Be Book Smart: Progress

May 28, 2008:  USSU VP Academic met with Bookstore Manager to discuss the formation of a U of S Bookstore Advisory Committee committed to addressing the cost-effectiveness of textbooks and academic materials

June 25 to 27, 2008:  USSU VP Academic attended Canadian Roundtable on Academic Materials (CRAM)

July to September 2008:  Bookstore Advisory Committee formation and planning

October 16, 2008:  Undergraduate Forum Meeting initiated by USSU VP Academic to address the cost-effectiveness of textbooks and academic materials on campus

November 7, 2008:  First Bookstore Advisory Committee Meeting

December 1 to 3, 2008:  USSU VP Academic and Bookstore Manager attended Canadian Roundtable on Academic Materials (CRAM)

January 5, 2009:  Launch of the “Be Book Smart” Campaign

April 27, 2009: Meeting with Bookstore Manager to Transition new USSU VP Academic

June 1, 2009: Bookstore Manager and USSU VP Academic meet to discuss targeting faculty with this year’s campaign, and to discuss the lack of communication from CRAM

June 2009: No CRAM conference this year

September 9 to 11, 2009: “Be Book Smart” Campaign materials handed out with USSU Survival Calendars.

October 9, 2009: VP Academic Presented to E-text Subcommittee of Academic Support Committee of Council (ASC) on Open Access. Open Access information to be included in their report to ASC.

January 27, 2010: VP Academic Presents on Open Access to Associate Deans Research at behest of VP Research Dr. Karen Chad.

March 1, 2010: E-text Subcommittee brings draft report to Academic Support Committee. Committee acknowledges that the draft s a good survey, but lacks strong recommendations. E-text Subcommittee will bring report back after making recommendations on how the University should embrace Open Access and E-textbooks.

March 31, 2010: VP Academic meets with representatives from Bedford/St. Martin’s Publishing. Loose-leaf format as a way to save students money is brought up.

March 31, 2010: The Sheaf publishes an article (http://thesheaf.com/2010/03/print-your-own-textbooks/) on how Open Access published materials and textbooks can save students money. VP Academic is quoted on the technologies and methods available. Connexions (http://cnx.org) and the Espresso Book Machine (http://www.ondemandbooks.com/hardware.htm) dominate the exciting new technologies

April 15, 2010: VP Academic Presents to University Council on the Be Book Smart Campaign and how faculty choices in textbooks selection and use of Open Access Materials can save students thousands of dollars over a four year degree. Faculty responds by requesting the presentation sent out to every department head.

April 29, 2010: On Campus news interviews VP Academic on Be Book Smart Campaign.

April 30, 2010: Be Book Smart website updated with dead links removed, new resources added and University Council presentation added to the faculty section.