The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) has begun the process of making all textbooks and course materials completely free. By transitioning all undergraduate and graduate courses to Open Educational Resources (OERs) and other no-cost course materials, UPIKE recognized that now was the moment to make this change for students and their families. As leaders within higher education, we agree that classroom resources, including textbooks, are important as it guides learning within technical and community colleges as well as four-year university environments. But we also recognize the cost of textbooks is a barrier that impacts student learning. The inability to afford textbooks and other course materials is a social justice and equity issue, disproportionately and negatively impacting some students compared to others.
https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article248600030.html
