Faculty members at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Wyoming have recently taken a united stance in favor of open access and fair negotiations with publishers. The faculty at both institutions have passed resolutions, emphasizing their commitment to specific values in dealings with major publishers. These values include author’s rights and open access, accessibility, affordability, preservation, privacy and security, scholarly sharing, and transparency.
The resolutions aim to publicly align the values of the libraries with those of the faculty, reinforcing their positions in renegotiating contracts with academic publishers. Notably, ongoing negotiations with Elsevier are being managed through the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries on behalf of 15 libraries in Colorado and Wyoming, including CU-Boulder and UW.
The Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) at CU-Boulder passed a resolution on October 5, endorsing principles that prioritize affordability, open access, and transparency in subscription licensing agreements. The resolution was inspired by MIT’s Framework for publisher negotiations. The language of the resolution aligns with CU's open access policy, adopted in 2014, and demonstrates the faculty's commitment to sustainable publishing options.
Shelly Miller, Chair of the BFA and a professor of mechanical engineering, highlighted the university's determination not to be overcharged and emphasized the need for sustainable publishing options. The resolution is expected to set a precedent for other institutions pursuing open access publishing.
Taking notice of CU-Boulder's activity, the University of Wyoming adapted the language in the CU resolution to reflect its own campus. The UW Faculty Senate unanimously approved a similar resolution on November 28, just over one month after the process began.
Both institutions' resolutions emphasize the faculty's commitment to open access, affordability, and transparency, reinforcing the importance of these values in academic publishing negotiations. The actions of CU-Boulder and UW faculty contribute to the ongoing dialogue about fair and sustainable practices in scholarly communication.
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