Book Battle: Ontario University students struggling with textbook costs

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

The cost of higher education is a common concern, and for university students in Ontario, the road to academic success is paved with challenges—one of the biggest being the high cost of textbooks.

As tuition fees continue to rise, many students find themselves battling yet another financial burden—the soaring prices of required course materials. “I spent nearly $800 on textbooks this semester alone, and that’s just for four courses. It’s insane. I have to choose between paying for books or groceries some weeks,” shared a student with me last week.

Her story isn’t unique. A recent study showed that nearly two-thirds of university students in Ontario struggle to afford their required books, but today’s students have options for saving money without compromising the quality of their post-secondary experience. Education should be about learning, not about how much money you can spend on books.

With most published course materials now delivered in digital formats, “textbooks” for university and college courses cost students much less than the heavy hardcover books of the past. Beyond that, innovative programs like Inclusive Access are designed specifically to reduce cost barriers that many students face when acquiring course materials.  These programs deliver course materials to students on, or before the first day of class at reduced prices.

“Inclusive Access programs are already in place on many campuses across Canada and students benefit and appreciate the measures their institutions are taking to help them secure the right course materials, right from the beginning of the semester at the best price,” says Leigh-Anne Graham, Senior Advisor with the Canadian Publishers’ Council.  “There is a growing body of evidence to support the efficacy and benefits for students and instructors participating in Inclusive Access programs, including: increased transparency about costs, increased access to valuable learning materials and better learning outcomes.”

The Canadian Publishers’ Council, as Canada’s main English-language book publishing trade association, represents the interests of publishing companies that publish books and other media for: elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and reference markets, the retail and library sectors. Founded in 1910, its members employ more than 2,800 Canadians and collectively account for nearly three-quarters of all domestic sales of English-language books.

Materials in an Inclusive Access model are typically delivered through a learning management system (LMS) and students always have the choice to opt in or out.

Inclusive Access has saved students over $15 million over the last 10 years at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. Their Digital Textbook Access program offers students 40-55% discount relative to the legacy price of printed textbooks and discounted rates for equivalent digital access.  Course materials are conveniently available on the first day of class and students can access their resources anytime, anywhere.

However, this model was largely ignored by the Ontario provincial government in a recent directive issued on the costs of educational materials under the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act. The directive aims to ensure students and families can easily access information on costs of materials beyond tuition.

While the directive includes a requirement that information about additional features and benefits of digital textbooks also be provided, it falls short in ignoring programs like Inclusive Access that provide value for students and quality content and accessories that will enhance their education.

It’s time for a more comprehensive look at how student affordability is supported.

“In its directive, the government surfaced Open Educational Resources as the only way institutions can support affordability, and that simply is not the case,” says Ms. Graham. “It’s in the students’ best interests that the government not only provide information on programs like Inclusive Access, but also note that all course materials selected by instructors play an important role in supporting student success.”