OpenCSCU and the Evolution of Open Communications in Connecticut State Colleges & Universities

The 17-institution Connecticut State Colleges & Universities System (CSCU) formed a systemwide open educational resources (OER) Council in 2017 that was primarily focused on the adoption of no-cost or low-cost (NOLO) course materials as a means to provide equitable access to learning materials. The CSCU consortium of library directors partnered with the OER Council to construct a website, OpenCSCU, providing curated OER, a support network and a faculty-recognition program. With the OpenCSCU site established as a clearinghouse for OER-related information, it was a natural progression to take advantage of the existing technology for a new communications effort. The OpenCSCU Blog was launched in September 2021. It is intended to provide guidance and support to readers by demonstrating the value of open content and practices to better serve student success.