Course Materials Cost Students More than Money

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A recent survey by Bay View Analytics shows that the majority of students are worried about meeting the cost of their course materials. Additionally, students report that the cost of course materials have academic consequences including getting poorer grades, failing courses, and even affecting their choice of major or institution.

This webinar will review the results from the recently completed Pennsylvania student survey on course material costs. The survey also included a national sample, providing a benchmark for comparing Pennsylvania’s response rates to the broader trends in course material costs, academic choices, and preferences. The student responses will be reviewed before moving into a panel discussion about the impact of these costs on students. The panelists will also discuss how these results can help support advocacy efforts at their institution and statewide. 

Please join us for an insightful presentation and discussion highlighting the voices of current students. There will also be time reserved for attendees for an open Q&A.

Intended Audience: 

This presentation is great for anyone in higher education who works with students or participates in course material adoption committees.

Key Messages:

Attendees will learn about:

  • Student reported statistics on course material costs and their efforts to reduce the costs
  • The large and small impacts of course material costs on students
  • How statewide consortia and textbook affordability organizations can use the survey results to support their advocacy efforts

Speaker Bio

Julia Seaman
Julia Seaman, Ph.D.
Research Director
Bay View Analytics


Elizabeth Nelson
Reference & Instruction Librarian
Penn State Lehigh Valley


Molly Kennelly
Current Student and Director of Academic Affairs for Temple Student Government
Temple University