150 · Representative Documents: Scholarly Communication Resolutions
Boston University
Scholarship, Libraries, and Open Access Archiving Initiative
http://www.bu.edu/av/today/slideshows-and-audio/images/OpenAccessInitiative.pdf
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Boston University
University Council Committee on Scholarly Activities and Libraries
Faculty Council Committee on Research Activities, Libraries, and Support Services
Scholarship, Libraries, and Open Access Archiving Initiative
Background
In 2001, the Boston University faculty endorsed specific goals and strategies to promote
University leadership, innovation, and excellence in teaching, research, and service,
including the creation of frameworks to:
Coordinate information and resources that promote faculty research
Develop effective systems to support faculty research activities
Facilitate faculty access to research funding opportunities at all career stages
Create effective networks that promote interdisciplinary research
Provide faculty and students with easy access to teaching-related information
Provide students with access to faculty research training opportunities
Integrate faculty, library, information technology and academic computing
resources
Since that time, many activities have emerged throughout the Institution in support of
these goals: faculty development in teaching and research, on-line teaching and research
resources, expansion of library and IT facilities and resources, and new methods of
highlighting faculty research, teaching and scholarly activities in School and College web
frameworks and external communications (such as BU Today).
The University’s Strategic Plan (2005-2008) emphasizes the importance of
“Strengthening the quality of the faculty…As we continually increase the profile of our
faculty in research and scholarship”. It further endorses commitments to “hiring,
promoting, and retaining faculty members who are excellent teachers, as well as leaders
in research, scholarship, and professional accomplishment” and “promoting research and
scholarship within and across traditional disciplinary boundaries”.
In 2007, the Faculty Council’s Committee on Research Activities, Libraries and Support
Services in conjunction with the University Council Committee on Scholarly Activities
and Libraries began to discuss innovative ways to advance and promote faculty and
student scholarship through digital, Open Access frameworks. In 2008, these
Committees opened a web-based university-wide discussion of these topics which
culminated in recommendations for the implementation of an initiative on Scholarship,
Libraries and Open Access Archiving. The initiative recognizes that Boston University
endorses the open and free exchange of scholarly information as a cornerstone of
intellectual freedom and views Open Access Archiving as a key element in its pursuit of
leadership, innovation, and excellence in teaching, research, and service.
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