Committee and you would like to add someone, email Mistie Knox,
![]() |
OER & Estimating Student Savings Developed in January 2022, the OER Steering Committee recommendation outlines a formula for estimating savings resulting from OER use in KBOR System institutions. While it's difficult, if not impossible to accurately capture savings due to a variety of factors, the Steering Committee members believe that Kansas System institutions benefit from a common method to estimate savings, when appropriate and possible. This paper outlines our recommendations, sites other research and policies around estimating cost savings, and explains the rationale behind developing this formula. |
![]() |
2022 Open Education Initiatives in Kansas Higher Education Report (pdf) January 2021, the OER Steering Committee sent out the first survey to gather information on how Open Education Resources (OER) are currently being implemented across the public higher education institutions in Kansas. The survey was repeated in the spring of 2022. This is the second report summarizing the OER initiatives across our system. For more information about this survey, report or KBOR system initiatives click here |
The Kansas Board of Regents Open Educational (OER) Steering Committee Action Plan (pdf) was developed as a result of the 2019 student-focused survey conducted by the Kansas Board of Regents Student Advisory Committee and collaborative discussion among members of the OER Steering Committee. The plan explains what OER are as well as the statewide priorities. | |
The Textbook Affordability Survey 2019 Results & Report (pdf) was conducted by the 2018-2019 Student Advisory Committee to provide concrete data behind the burden of textbook costs that students attending our universities are facing. |
2023-24 Members of the Open Educational Resources Steering Committee
Universities | Name | Title | ||
Emporia State University | Melissa Emo | Digital Scholarship & OER Librarian | ||
Fort Hays State University | Claire Nickerson | Learning Technologies & OER Librarian | 23-24 Co-chair | |
Kansas State University | Brian Lindshield | Professor | ||
Pittsburg State University | Jennifer Pursely | Instructional Designer | ||
University of Kansas | Heather Mac Bean | Open Education Librarian | ||
University of Kansas Medical Center | Kristin Sederstrom | Electronic Resources Librarian | ||
Wichita State University | Doug English | Associate Professor & Chair, Dept. of Chemistry | ||
Washburn University | Amanda Luke | Instructional Librarian | a | |
Community Colleges | Name | Title | ||
Allen Community College | Virginia Shaffer | Library Director | ||
Barton Community College | Lee Miller | Director of Innovation & Compliance for the Center for Academic Innovation & Excellence | ||
Butler Community College | Mindy Trenary | Assistant Professor of English | ||
Cloud County Community College | Brandon Galm | Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs | ||
Cowley Community College | David Hays | Faculty, Computer Science & Math | ||
Dodge City Community College | Mike Webster | Director of Instructional/Informational Technology | ||
Dodge City Community College | Nick Clohecy | Instructor of English | ||
Fort Scott Community College | Susie Arvidson | Director of Library Services | ||
Garden City Community College | Veronica Goosey | Assistant Professor of English | 23-24 Co-chair | |
Highland Community College | Hannah Owen | Instructional Support & Design | ||
Hutchinson Community College | Emily Hemmerling | Coordinator of Library Services | ||
Independence Community College | Nathan Chaplin | Biology Professor | ||
Johnson County Community College | Barry Bailey | Digital Projects Librarian and Chair of OER Taskforce | ||
Kansas City Kansas Community College | Susan Stuart | Director of Online Education | ||
Labette Community College | Tim Miller | Professor of History | ||
Pratt Community College | Frank Stahl | Director, Learning Resource Center | ||
Seward County Community College | Deedee Flax | Director of Distance Learning | ||
Technical Colleges | Name | Title | ||
Flint Hills Technical College | Leann Garcia | Division Chair of General Education | ||
Manhattan Area Technical College | Darren Ortega | Teaching & Learning Resource Coordinator | ||
WSU Campus of Applied Sciences & Technology | Rob Gibson | Dean, ITAS & Director, Instructional Design |
System Memberships & Partnerships
Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) has promoted and facilitated the implementation of Open Educational Resources (OER) at a regional level since 2018 when twelve OER state action teams were created. From these initiatives, the Kansas OER Steering Committee began, and they continue to support our work through grant funding, research, regional raining and sponsorship of our Kansas OER Summit.
Open Education Network (OEN)
In 2020, the Kansas Board of Regents joined the Open Education Network (OEN) as a consortial member.
A diverse community of higher education institutions, the Open Education Network promotes access, affordability, and student success through the use of open textbooks.
Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success (DOERS3)
The Kansas Board of Regents is part of the Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success (DOERS3) Collaborative. Open to public higher education systems and statewide/provincewide organizations, DOERS3 and its members support large-scale OER initiatives and are committed to advancing innovation in OER. Member organizations aim to achieve equity and student success at scale by realizing the promise of high-quality, accessible, and sustainable OER implementations.
