Tackling New Federal Agency Public Access Mandates at the University of Arizona

Abstract

Objective: In 2014, federal agencies began releasing their implementation plans in response to the 2013 White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Increasing Access to the Results of Federally Funded Research policy memorandum. The University has in place an established Data Management support service, which has addressed new data requirements. However, in early 2016 the University of Arizona Libraries (UAL) and Office of Research, Discovery & Innovation (RDI) convened to discuss how the university can help researchers address these new growing federal agency mandates on manuscripts and data. Methods: By the summer of 2016, a collaboration of UA Libraries and the office of RDI formed the University of Arizona Public Access Working Group. Results: Since receiving its charge, the working group has continued to meet on a regular basis. Thus far, the group activities have included scheduled campus informational sessions and the development of guides and a resource page. Conclusions: Next steps include expanding the list of entities covered to go beyond federal agencies. Additionally, the working group will soon start conversations with faculty stakeholders on developing a robust Open Science infrastructure and ecosystem for the University of Arizona.