Input regarding campus bookstores and oer listings

[cabott]

Hello All!

I'm hoping for any and all input/suggestions/etc. 

Our campus bookstore management was recently moved to Follett. In the past few semesters I have found that they will list the print version of an OER (such as OpenStax) as "required", and will not include a link to the free online version. The list price is often $40+. 

I recently learned that bookstore staff are asking faculty for links to all OER/ZTC materials being used by faculty to remain aligned and in compliance with AB607. It is my understanding that the language in the bill does not require bookstores to list links to OER materials (the "display estimated costs" language is directed towards for-cost textbooks); and, additionally, we are already compliant by the use of our ZTC icon within the class schedule (identifying no-cost courses). 

I sent an email to that effect to the bookstore staff, and they sent a reply referencing PLAW (section 112) and the HEOA, and that AB607 is a reinforcement of HEOA. They stated their goal is to ensure transparency and reporting for students.

Transparency is great, and it would be great for students to encounter a bookstore page for their course that states their course required textbook is an OER and is freely available online (and even list an inexpensive print option as a choice, though not required). But that has not been the case. 

I guess my question is whether I am correct that we are already AB607 compliant, even without including links to OERs in the course listing for textbooks within the online bookstore.

Either way, I will be sending another email to the bookstore asking for a conversation regarding the listing of print versions as required. 

Thanks!

Corrie

[Michelle Pilati]

Hello! You are correct - the California no-cost marking legislation does not require a link to the resource you are using. The need to audit how OER appear in the schedule is a universal one. In other words, these are common issues.

Michelle

On Nov 5, 2025, at 1:08 PM, 'cabott' via CCCOER Community Email <cccoer-...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hello All!

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[TJ Jefferson]

Good evening 

Does anyone have access links to the following books:

Improvement Science Handbook

Leverage Leadership 2.0 (orange text)

Leading School Improvement: A framework for Action

I appreciate your help.  Enjoy the rest of your week.

Warm regards,

TJ Jefferson, M.Ed.

• If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.  If you dream it, you can become it.  Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.

[Matt Connell]

Hi All,

Speaking as an instructor, I have to be honest, I’ve grown increasingly frustrated with the way contracted, for-profit bookstores operate. Their approach often undermines the effort faculty put into keeping course materials affordable and accessible. I use OER in all my classes specifically so students don’t have to spend money on textbooks. Each semester, I make this as clear as possible: I include a detailed note in the adoption system stating that no purchase is required, I send out several reminder emails to students, about a month before class, again a few weeks out, and once more when the course starts, and I post everything directly on a Canvas page so students have easy access to every reading and resource (i.e. OpenStax, etc).

Even with all those steps, there have still been cases where the bookstore "conveniently" left out my “note to students,” which has led to unnecessary confusion and, worse, students paying for materials they didn’t need. That’s incredibly discouraging. From an instructor’s point of view, it feels like these bookstore contracts prioritize profit over transparency and student support. I put a lot of time into curating no-cost materials because I believe education should be as accessible as possible. 

I’d really like to see a conversation about how we can ensure faculty instructions are followed and that students get accurate information from the start. 

~Matt

Dr. Matt Connell

Instructional and Systems Designer

Early Childhood/Special Education

ma...@mrmatt.org // ma...@connellenterprises.org

Cell: 620-287-0343

Central Time Zone - USA

     

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[Wilson, Jody]

Hi Corrie,

We've had the same issue at my college. Faculty found that many students were unaware that they were not required to purchase the print versions of the OERs. Departments and individual faculty members have attempted to address this in a number of ways including:

• Refusing to provide the links to the OER being used. (The section notes in the bookstore links state variations on "see your instructor for FREE OER."
• Providing the links to the OER, but placing variations on "FREE PDF is available at https://..." in the section notes in the bookstore link."

The links to the OERs are not live. 

Best,

Jody 

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From: cccoer-...@googlegroups.com <cccoer-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Michelle Pilati <mpi...@asccc.org>
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Subject: Re: Input regarding campus bookstores and oer listings

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