Fresno State’s Academic Senate approved a policy outlining faculty responsibility for making course materials accessible for all students. 

The new policy, Academic Policy Memorandum (APM) 234, guarantees that instructional course materials are commercially available to all Fresno State students while also allowing professors the freedom to choose the course materials. 

“We must ensure that information and data are accessible, in equally effective forms, for persons with disabilities as well as those without disabilities,” APM 234 reads. 

Revisions were made to APM 234 before the new policy was approved by the Academic Senate. Concerns of APM 234 centered around the cost-effectiveness of course materials and the increase of workload for school faculty. 

“While accessibility is incredibly important, these tasks are not where our pedagogical training or area expertise lie,” said Lisa Bryant, the Political Science Department chair. “They are not the best use of our time as instructors or researchers.” 

Conservative estimates show that the new policy can increase up to 20 hours of work per class each semester for faculty members, according to Bryant. The additional hours of work will likely take place outside of the contract since faculty members are on contract up to two days before classes begin each semester. 

“The university does have staff to support faculty with these tasks, but it is unlikely that the few support staff available would be able to process all of the documents needed by all faculty each semester,” Bryant said. 

APM 234 was received from Nichole Walsh, chair of the Academic Policy & Planning Committee. The policy was referred to the Executive Committee on Sept. 30, 2024 and became policy on Oct. 6, 2025. 

The new policy has yet to be approved by Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. 

After APM 234 was approved, the Academic Senate then discussed APM 217 revisions, which was initially approved on Nov. 18, 2024. 

APM 217 updated Fresno State’s lower-division general education requirements and graduation requirements last fall. 

APM 217 makes it easier for transfer students to maintain their academic record when transferring between California Community Colleges, the California State University system and the University of California system. 

The Academic Senate will continue the agenda on Oct. 20.