A Model Open-Access Policy

Abstract

The following is a model open-access policy in the Harvard style—with a freely waivable rights-retaining license and a deposit requirement. This language is based on and informed by the policies voted by several Harvard faculties, as well as MIT, Stanford University School of Education, Duke University, and others. I have added some annotations explaining why the wording is chosen as it is. Extensive information about good practices for university open-access policies is provided in a widely endorsed guide from the Harvard Open Access Project (http://bit.ly/goodoa). We would greatly appreciate your help in assessing how institutions are using the model open-access policy and how it could be improved.