Beginning in the spring semester, Los Medanos College will move closer to a statewide goal of eliminating the financial strain that textbooks place on students. The new Burden-Free Instructional Materials policy — approved by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors — aims to ensure all students have free or low-cost access to required course materials by early 2026.
The policy, which became effective July 30, 2025, gives college districts 180 days to align their local procedures with the new regulation. It supports Vision 2030, a long-term initiative by the California Community Colleges to improve access, support and success for all students.
College President Pamela Ralston said the cost of instructional materials has become one of the most significant barriers to student success.
“While the state of California has worked to keep the cost of tuition low at community colleges, as well as providing crucial opportunities for waiving those costs for people in economic need, the cost of textbooks has continued to increase drastically over the past two decades,” Ralston said. “At times, students have to choose between textbooks and other essentials such as food, transportation, or housing.”
Ralston said that access to affordable materials is vital to helping students achieve their academic goals. “There are times when people cannot buy their textbooks, which can lead to a much lower success in their courses,” she said. “Increasing low-cost or no-cost texts is vitally important to support our students and helping them meet their goals.”
The Burden-Free Instructional Materials (BFIM) policy was inspired by a growing movement in higher education to make course materials accessible through Open Educational Resources, or OER — digital textbooks and learning tools that are free for students to use and adapt.
Professor Tiffany Morgan, the college’s OER and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) faculty lead, said the new regulation strengthens an effort that is already underway at the district level.
“The Burden-Free Instructional Materials policy equires instructors to provide access to the necessary materials, such as textbooks, the first week of class,” Morgan said. “The regulation encourages use of Open Educational Resources, but instructors may also make a small portion of a commercial textbook available within fair use guidelines.”
Morgan said the Contra Costa Community College District, which includes LMC, has already met the requirements of the new policy. “This regulation is being implemented at the district level, not the college level,” she said. “It is my understanding from speaking with members at the district office that we are already in compliance with this new regulation.”
Still, the data show why such policies matter. Morgan cited surveys across the district indicating that high textbook prices affect student success. “Our 4CD survey found that over half of students were unable to afford their textbooks in the first three weeks of class,” she said. “Twenty-three percent dropped a class because of textbook cost and 17% of students said they had skipped meals to afford textbooks. No one should have to choose between a meal and an education.”
For Morgan, adopting OER and ZTC materials is one of the most meaningful ways faculty can make an impact. “Equity is about giving people the tools necessary to succeed,” she said. “ZTC levels the playing field. It allows everyone to have access to the materials that are necessary to do well in a course.”
With the new regulation taking effect, Los Medanos College is ready to ensure that no student’s education is held back by the price of a textbook.
