Are you a CSUSM faculty member interested in making your course zero-cost? Are you already teaching a Zero Cost Course Materials (ZCCM) course?
The Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) program at CSUSM offers funding to support professional development for faculty who have either already made their course zero-cost or are committed to converting their course to zero-cost during this academic year. There are two funding options available:
- Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM): This option is for faculty who have made one or more of their courses zero-cost for courses taught between spring 2024 - spring 2025.
- Faculty Showcase: This option is for faculty who have existing Zero Cost Course Materials (ZCCM) courses and would like to complete a questionnaire highlighting their ZCCM course. Faculty Showcases are published on MERLOT and COOL4Ed through the Chancellor's Office. The purpose of a Faculty Showcase is to provide other faculty teaching the same course at other institutions ways to make their courses zero-cost too!
How To Apply
For more information about application requirements and to submit an application, visit the CALM Professional Development Funds Application page. The 24/25 application will remain open until all professional development funds allocated for the academic year are exhausted and may close without prior notice.
Resources & Support
Check out the Open Educational Resources (OER) page to explore resources that can help you find OER or open textbooks for your subjects. The University Library can also support ZCCM courses by providing unlimited user ebooks. The Unlimited User Library Ebooks page lists library ebooks that have been or are currently being used for courses - check it out to see if your book is available! If your book is not available, email calm@csusm.edu to see if it is available for purchase (note: textbooks published by Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Cengage, etc. are generally not available for purchase through the library).
Even if you are not applying for professional development funding, please report any courses you will teach in spring 2025 that have zero textbook/required materials costs on our ZCCM page. Identifying courses that are ZCCM in the course schedule is required by California state law (SB 1359).
If you have any questions, email calm@csusm.edu. Thank you for your interest in reducing the cost of course materials at CSUSM!