More than three in four college students in Virginia worry about the cost of textbooks and course materials. More than a third say the costs have led them to take fewer classes, opt not to register for certain courses or to receive a poor grade. Students with disabilities, those who receive financial aid, and those who are first generation or come from an underrepresented population are particularly affected, according to the statewide Virginia Course Materials Survey published this fall. At Virginia Commonwealth University, a VCU Libraries program is working to alleviate that burden. The Open and Affordable Course Content Initiative provides support to faculty to help them identify, customize or create free alternatives to expensive course materials.
