Did you know UAS has saved students more than $1 million through open textbooks, setting the stage for èƵ’s first “Z-Degree”?
Listen to this story
August 26, 2025
Why it matters
Textbook costs block students from finishing college. UAS is leading in , removing cost barriers and positioning èƵ as a national leader in affordability.
According to a by Colvard, Watson and Park, students in OER courses earned higher grades and withdrew less often, with Pell-eligible students seeing the greatest gains.
The backstory
When UAS in 2014, students faced new challenges in getting course materials. Librarian Jonas
Lamb saw an opportunity. In 2015, he began exploring open educational resources and
working with faculty and student leaders. Those early efforts grew into what is now
known as .
The problem
Lamb recalls, “In my first semester, I asked colleagues what we were doing about the
textbook problem and was shocked at the answer: ‘We don’t buy textbooks.’ It felt
like an area where we could really make a difference and help make college more accessible,”
he said.
Mathematics professor Megan Buzby has seen those costs directly affect her students. “Students resorted to renting, finding pirate copies, or looking up formulas on their phone. This is hardly a stable learning environment,” Buzby said.
The solution
The Egan Library partnered with faculty to expand access through open and affordable
course materials. “We have had really good feedback,” said Buzby. “They appreciate
the cost savings and that we have taken care of at least one of the many tasks they
have to complete before they get to the main objective of learning.”
Psychology professor Ali Ziegler said she is using OERs whenever possible.“Traditional textbooks were over $100 for my entry-level courses. Shipping to èƵ was slow, delaying students from getting started. OERs are free and available immediately,” Ziegler said.
By the numbers
- More than $1 million in student savings at UAS
- More than 10,000 students impacted
- 889 course sections offered with Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) materials
- More than 200 faculty engaged in textbook affordability practices
- About $225,000 saved each semester
Partners and recognition
- UAS Student Government passed a 2017 resolution in support of textbook alternatives,
which kicked the effort into gear.
- Campus leaders (faculty and administrative) such as Robin Gilcrest, Heather L. Batchelder, Megan Buzby, Andrea Dewees, Kasia Polanska, Maren Haavig, Elise Tomlinson and Trisha Lee advanced the work on campus.
- Partners at UAA (D’Arcy Hutchings, Howard), UAF (Jennifer Moss), , and the contributed expertise and collaboration.
Funding and investment
Open UAS progress has been supported through internal awards such as the Faculty Initiative Fund and the , which have funded scanning equipment, faculty stipends, and professional development. External grants are limited in this space, and Lamb said donor support could have an outsized impact.
Big picture
UAS helped shape èƵ’s 2024 Textbook Cost Transparency Act, requiring all universities
to mark Zero Textbook Cost courses. By reducing costs and increasing access, the initiative
keeps more students enrolled. Globally, OER has saved students more than $1 billion,
and UAS is part of that success.
UAS Chancellor Aparna Palmer said in a recent press release that the initiative reflects its commitment to students. “Offering affordable access to an excellent education is our number one priority at UAS,” Palmer said.
What’s next
Low-cost course labeling begins in 2026. UAS is also exploring a Z-Degree, a complete
degree built on zero-cost courses. With donor or state support, the model could scale
across UA and enhance èƵ’s reputation for leadership in higher education.
Go deeper