References
1 Kansas Board of Regents Student Advisory Committee Textbook Affordability Survey: 2019 Results & Report
2 UNESCO
3 https://opencontent.org/definition/
OER logo credit: Barton Community College
Consider a Community or Technical College
If you need an alternative option beyond direct admission into a Kansas public university, consider starting your post-secondary education at a Kansas community or technical college. These institutions have open admission, and success at one of these 26 institutions can lead to future admittance into a Kansas public university.
Those who earn at least 24 credits and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher at a community college or technical college may reapply to a Kansas public university for further consideration as a transfer student at Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, The University of Kansas (2.5 GPA required), or Wichita State University
Enroll in Systemwide Transfer Courses
If you choose to begin your post-secondary education at a community college or technical college, consider taking courses approved for Systemwide Transfer. You may view these courses within the Transfer Kansas portal.
A student who successfully completes any of these courses at a Kansas public university, community college, or technical college will be able to transfer the course to any Kansas public postsecondary institution offering an equivalent course.
Explore Your Options
Use the map and list of institutions to choose a college that best meets your needs and goals!
Allen County Community College | Iola, KS 66749 | 620-901-6268 |
Barton County Community College | Great Bend, KS 67530 | 620-792-9286 |
Butler Community College | El Dorado, KS 67042 | 316-733-3255 |
Cloud County Community College | Concordia, KS 66901 | 785-243-1435, ext. 212 |
Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville, KS 67337 | 620-252-7026, ext. 7100 |
Colby Community College | Colby, KS 67701 | 785-460-4690 |
Cowley Community College | Arkansas City, KS 67005 | 620-441-6335 |
Dodge City Community College |
Dodge City, KS 67801 | 620-225-1321 |
Flint Hills Technical College | Emporia, KS 66801 | 620-343-4600 |
Fort Scott Community College | Fort Scott, KS 66701 | 620-223-2700 |
Garden City Community College | Garden City, KS 67846 | 620-276-7611 |
Highland Community College | Highland, KS 66035 | 785-442-6000 |
Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson, KS 67501 | 620-665-3535 |
Independence Community College | Independence, KS 67301 | 620-331-4100 |
Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS 66210 | 913-469-3803 |
Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS 66112 | 913-288-7600 |
Labette Community College | Parsons, KS 67357 | 785-587-2800 |
Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan, KS 66503 | 620-276-7611 |
Neosho County Community College | Chanute, KS 66720 | 620-432-0376 |
North Central Kansas Technical College | Beloit, KS 67420 | 785-738-2276 |
Northwest Kansas Technical College | Goodland, KS 67735 | 800-316-4127, ext. 515 |
Pratt Community College | Pratt, KS 67124 | 620-450-2217 |
Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS 67401 | 785-309-3100 |
Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS 67905 | 620-417-1100 |
Washburn University Institute of Technology | Topeka, KS 66621 | 785-670-2200 |
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Wichita, KS 67226 | 316-677-9400 |
High School Counselors and Administrators
Resources available for high school counselors and administrators.
Fall 2024 - Register your site for Apply Kansas
List of 2024 Registered Schools
The first step in going to college is to apply! For many students, applying to college can be a daunting task, but it can be particularly overwhelming for students who may be the first in their family to pursue postsecondary educational dreams or have yet to consider their plans after high school. Apply Kansas, is our annual statewide campaign in which high schools conduct events to help seniors apply to college with their peers and with help, guidance, and a cheering squad from school staff, local community supporters, and postsecondary volunteers. In partnership with the American College Application Campaign, Apply Kansas is a month-long, state-wide initiative to increase the number of students applying, enrolling, and succeeding in college or other postsecondary goals.
We encourage your high school to register. We’ll help you with resources, tips, and tools to help you host a successful event!
Register your school or community organization as a host site for an October 2024 Apply Kansas event!
Additional Resources:
2024 Apply Free Days
2024 Apply Free Days Application Instructions
List of 2024 Participating Apply KS Schools
Site Coordinator Information & Resources
Promoting the Event
Reporting Requirements
2024 Kansas Admission Guide (links to applications for admission, financial aid departments, and scholarship deadlines)
FAFSA & Financial Aid Resources
2024 Apply Kansas Annual Report
List of 2023 Participating Schools
Map of 2023 Apply Kansas High Schools
2024 apply kansas Training Schedule
In-person training locations will include opportunities to share ideas and a campus tour with updates from the institution.
