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CALM

The Cougars Affordable Learning Materials Program (CALM) is part of the CSU Affordable Learning Solutions initiative started in 2010. CALM aims to aid faculty in replacing costly textbooks with lower cost alternatives by using high-quality, open education

CALM Professional Development Funds Application

Are you a CSUSM faculty member interested in reducing the cost of assigned course materials and textbooks? Have you already reduced these costs in your courses this current academic year?

The Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) program at CSUSM provides funding to support professional development for faculty who are interested in making their courses zero-cost during the upcoming academic year.

Email calm@csusm.edu with any questions, and thank you for your interest in reducing the cost of course materials at CSUSM.

Application


For the 24/25 Academic Year, CALM Professional Development Funding is limited to only courses that have been converted to Zero Cost Course Materials (ZCCM) classes. There are TWO options for professional development funding: 

  • Cougars Affordable Learning Materials (CALM): This option is available for faculty who have made one or more of their courses zero-cost for courses taught between Spring 2024 - Spring 2025. This is for NEW courses that have been made zero-cost.

    • Award amount is up to $500 per course, dependent on completion of the following:

      • Submit Application

      • Send current syllabus or list of course readings to identify zero-cost materials 

      • Completion of Faculty Showcase 

  • Faculty Showcase: This option is available 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!  

    • Award amount ranges from $200 - $500 dependent on the number of Faculty Showcases completed 

The 24/25 application will remain open until all professional development funds allocated for the academic year have been exhausted and may close without prior notice. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Reporting Zero Cost Course Materials (ZCCM) Courses

If you are not interested in applying for CALM Professional Development Funds but are teaching a zero-cost course, please report you course information down below. Identifying courses that have zero textbook and materials costs in the course schedule is required by California state law (SB 1359).

To learn more about the ZCCM symbol and why it is important to include this information to students registering for classes, visit the Zero-Cost Course Materials page. 

Subjects: CSUSM Library