OER & Textbook Affordability at GCC

Since Fall 2018, Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Low Textbook Cost (LTC) courses at GCC have saved students an estimated*

$7.8 million!

Definitions

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) classes offer free access to all textbooks and course materials used in the class.

Low Textbook Cost (LTC) classes have a textbook and materials cost that is less than $40 total.

OER / Open Educational Resources are free and openly licensed educational materials that can be used for teaching, learning, and research. OER is just one type of material that can be used to make a class ZTC.

*Cost savings estimate is calculated using $100 as the average cost of a textbook, based on OpenOregon’s “Is the average cost of a textbook $100?” ZTC savings are estimated at $100/student and LTC savings are estimated at $60/student.

See how to search for Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Low Textbook Cost (LTC) courses on the Zero & Low Textbook Cost page:

GCC Faculty, is your course Zero or Low Textbook Cost? Make sure your course section is marked correctly in the Online Class Schedule so students can find it! 

GCC policy is that instructors should list their course sections as Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) or Low Textbook Cost (LTC) at least one month prior to the start of priority registration for a semester/session. See current deadlines here: ZTC & LTC Deadlines (OER Events Calendar).

• To list your course section as ZTC/LTC, let your Division Chair know when you accept your section assignments. They will submit the information to the Curriculum department.
• Section not listed correctly? Contact your Division Chair, who will work with the Curriculum department to correct the listing.

Below are the Best Practices for Equitable Access to Course Materials as defined by the GCC Academic Senate OER Committee, from best case scenario (A) to the minimum that should be offered (E).

1. Free Online + Bookstore: All course materials are legally free for the student to access (e.g. OER, open access, and/or through the Library) through their Canvas course shell  and there are low cost/at cost physical versions offered through the GCC Bookstore (for students with no- or low-quality internet access)
2. Free Online: All course materials are legally free for the student to access through their Canvas course shell
3. Low Cost + Bookstore + Library: Course materials are low cost (under $40/course) and are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore (so that students with financial aid can purchase them) and there is a print or digital reserve copy available through the Library
4. Bookstore + Library: All course materials are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore and there is a print or digital reserve copy available through the Library
5. Bookstore: All course materials are available for purchase through the GCC Bookstore