Supporting Student Success Through Course Material Affordability: Wildcat Shop and CWU Libraries Partnership Goal 1: Develop clear pathways into and through the university to ensure equitable access to higher education, enhance student engagement and success, and improve retention and graduation rates. Initiative 1.2: Increase retention rates of new freshman students, closing equity gaps. Initiative 1.5: Map inclusive, evidence-based, and pedagogically sound High-Impact Practices (HIPs) to our academic and student engagement programs in a developmental way throughout a student’s journey. The CWU Libraries and Wildcat Shop have collaborated through the 2024- 2025 academic school year. Their respective achievements are reflected in this presentation. Through presentations, workshops, and individual meetings with faculty, Affordable Course Materials Librarian Anna Crosswhite has worked to increase knowledge around Open Educational Resources on Campus. An estimated total of $341,655.80 has been saved through the libraries Affordable Course Materials Initiative. This was achieved through a combination of OER work already happening on campus and communicating library licensed unlimited user eBook access to faculty and students. In partnership with the Wildcat Shop, adopted course material that is available as an unlimited user access eBook will be reflected (Free at CWU Libraries) in the title with professor permission. This partnership alone is an estimated $50,855.6 out of the $341,655.80 in estimated student savings. The savings are estimated as students have the option to purchase a print or digital copy of their textbook. The CWU Libraries work in partnership with the Wildcat Shop impacted an estimated 1,324 students in the 2025 academic year. These efforts impact student success as surveys show an estimated 65% of students choose not to purchase a textbook due to the cost (PIRG, 2021). A University of Georgia study of over 20,000 students from 2018 concluded that OERs reduced the D, F, and withdrawal rates for all students while increasing student success (Colvard, N. B., Watson, C. E., & Park, H., 2018). The CWU Libraries Affordable Course Materials Initiative pursues student success, retention, and financial sustainability for students. The Wildcat Shop has three main priorities: ˺ Provide faculty requested course materials to students. ˺ Support commencement ˺ Provide brand recognition and distribution through sales of branded items.
The Wildcat Shop has worked to encourage faculty to adopt lower cost or open educational resources to help make education more affordable and accessible for our students. Due to the influence of our efforts and partnering with key faculty we have saved students millions of dollars over the last six years as we have adopted over 75% digital course materials including inclusive access materials and courseware on campus which equate to massive savings for our students. Fall of 2025 represents the next phase in course material delivery evolution as we roll out the Course Material Access Program (CAP). This is a shared cost model where each undergraduate student pays a flat rate each quarter for all their course materials. Digital course materials are delivered through Canvas while physical textbooks can be picked up at the Wildcat Shop or delivered for a fee. Students have the option to opt out of the program up to the add/drop deadline. This program allows students to have day one access to their materials so that they are ready to learn day one. Students also do not have to make course/major decisions based on the cost of materials as the cost is standardized for everyone who chooses to remain in the program. We are excited to partner with the library in order to continue to advocate for OER and library resources. This partnership with the library supports the Wildcat Shop as we move to a digital first model for course material delivery methods. These initiatives are meant to allow students choices, and allow them first day access to their materials so that they are prepared to be successful in the classroom. Contributors : Anna Crosswhite, Joseph Pearson References : https://studentpirgs.org/2021/02/24/fixing-the-broken-textbook-market-third-edition/ https://searchlib.cwu.edu/permalink/01ALLIANCE_CWU/1c5n89p/ cdi_eric_primary_EJ1184998
11
12
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator