By: Kate Pittsley-Sousa, Coordinator of the EMU Library Textbook Affordability Initiative

Current trends in commercial textbook publishing can have negative effects on students, instructors, and enrollment. There are ways to improve outcomes, particularly for faculty who are aware of these trends and can act accordingly.

Trend 1. Rapidly rising textbook costs

From 2006-2016 textbook prices rose 88%, while tuition and fees rose 63%. Overall text price increases were still higher than tuition increases from 2011 to 2021.

A large 2022 survey of college students in Virginia found that due to the cost of required course materials:

- 38% of students took fewer courses

- 34% earned a poor grade

- 16% failed a course

- 16% chose their major in part on text costs

One simple strategy is to submit text orders early, so the bookstore can acquire more used texts. Better yet, consider affordable alternatives beyond those offered by the dominant text publishers.

Trend 2. More frequent editions, and very expensive older print editions

Textbook rentals and online markets for used texts decrease new commercial text sales. Publishers respond with more frequent editions. In some disciplines, faculty notice little difference in new editions and continue to assign older editions, so they needn’t adjust courses for minor text changes and students can buy used texts. However, low stock of older editions can cause pricing algorithms to create cases where an older edition costs significantly more than a new edition.

Although assigning an old edition might still help students, it’s best to first check prices and the number of copies available on Amazon to gauge whether the bookstore will be able to provide enough reasonably-priced copies. If feasible, it may work better to provide students with a range of editions that will work for the course.

Better yet, if you are tired of having to redesign your course for new editions that aren’t necessary, take a look at open textbook options with Creative Commons Licenses that allow you to upload the entire text to Canvas and often also allow you to make your own updates to the text as needed. Open texts eliminate cost barriers for students and decrease inequality, since high text prices have a disproportionate effect on Pell Grantees, first generation students, non-white students, students with disabilities, and other vulnerable student groups.

Trend 3. The disappearing print text and rise of online rentals

Large textbook publishers have signaled their intention to eliminate print texts and move entirely to digital rentals. Most students prefer print texts, but choose digital texts when they can’t afford the print. Print options impact faculty adoptions, so publishers use a subtle strategy: Print small runs of books, pricing them so high that most students can realistically only choose the digital rental or skip buying the text.

Numerous smaller publishers offer high quality texts with more reasonable print prices, and many will also sell a library ebook version. Adopting one of these texts means that more students will be able to obtain a print text and those who still can’t afford the text might be able to rely on a library ebook. When EMU instructors had a library ebook for their course, 75% thought more students completed the readings.

Trend 4: Custom texts

Sales representatives encourage instructors to save students money by designing a custom text with select chapters from a comprehensive text. However, the net effect for students is often higher cost, since used copies of the custom text may be scarce and students usually can’t identify the comprehensive text to find a used version. Also, custom texts often have little to no resale value.

For greater freedom to customize readings without increasing costs, consider using a mix of chapters from library ebooks, articles in the library collection, and Open Educational Resources (OER).

Trend 5: Access codes, "inclusive" access

Access codes, especially homework codes, often give students no option to rely on a used text, library ebook, or print copy on reserves at the library. Expensive codes can cause students to avoid enrolling in a particular course. So-called “inclusive” access programs automatically bill students for online course materials. Legally they must provide students with an opt-out, but if the code is required to submit homework, the only real opt-out is dropping the course. Adoptions are encouraged by touting the benefits of access to course materials on the first day of class. However, use of OER and linked library resources also provides immediate access without charging students.

The Virginia survey included comments from students who dropped courses because of access code costs. Considering that students in vulnerable groups were found more likely to drop a course due to materials cost, the name “inclusive access” is a cynical marketing ploy—a more accurate term reflects the corporate objective: “every student pays.” The Virginia researchers also described how code charges caused some students to distrust the institution.

Corporations might initially offer access codes and inclusive access at reasonable prices to encourage adoption, but might also significantly raise costs in subsequent years. They understand that faculty are unlikely to quickly switch to different course materials. There are 100 level courses at EMU that list $200 access codes at the bookstore. Do you know what codes in your department cost?

You’ll note that I’ve switched terminology from publisher to corporation. Pearson’s investor communications state they are the “global leader in education” and boast of “taking over” degree programs. The same platform used for inclusive access and access code materials is used to offer for-profit online degrees.

Please consider whether access code material is highly beneficial to students and necessary. If you do use codes, monitor costs and question increases. Open homework systems are available, Canvas has useful capabilities, and you might find open access interactive materials.

Library Faculty Consultations on Alternatives

Searching for alternatives can be complex. EMU Library Faculty use multiple strategies to find affordable course materials and provide a list of options to consider. Consultations are increasing, most result in success, and we have many repeat customers. For a consultation, contact your subject librarian.

If you have questions on the EMU Library Textbook Affordability Initiative, please see this FAQ or contact Kate Pittsley-Sousa at kpittsle@emich.edu. The Library Faculty is happy to partner with faculty to find affordable course materials.