3 UI Survey Results

In Spring 2023 the Open Campus Committee distributed a survey to all undergraduate and graduate students and faculty at the University of Idaho with the goal of understanding student and faculty perspectives on course materials costs. Respondents who completed the survey totaled 1,112. Preliminary results show that there is high student desire for affordable course materials, and faculty interest in developing OER is high despite barriers to adoption including limited time and knowledge.^[1]

Student Retention and Advising has been instrumental in leading survey development and data analysis, providing valuable insights and perspectives. They have also shared their experience and anecdotal information on how students and advisors currently estimate costs, offering valuable context to the work of the OCC. Student Retention and Advising’s contributions are vital in understanding student perspectives and informing decision-making regarding course materials costs. Some preliminary findings are as follows:

Data Snapshot

Undergraduate participants (n = 704)

• 60% reported experiencing challenges in affording living expenses while at UI
• 47% reported not purchasing a required course material because they could not afford it
• 86% reported purchasing a required course material for a class and not using it

Top reported ways students have tried to reduce course material costs:

• 72% bought a course material from a source other than the campus bookstore because it was more expensive at the campus bookstore
• 66%  have rented a digital version of a course material
• 61% have bought a used copy of a course material from the campus bookstore
• 46% have shared a course material with a classmate
• 32% have rented a printed course material
• 31% have illegally downloaded a course material online
• 30% have rented only the digital course material chapter(s) needed for a course

“I have found that the courses that have required textbooks that can only be purchased through the VandalStore are more expensive (upwards of $250+) and we typically only read a few chapters out of or complete very few exercises provided in the workbook. I have gone out of my way going through each year of college to find required textbooks through renting websites or amazon to avoid the cost of textbooks on top of tuition, living expenses, and extra”. -Undergraduate student

Graduate participants (n = 243)

When asked about the overall affordability of expenses:

• 45% reported experiencing challenges in affording living expenses while at UI
• 38% reported not purchasing a required course material because they could not afford it
• 58% reported purchasing a required course material for a class and not using it

Top reported ways students have tried to reduce course material costs:

• 67% bought a course material from a source other than the campus bookstore because it was more expensive at the campus bookstore
• 47% rented a digital version of a course material
• 41% bought a used copy of a course material from the campus bookstore
• 31% rented a printed course material
• 30% shared a course material with a classmate
• 27% have illegally downloaded a course material online
• 23% have used a reserve copy of a course material from the campus library

Teaching assistants (n = 49)

• 20 TAs reported using OERs in their current classrooms
• 37 TAs reported interest in using OERs in a future classroom

“Textbooks (as a harshly general term) are something that many professors deeply expect you to acquire, regardless of your ability to fund, or even of the material’s actual necessity. I have no family to rely on for extra funds, I have no way to thoroughly save money with my stipend hardly being able to cover rent, so I am not above a safety net like my peers and colleagues. I have had discussions with many professors – both in undergrad and graduate – about alternative ways to fund my need for certain materials. Many are understanding, but there are occasional professors who feel that – despite full awareness of differing economic standards between generations – I must purchase any and all materials and equipment, because otherwise I must ask myself, “am I really dedicated to this career and way of life?” -Graduate student

Teaching faculty participants (n = 165)

Self-reported average cost of course materials per class:

Factors considered when choosing course materials:

Current course material affordability actions in use:

Faculty interest in future course material affordability actions:

Preferred incentives to incorporate OER or course material affordability actions:

What is the greatest barrier to incorporate OER or course materials (book/textbook) affordability actions?

Time to incorporate OER or course material (book/textbook) affordability actions into courses

“In the past year I have changed all of my textbooks to inclusive access which has greatly reduced the costs for students. Revising all of my courses (8 total) and ensuring the OER materials meet our accreditation standards would be a huge undertaking.” -Teaching faculty member

“I would love to turn my course notes and materials into OER.  The two things that would be most helpful for encouraging this would be: 1) some help or support in devising a plan of action (how should I proceed?  Where–what archive–should they be published?  What kind of license–CC or…??–should I use?  etc.).  2) Some assurance that the development of OER will be valued at a level consistent with the amount of work involved by the university administration, my department chair, the Dean, etc.” -Teaching faculty member

Further analysis and publication on this survey will follow, stay tuned for updated information and links.