“E”ffordability Summit on education costs grows in second year | University of Wisconsin - Stout

"With an eye toward using open educational resources and affordable digital textbooks, University of Wisconsin-Stout saves students $4,000 on average over their academic careers. “That’s gas money. That’s rent. It’s a lot of things,” said Bob Butterfield, assistant University Library director for acquisitions, materials management and procurement. “We have the ability to do something really big for our students. We have to use every possible opportunity that we can to keep our programs cost-effective for our students.”

Keeping education affordable is the same goal of the second “E”ffordability Summit, a free conference at UW-Stout on Monday, March 26, and Tuesday, March 27. The summit, also on campus last year, expanded to two days this year. K-12 educators, technical colleges and two- and four-year institutions across Wisconsin and Minnesota were invited. Last year 52 people attended. About 200 people are expected this year. The theme this year is Open to Collaborate, to allow those attending to share best practices, experiences and issues relating to using open educational resources as well as other educational content affordability ideas...."