oerganizing: how to build student leadership around ......kaitlyn vitez, uspirg. agenda context...

OERganizing: how to build student leadership around textbook affordabilityKaitlyn Vitez, USPIRG

AgendaContextMessaging your campaignPowermapping your targetsWorking with studentsStudent panel

Tweet @HigherEdPIRG using the hashtag #OERganizing

Why community organizing ?

“This country has far more problems than it deserves, and far more solutions than it uses.”

- Ralph Nader

Why student organizing ?Students have been at the forefront of social change for decades.

They want to develop their own skills AND to serve their community.

Students can leverage their personal stories.

Organizing builds power.

The Student PIRGs model of activismStudents propose, vote on, and run their own campaigns.

They get the organizing advice and policy expertise of our national staff.

Power rests on each campus and in each state in a student-run board of directors.

Why are students great advocates?RelationshipsAccessStoriesFlexibilityFriendsAmbitious

How to: identify stakeholdersLibrariansStudent support servicesStudentsFacultyAdministration

How to: frame your campaign

Frames for OER advocacyEnvironmentalistConsumer protectionEducational justiceOpen educationSavings for students Innovation

How to: set your goalMake it measurable

Make it winnable

Make it visible

Make it collaborative

Goals to consider for your campaignIncreasing individual faculty adoption of OERIncreasing departmental adoption of OERAdopting an OER course designation in your class listingAllocating money for a grant programAllocating money for a dedicated OER librarianAllocating money for OER programming

How to: choose your target

Who controls the money or information?

Who makes academic decisions?

Who is the “gatekeeper?”

Tier 3Low access and influence

Tier 2Some access or influence

Tier 1Highest access and influence

How to: powermap

Tier 3Clubs, faculty, unions

Tier 2SGA, deans, certain depts

Tier 1VCs, lawyer, Senate, wife

Powermapped: RU

Tier 3Clubs, faculty, unions

Tier 2SGA, deans, certain depts

Tier 1VCs, lawyer, Senate, wife

Powermapped: RU

How to: craft your campaign storyProblemSolutionStrategyWhy us / why youUrgency

How to: recruit studentsOffer unique incentives and experiences

Appeal to multiple motivations

Reach out in diverse ways

Use existing networks

How to: work with studentsSet specific numerical goals, rates, and benchmarks

Set people up with clear roles and a variety of options for action

Connect every activity back to your campaign story.

How to: manage students Create a schedule for regular meetings, trainings, and events

Set up a chain of command

Delegate

How to: manage students Janelle (campaign coordinator)

Tuki (soc media) Nicole (faculty) April (outreach)

Arturo (database) volunteers

Some superstar students

Make Textbooks Affordable: UCLA1. Start a working group that includes student leaders

Make Textbooks Affordable: UCLA2. Work with student groups to collect campaign sign ons and local data.

Make Textbooks Affordable: UCLA3. Generate visibility and name recognition

Make Textbooks Affordable: UCLA4. Never stop campaigning

Kaitlyn Vitez, Higher Education Advocatekvitez@pirg.org // @HigherEdPIRG

Questions ?

Kaitlyn Vitez, Higher Education Advocatekvitez@pirg.org // @HigherEdPIRG

Take action !tinyurl.com/accesscodepledge