UIS Petition for Textbook Affordability

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UIS Petition for Textbook Affordability

Campus Administration

Expensive college tuition is a problem every student faces if they want to continue their education. To make matters worse, there are additional hidden fees that come with taking college courses. They come in the form of textbook and homework services. In a study conducted by PIRGs in 2014, it was revealed that 65% of students skipped out on buying textbooks. The issue with this is that this potentially hinders a student’s learning capabilities and ability to excel in the class. Student PIRGs’ campaign to make textbooks more affordable and accessible to students will help ease the financial burden for many students.

Sponsored by

The Student PIRGs in Illinois

To: Campus Administration
From: [Your Name]

Dear Campus Admin,

The market for textbooks is broken. As a result, the costs of textbooks has increased three times the rate of inflation. What's more, 17% of students skip buying their access codes to participate in class, sacrificing their grade to afford their basic needs. And with $3B in financial aid given to students to pay for their course materials, even after graduation our students will face the burdens of merely participating in class. With the ongoing economic crisis from the pandemic, we need to do everything we can to make college more affordable.

Students should not be forced to feel such a financial burden in purchasing textbooks required for classes. That's why we support implementing more open textbooks and resources, so we may participate fully in our classes and achieve the success we all wish to by attending college.

The Open Education Resources (OER) Program aims to lower the cost of textbooks for students, by encouraging professors to use free or low cost textbooks as opposed to expensive alternatives. We are asking to expand the OER program funding, and raise awareness on campus so more faculty will incorporate these resources in their coursework.

We ask that we work together to fix the broken market of textbooks, so all of our students may participate fully at our institution.