Open Access Policy

Background

Over the last five years the University has maximized its opportunities under the 2008-09 “opt-in” Open Access Resolution adopted by Faculty and University Councils. There are now about 1,400 peer reviewed articles in the institutional repository OpenBU. Over 4,000 BU authored articles are published annually. The Faculty Council recognizes that adopting an opt out policy will allow the University to take the important next step in the “promotion of Open Access in routine operations.” as recommended in 2008.

Open Access Policy

The Faculty of Boston University is committed to disseminating the fruits of its research and scholarship as widely as possible. In keeping with that commitment, the Faculty adopts the following policy: Each Faculty member grants to Boston University permission to make available his or her scholarly articles. More specifically, each Faculty member grants to Boston University a nonexclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to exercise any and all rights under copyright relating to each of his or her scholarly articles, in any medium, provided that the articles are not sold for a profit, and to authorize others to do the same. The policy applies to all scholarly articles authored or co-authored while the person is a member of the Faculty except for any articles completed before the adoption of this policy and any articles for which the Faculty member entered into an incompatible licensing or assignment agreement before the adoption of this policy. The Provost or Provost’s designate will waive application of the license for a particular article or delay access for a specified period of time upon express direction by a Faculty member. Each Faculty member will provide, at no charge, an electronic copy of the author’s final version of each article no later than the date of its publication to the appropriate representative of the Provost’s Office in an appropriate format. Boston University may make the article available to the public in an open access repository. The Office of the Provost will be responsible for interpreting this policy, resolving disputes concerning its interpretation and application, and recommending changes to the Faculty from time to time. The policy will be reviewed after three years and a report presented to the Faculty.