(1) PURPOSE.—The Board of Governors and the Department of Education will jointly oversee the host entity in accordance with subsection (6) that will deliver the following services to public postsecondary education institutions in this state, which, for the purposes of this section, means all Florida College System and State University System institutions:
(a) Provide information regarding and access to distance learning courses and degree programs offered by public postsecondary education institutions within the state.
(b) Coordinate with the Florida College System and the State University System to identify and provide online academic support services and resources when the multi-institutional provision of such services and resources is more cost-effective or operationally effective.
(c) Administer a single library automation system and associated resources and services that all public postsecondary institutions shall use to support learning, teaching, and research needs and develop automated library management tools that shall include, but are not limited to, the following services and functions:
1. A shared Internet-based catalog and discovery tool that allows a user to search and, if authorized, access the aggregate library holdings of the state’s public postsecondary education institutions. The catalog and discovery tool shall allow a user to search the library holdings of one institution, selected institutions, or all institutions and, to the extent feasible, shall include an interlibrary loan function that ensures an authorized user can access the required library holding.
2. An Internet-based searchable collection of electronic resources which shall include, but not be limited to, full-text journals, articles, databases, and electronic books licensed pursuant to paragraph (d).
3. An integrated library management system and its associated services that all public postsecondary education institution academic libraries shall use for purposes of acquiring, cataloging, circulating, and tracking library material.
4. A statewide searchable database that includes an inventory of digital archives and collections held by public postsecondary education institutions.
(d) In collaboration with library staff from Florida College System institutions and state universities, coordinate the negotiation of statewide licensing of electronic library resources and preferred pricing agreements, issue purchase orders, and enter into contracts for the acquisition of library support services, electronic resources, and other goods and services necessary to carry out its duties under this section.
(e) Promote and provide recommendations concerning the use and distribution of low-cost, no-cost, or open-access textbooks and education resources and innovative pricing techniques that comply with all applicable laws, in regards to copyrighted material and statewide accessibility measures, as a method for reducing costs.
(f) Provide support for the adoption, adaptation, and creation of open educational resources by faculty members from Florida College System institutions and state universities.
(g) Provide appropriate help desk support, training, and consultation services to institutions and students.
(2) STATEWIDE INTERNET-BASED CATALOG OF DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES.—There is established a statewide Internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by public postsecondary education institutions which is intended to assist in the coordination and collaboration of articulation and access pursuant to parts II and III of chapter 1007. The host entity is responsible for developing and disseminating operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog, to be followed by all participating institutions. Operating procedures and technical guidelines will address the following:
(a) Specific information concerning the distance learning course or degree program, including, but not limited to, course number, classification of instructional programs number, and information on the availability of the course or degree program; any prerequisite course or technology competency or skill; the availability of academic support services and financial aid resources; and course costs, fees, and payment policies.
(b) Define and describe the catalog’s search and retrieval options that, at a minimum, will allow users to search by academic term or course start date; institution, multiple institutions, or all institutions; and course or program delivery methods, course type, course availability, subject or discipline, and course number or classification of instructional programs number.
(c) An Internet-based analytic tool that allows for the collection and analysis of data as to usage of resources accessed or interaction with constituent institutions whose courses and programs are listed in the catalog.
(d) Frequent review and updates to institution catalogs to ensure that distance learning courses and degree programs comply with operational procedures.
(3) STATEWIDE ONLINE STUDENT ADVISING SERVICES AND SUPPORT.—The following online services and support shall be made available on a statewide basis:
(a) A streamlined online admissions application process, which shall be used by all public postsecondary institutions, for undergraduate transient students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a public postsecondary education institution who enroll in a course offered by a public postsecondary education institution that is not the student’s degree-granting institution, which shall:
1. Use the transient student admissions application available through the statewide computer-assisted student advising system established pursuant to paragraph (b). This admissions application is the only application required for enrollment of a transient student as described in this paragraph.
2. Implement the financial aid procedures required by the transient student admissions application process.
3. Transfer credit awarded by the institution offering the course to the transient student’s degree-granting institution.
4. Provide an interface between the institutional advising system and the statewide computer-assisted student advising system established pursuant to paragraph (b) in order to electronically send, receive, and process the transient student admissions application.
(b) A statewide computer-assisted student advising system which shall support the process of advising, registering, and capturing student progression toward a degree and career and which shall include a degree audit and an articulation component. Florida College System institutions and state universities shall interface institutional advising systems with the statewide computer-assisted student advising system. At a minimum, the statewide computer-assisted student advising system shall:
1. Allow a student to access the system at any time.
2. Allow a student to search public postsecondary education institutions and identify course options that will meet the requirements of a selected path toward a degree.
3. Audit transcripts of students enrolled in a public postsecondary education institution to assess current academic standing, the requirements for a student to transfer to another institution, and all requirements necessary for graduation.
4. Serve as the official statewide repository for the common prerequisite manual, admissions information for transferring programs, foreign language requirements, residency requirements, and statewide articulation agreements.
5. Provide information relating to career descriptions and corresponding educational requirements, admissions requirements, and available sources of student financial assistance.
6. Provide the admissions application for transient students pursuant to paragraph (a) which must include the electronic transfer and receipt of information and records for:
a. Admissions and readmissions.
b. Financial aid.
c. Transfer of credit awarded by the institution offering the course to the transient student’s degree-granting institution using the Florida Automated System for Transferring Educational Records (the “FASTER System”).
