UASU opposes Coalition for Affordable Course Materials, concerns about flat fee

In 2023, the University of Alberta considered implementing the Academic Materials Program (AMP). The program would have allowed students to digitally access their required academic materials on the first day of classes at a flat, semesterly fee. The 2023–24 University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) opposed the program alongside a report outlining their concerns.

On January 21, the Coalition for Affordable Course Materials (CACM) presented their mission to the UASU Students’ Council. A key element of CACM’s strategy is its First-Day Access (FDA) program. Similar to AMP, FDA provides students with all required course materials on the first day of classes at a flat, semesterly fee. The program has been informed by two years of consultations with university groups, according to the presentation.

At this meeting, council passed a motion expressing their opposition to FDA. Council raised concerns with the FDA’s flat fee and the projected amount of students who would benefit from the program — around 7,000–9,000.

On January 28, Layla Alhussainy, UASU vice-president (academic), held a Council of Faculty Associations (CoFA) joint board meeting. At this meeting, CACM members presented their goals to the U of A’s Student Representative Associations (SRAs).

First-Day Access program set to launch in fall 2025

The CACM has a three-pronged approach, Ravina Sanghera, vice-provost and dean of students (DoS), said. This includes FDA, expanding the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) program, and promoting the adoption of open educational resources (OER) by faculty.

Modelled after the Student Experience Action Plan (SEAP), CACM will use a co-creation model. Faculty, educators, and students will be engaged throughout the implementation process, Sanghera said. According to the presentation, focus groups will be held this semester and the recommendations to the Provost and Vice-president (academic) Verna Yiu will be drafted by June 2025.

For FDA, students would pay a flat fee of $249 per semester, Kevin Moffitt, director of retail operations and vice-president (facilities & operations), said. This is a reduction from the predicted $300 AMP fee cost. Students will be given the opportunity to opt-out before the add/drop deadline. Those enrolled exclusively in ZTC or OER courses will be automatically exempt from the program.

The program will prioritize delivering digital materials but will also provide physical copies. Additionally, CACM is working with university communications to inform students of the program and their ability to opt-out, Moffitt said.

“There are no funds from the [DoS] or any other university unit directed towards this program,” Moffitt said. “The university’s bookstore budget, even with this program, is projected to remain the same, which is a net profit of about $150,000.”

Trish Chatterley, associate university librarian, emphasized that publishers’ transition away from print-based textbooks has “changed the landscape” of university bookstores and libraries.

“The library cannot purchase an electronic copy of many of these commercial textbooks. We are being written out of the equation. We can’t operate like we used to with our course materials program.”

CACM’s goal is to work with faculty to adopt a ZTC approach or develop OER in their courses, Chatterley said.

SRAs question First-Day Access program

At the January 28 meeting of CoFA, representatives from various SRAs raised concerns with the proposed program. Emma Snow, Indigenous Students’ Union (ISU) vice-president (finance), questioned the program’s “one size fits all” approach. She said that the opt-out model is “preying on new students” who might not understand how to opt-out.

Katherine Huising, associate vice-president (campus services), said that CACM is committed to effectively communicating the opt-out option to students. CACM will work with the UASU and the faculty associations in this regard, Huising added.

Aamir Mohamed, Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) President, asked for a timeline for the transitionary period. Sanghera said that it will be “an ongoing evaluative process” of no longer than two years.

Pedro Almeida, 2023–24 UASU vice-president (academic) — who prepared the report opposing AMP — raised concerns with students missing the opt-out deadline. He also emphasized that student leaders have a “lack of trust moving forward” with this type of program.

“I would say 99 per cent of student leaders have indicated that they are not in favour of moving forward,” Almeida said. “I would even wager a guess that more student leaders in this room would be okay with the bookstore no longer selling textbooks than implementing this program.”

In response, U of A Bookstore manager and vice-president (facilities and operations) Adam Medaglia cited the University of Waterloo‘s decision to no longer sell textbooks. Medaglia said this was a “disservice to their students” as they have “no influence” when purchasing textbooks directly from vendors.

Additionally, Almeida questioned the motivating factor behind CACM.

“The last time AMP came up, there was a quote from a university administrator that [said] we shouldn’t use the words equitable access because it wasn’t about equity. It was about the business realities of the bookstore,” he said.

“I would almost feel better if the presentation just said that this is about the business realities of the bookstore.”

CACM to hold co-creation workshops in late February

The Gateway reached out to U of A media relations for comment on CACM and FDA. The Gateway received an emailed statement from Campus Services and CACM.

Regarding the difference between AMP and FDA, CACM said that FDA was informed by feedback about AMP, specifically the UASU’s 2023 report opposing its implementation. According to the statement, key changes include automatic exemptions for students in exclusively ZTC or OER courses and the exclusion of “unlimited-access ebooks licensed by the library” from vendor fee assessments. Additionally, those who opt-out can purchase materials “à la carte from the bookstore at competitive prices.”

The Gateway asked how CACM is addressing the pressures the bookstore is facing.

“FDA strengthens the bookstore’s academic role through increased collaboration with the library and the [DoS] while allowing bookstore staff to focus on general merchandise and UA-branded items,” the statement said.

The Gateway also asked how CACM plans to address student concerns with FDA. The statement cited “potential financial harm” to those who miss the opt-out deadline as the primary concern. The statement said that communication about the implementation will occur “through as many channels as possible.”

The bookstore will have a grace period for students who did not opt-out by the deadline. Those who do not opt-out in time “due to unforeseen circumstances” will be able to be refunded, the statement said.

“Opt-out timelines will align with course add/drop timelines. Students will have an opportunity to trial the FDA during this time to see if it meets their needs.”

Additionally, CACM will host co-creation workshops beginning in late February 2025 and an instructor survey “will be distributed soon,” according to the statement.