The Open & Affordable Education Committee is a cross-campus group working to support the use of free and low-cost course materials and innovative teaching practices in the classroom. We accomplish this by promoting the use of open educational resources, highlighting other affordability initiatives at Iowa State, encouraging faculty innovation, and empowering our faculty to create new open educational resources by providing grants and training opportunities. 

Why Open and Affordable Course Materials?

A survey of Iowa State University students in 2022 found that because of high textbook costs...

• 91% of students delayed purchasing required course materials
• 70% of students tried to pass a course without purchasing any required materials
• 65% of students downloaded illegal copies of course materials online
• 34% of students had to purchase textbooks instead of groceries
• 23% of students dropped a course, affecting their progress toward graduation

The choices students make when they cannot afford course materials can negatively impact their ability to succeed in a course. By encouraging the use of free and low-cost materials in the classroom, OAEC hopes to decrease the number of students unable to purchase their required materials and increase the number of students excelling in their studies at Iowa State. 

Your choices are impactful

At Iowa State University, faculty are instrumental and wield the power to make education accessible to all. The choices you make for your course(s) shape the future for countless Iowa State students. By selecting wisely and early, you're not just advancing knowledge but also breaking barriers.