Behind the Curve but Moving Ahead: Advocating for an Open Access Policy as a Late-Stage Adopter

Abstract

Open access policies are a well-established practice within the scholarly communications landscape; numerous research universities passed policies more than ten years ago. However, some institutions remain without an open access policy. Such institutions occupy an ambiguous position, as they fortuitously benefit from the ample literature and best practices on open access policies–yet they also face entrenched issues, such as inadequate staffing, siloed research support, and a campus culture averse to open access, which have put them behind the curve on adopting an open access policy in the first place. This study traces the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s recent work developing and advocating for an open access policy, offering a framework other research institutions can follow as later adopters.