As institutions of Higher Education try to balance limited resources with the rising costs of technology, some institutions
are turning to Open Source software for campus-wide applications such as course management systems and portals. The assumption
is that Open Source will provide the flexibility to build pedagogically sound learning environments while increasing technology
efficiencies. This paper outlines the current state of Open Source software deployment in US Higher Education based on a survey
of 772 Chief Academic Officers and Chief Information Officers conducted in 2006. The results indicate that Carnegie classification
is a critical differentiator of awareness, adoption, and perceptions of Open Source software applications, with perceived
cost of ownership being the key driver of Open Source adoption. Moreover, the study shows that institutions have made little
progress in the development of polices and procedures for Open Source regulatory compliance and security. The study serves
as a baseline for future research into the conditions for successful use of Open Source for supporting integrated learning
environments that deliver campus-wide efficiencies.
Keywords Open Source software - Institutions of higher education - Information systems