These are adapted from MIT’s Open Access Policy FAQs (https://libraries.mit.edu/scholarly/mit-open-access/faq-on-the-oa-policy/). 

What is the goal of the policy?

The goal is expressed in the first line of the policy: “Faculty of SUNY Brockport, State University of New York, is committed to disseminating its research and scholarship as widely as possible.”  This includes the potential benefit of increasing citation counts for authors.

What does the policy do for me?

The policy makes your peer-reviewed scholarship more discoverable and gives you support when advocating for your retention of copyright. You still retain ownership and complete control of the copyright in your writings, subject only to this prior permission. You can exercise your copyrights in any way you see fit, including transferring them to a publisher if you so desire. With your permission, Brockport retains its license and the right to distribute the article from its repository. Also, if your article arises in whole or in part from federally funded research, you may be required to retain sufficient rights to fulfill public access policies.

What is the process?

When you participate, you give Brockport a non-exclusive license to deposit scholarly articles in the institutional repository.

As an example, below is simplified timeline of a publication process:

What kinds of writings does this apply to?

This policy applies only to scholarly articles. Many written products are not included, such as books, popular articles, commissioned articles, fiction and poetry, encyclopedia entries, ephemeral writings, lecture notes, lecture videos, or other copyrighted works. The Open Access Policy is not meant to address these kinds of works.

What version of the paper is submitted under the policy?

The author’s full-text, peer-reviewed manuscript, prior to the publisher’s copy-editing or formatting, unless the journal allows otherwise.

Does the policy apply to co-authored papers?

Yes. Any individual author has the authority to grant Brockport a non-exclusive license to deposit in the institutional repository.

What will happen if I inadvertently do not follow the policy?

As Scholarly Communication Coordinator or other librarians learn of new publications, they may ask the authors(s) to consider post-print permission (copy of accepted manuscript before publication formatting). We know participation will be uneven in the beginning, but believe it will grow as more faculty learn of the Open Access policy.

How will this policy be publicized?

Drake Memorial Library will work with Deans and Department chairs to enlist their support for communicating the policy to faculty. The Library will publicize the policy and continue to review and streamline the process as much as possible. In addition, the Library will promote the Open Access Policy on the Library webpage, through the Daily Eagle, through additional sessions at CELT, during Open Access Week, and in other venues. Librarians will also be helping to spread the word as they talk to faculty and departments.