CSUF News Center - University Joins National Effort to Reduce Textbook Costs for Students

"Cal State Fullerton is one of 11 universities and schools across the nation selected to be a part of the 2017-18 OpenStax Institutional Partnership Program to encourage the use of free, peer-reviewed textbooks and other open educational resources (OER) on campus.

'With more than 40,000 students at Cal State Fullerton, faculty adoption of no-cost OER instructional materials would have an incredible impact on lowering the cost of higher education for students,' said Shelli Wynants, director of online education and training. 'Additionally, because OER are openly licensed, faculty can reuse, remix and change materials to ensure up-to-date, customizable content that is delivered in alternative, more engaging ways than traditional textbooks, such as interactive elements and animations.'  

OpenStax, an initiative of Rice University supported by several philanthropic foundations, provides free textbooks that are developed and peer-reviewed by educators as a means to lower the cost of books for college students. Partner institutions were selected based on their willingness to help drive the adoption of OER — freely accessible text, media and other digital assets useful for teaching, learning and research."