(c) A method for identifying and evaluating new technologies and instructional methods for improving distance learning instruction and development for faculty, student learning outcomes, student access, the efficient delivery of student support services, and the overall quality of postsecondary distance learning courses and degree programs.
(d) Negotiation of statewide licensing resources and preferred pricing agreements, issuing purchase orders, and entering into contracts for the acquisition of distance learning resources, student and support services, electronic resources, and other goods and services necessary to carry out duties under this section.
(4) FLORIDA STUDENT OPEN ACCESS RESOURCES.—There is established a statewide initiative to increase the amount of open access resources available to postsecondary students in the state through the development of the Student Open Access Resources Repository, a statewide, Internet-based, searchable database of open education resources curated by the faculty of Florida College System institutions and state universities, and the establishment of the Student Open Access Resource Grant Program.
(a) For purposes of this section, the term “open educational resources” means high-quality teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits the free use and repurposing of such resources by others. The term may include other resources that are legally available and free of cost to students. Open educational resources include, but are not limited to, full courses; course materials; modules; textbooks; faculty-created content; streaming videos; exams; software; and other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge.
(b) The chancellors of the State University System and the Florida College System shall collaborate and take the lead in identifying and developing processes to coordinate and support the adaptation or development of open educational resources by teams of faculty, librarians, and instructional designers within a Florida College System institution or state university, or across multiple institutions and universities. Such processes shall include, but not be limited to, ensuring quality and accuracy of content, suitability for publication, and compliance with federal and state copyright laws and regulations. Pursuant to the processes developed by the chancellors, the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network shall:
1. Serve as the lead agency.
2. Facilitate interinstitutional collaborations.
3. Host approved digital assets and on-demand printing capabilities.
4. Ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations relating to accessibility, copyright, student data privacy and security, and quality assurance.
5. Provide training for resource and professional learning.
6. Administer the grant program under paragraph (d).
(c) Resources available in the Student Open Access Resources Repository shall:
1. Comply with the processes developed by the chancellors of the State University System and Florida College System pursuant to paragraph (b).
2. Be based upon the statewide course numbering system as specified in s. 1007.01.
3. Accelerate textbook affordability pursuant to s. 1004.085.
(d) The Student Open Access Resource Grant Program is created to provide funding for public institutions of higher education, faculty, and staff to create and expand the use of open educational resources.
1. A Florida College System institution or state university may apply to the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network for a grant under the program to support the development and curation of open educational resources and for migrating existing content to the Student Open Access Resource Repository.
2. Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network may award grants to Florida College System institutions and state universities that apply for grants pursuant to this section. The Florida Academic Library Network shall prioritize courses with high student enrollment, courses with high textbook or materials costs, and courses identified as general education core courses pursuant to s. 1007.25 when establishing award criteria.
3. Florida College System institutions and state universities receiving grant funds shall agree to openly license and share, under the broadest possible license, any open educational resources developed or adapted using the grant and post such resources to the Student Open Access Resources Repository.
4. By fiscal year 2023-2024, grant funds provided to the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network host entity shall be awarded to Florida College System institutions and state universities.
(e) Each Florida College System institution and state university shall post prominently in its course registration system and on its website, as early as is feasible, but at least 45 days before the first day of class for each term, courses that utilize open educational resources and have zero textbook costs as indicated by an icon next to each eligible course. A Zero Textbook Cost Indicator developed by the Florida Postsecondary Academic Library Network may be used for this purpose.
(5) REPORTING.—
(a) By December 31 each year, the host entity shall submit a report to the Chancellors of the State University System and the Florida College System regarding the implementation and operation of all components described in this section, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
1. Usage information collected under paragraph (2)(c).
2. Information and associated costs relating to the services and functions of the program.
3. The implementation and operation of the automated library services.
4. The number and value of grants awarded under paragraph (4)(d) and the distribution of those funds.
5. The number and types of courses placed in the Student Open Access Resources Repository.
6. Information on the utilization of the Student Open Access Resources Repository and utilization of open educational resources in course sections, by Florida College System institution and state university.
(b) The Chancellors will provide an annual report on the performance of the host entity in delivering the services and any recommendations for changes needed to this section to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Board of Governors, and the State Board of Education. The Board of Governors and the Department of Education shall include any necessary funding increases in their annual legislative budget requests.
(6) GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION.—The Office of the Board of Governors and the Department of Education shall have joint responsibility for determining the host entity for the services described in this section and shall share in the receipt and administration of an associated appropriation as described in the General Appropriations Act. The Chancellors of the Florida College System and the Board of Governors shall provide oversight for successful delivery by the host entity of the services described in this section.
(7) RECOMMENDATION ON OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO BE INCLUDED WITHIN THE FLORIDA POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC LIBRARY NETWORK.—By June 1, 2022, the Commissioner of Education and the Chancellor of the Board of Governors shall provide a joint recommendation for a process by which school district career centers operated under s. 1001.44 and charter technical career centers under s. 1002.34 would access appropriate postsecondary distance learning, student support services and library assets described in this section. The recommendation must include an analysis of the resources necessary to expand access and assets to centers and their students.
History.—s. 14, ch. 2012-134; s. 12, ch. 2013-45; s. 184, ch. 2014-17; s. 15, ch. 2014-56; s. 4, ch. 2021-85; s. 40, ch. 2022-154; s. 168, ch. 2023-8; s. 28, ch. 2024-5.