Training Location | Date | Time |
Virtual Training - Slides Recording | Wednesday, April 24 | 1pm - 1:45pm |
Dodge City Community College - Register | Thursday, Aug 22 | 8:30am - 12:00pm |
Kansas State University | Monday, Aug 26 | 8:30am - 12:00pm |
Fort Scott Community College - Register | Wednesday, Aug 28 | 8:30am - 12:00pm |
Wichita State University | Thursday, Aug 29 | 8:30am - 12:45pm |
Fort Hays State University - Register | Wednesday, Sept 4 | 8:30am - 12:00pm |
Colby Community College - Register | Thursday, Sept 5 | 8:30am - 12:00pm |
Innovative Gathering - Virtual | Monday, Sept 9 | 9:30am - 10:30am |
Innovative Gathering - Virtual | Tuesday, Sept 10 | 9:30am - 10:30am |
New for this year: Innovative Gathering - this is an opportunity to hear what other Apply Kansas sites are doing! Schools will be separated by size during the gathering to share best practices.
Plan your Apply Kansas event
1. Reserve computer labs, library, or classrooms/facilities for your event.
2. Post Banners to remind students that event will occur.
3. Recruit Volunteers - Could be teachers or college admission staff.
4. Prepare Students for the Event.
#1: Encourage your seniors to identify 2-3 colleges or postsecondary programs they would like to apply to. You could require students to complete some or all of these options.
- Attend a College Fair (either virtual or in-person)
- Use a college search tool: Xello, Big Future, Naviance, degreestats, Encourage, etc.
- Complete College Fit Worksheet
- Visit a college campus
#2: Once they’ve identified some colleges, have seniors complete the College Application Checklist, to prepare personal information they may need to complete their college application on the day of the event
5. Apply Kansas Event Day!
- Complete College Applications
- Request Transcripts
- Submit fee waivers (when applicable)
- Students complete sign out survey (Examples: Online, Paper #1, Paper #2)
-
Reporting your Apply Kansas Event data is the only requirement of participating in this program. At a minimum you’ll need to submit the following information to us at the conclusion of your event:
- Number of seniors who submitted an application
- Total Number of college applications submitted
- Number of KS Public Colleges receiving applications
-
- Social Media Blitz! Post pictures with an Apply Kansas banner listing the colleges they applied when finished
6. Submit your Apply Kansas site data to Apply Kansas by December 1st.
7. Follow up with FAFSA completion instructions/events & Financial Aid resources
- Check out ACT's post Apply Kansas event resources
8. Incentivize seniors completing all 4 tasks. Certificate? Prizes? Apply Kansas Swag?
FAQ
When is the campaign?
The Apply Kansas campaign is held annually in October. Your high school can pick a day (or multiple days) during the month to conduct an event.
How do I register my school?
Click here to complete a short registration form.
Are community organizations allowed to hold an event?
Absolutely! All events are welcome to support seniors with their post-secondary plans. Register here!
Should I register if my school is small or if we host a similar event?
YES! Register your school for Apply Kansas even if you are currently conducting a program or your school is small. (You can even look at our list of 2023 participating schools and team up with a participating neighboring school or district.) Tracking state-wide participation helps evaluate the impact Kansas schools have on their students. List of 2024 Participating Schools
What’s involved in conducting an event?
Your school’s site coordinator will select the date, reserve a computer lab, secure volunteers, and report campaign results. Apply Kansas & KBOR provide free resources to help with the planning process (see links above on the right) You know what your students will respond to better than anyone, so as long as you can get us your summary data, we’ll support you with resources and anything else you need to have a successful event
Is there training to help us get started?
YES! We are scheduling in-person training & virtual training sessions for August 2024. Dates and locations will be listed below. The virtual session will also have registration and be open for you to interact with other participants virtually. We will also record the virtual session for anyone who is unable to fit any of the trainings into their schedule. All sessions will contain the same information, so you just need to pick one date. Training sessions will give you the opportunity to see all the resources available to you, meet other Apply Kansas coordinators, and understand the best way to gather your summary data at the end of your event.
Apply Kansas Training: Starting in 2022, we combined Apply Kansas Training with a counselor college event! Site Coordinators will spend the first half of the training learning about the Apply Kansas program, picking up their swag items, and interacting with other site coordinators. Then, following the training, site coordinators will review information about the host institutions and be able to attend a walking tour of the campus. Each year, we will select different institutions across the state to host our Apply Kanas training events. All training sessions are in person unless specifically noted below.
Can virtual students and schools participate?
Absolutely! We want to support all students and schools. Team up with a public library or community organization to offer an in person event or hold a virtual event!
WHY APPLY Day: Friday, September 20, 2024
Check out this video made by students in Shawnee Heights High School. The students in the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program asked their teachers to fill out the selfie page on why students should apply to college and collected all their responses in this video .
Create your own "Why Apply" selfie page (pdf) and post your picture on any social media outlet tagging: #applyks #whyapply
Questions?
Contact Mistie Knox (785) 430-4279
Follow Apply Kansas on social media!
2023 Apply Kansas Virtual Training Recording