The project highlights courses with no required textbook costs
It’s no secret that university textbooks and materials can be expensive. In response to this, and to help students access the course materials they need regardless of their budget, the VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) and the Office of the Registrar have partnered on a collaborative effort known as the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) pilot project. The project aims to make learning more affordable by making it easier to identify courses where there is no required textbook costs.
ZTC courses use free resources like library materials, open educational content and online tools to support your learning. Launching in time for the 2026 Spring Semester, students will be able to spot ZTC courses in the timetable and in web registration. Just look for the “ZTC” label when registering.
Learn more about the pilot project from former Interim Registrar Brittany Parker and Brandi Klee, Director of External Relations with VIUSU:
Where did the idea for this initiative come from?
Brandi: This project started because students keep telling us just how expensive life has become. Unaffordability is at an all-time high, and while VIUSU can’t solve the entire cost-of-living crisis, we can take action in areas where students feel the pressure most – like textbook costs.
VIUSU has advocated for open education for years through the Open Textbooks Now! campaign, encouraging the use of OERs in the classroom. This year, it became clear that improving affordability would also require a broader, system-level approach – one that could support students across programs while fully respecting academic freedom.
We brought the idea to Interim Registrar Brittany Parker, who immediately saw its potential. From there, we began working closely with the Office of the Registrar, the Library and the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning to turn this into a collaborative, campus-wide initiative.
This project is about supporting affordability and transparency: giving students predictable access to course materials and clear information the moment they register, while highlighting and celebrating the work many instructors are already doing to keep learning accessible.
“This pilot shows what’s possible when the university and students move in the same direction. With continued collaboration, we can build a model of affordability and transparency that benefits our whole campus community.” – Brandi Klee
Brittany: The idea for this initiative came from the VIUSU team, who approached the Office of the Registrar with a proposal to highlight courses with zero textbook costs in VIU’s student record system. They were eager to explore opportunities and collaborate on making this happen. From there, we worked together to develop a plan and launch the ZTC initiative in a short timeframe. A key contributor was Lizz Fransen, Associate Registrar, who was able to come up with a quick and effective systems solution that made this pilot program possible.
Are we the first to try something like this?
Brittany: Both Thompson Rivers University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University participated in an initial launch of Zero Textbook Costs in partnership with BCcampus several years ago. After connecting with a project manager at BCcampus, they expressed excitement that another BC post-secondary institution is implementing this initiative and are looking forward to collaborating and learning how our pilot progresses.
How will this impact students?
Brandi: The ZTC pilot at VIU is all about making life a little easier for students. When you register for classes, you’ll now be able to see which courses don’t require you to buy a textbook – something that can save you hundreds of dollars each semester. Earlier this year, when we asked students how much they were spending on textbooks, the answers were staggering: some reported paying close to $1,000 in a single semester. That kind of cost can make the difference between taking a full course load or dropping a class altogether, and 26% of students who drop a course say they do so because they can’t afford the materials.
And the impact isn’t the same for everyone. For first-generation learners, unexpected costs can become a major barrier to staying enrolled. For Indigenous students, who often face systemic barriers and higher financial pressures, removing hidden course costs supports equity and access. For international students, who already pay significantly higher tuition, textbook costs can be the tipping point between a manageable semester and an overwhelming one.
By showing ZTC information right at registration, students can plan with certainty, avoid financial surprises and choose the learning environment that works best for them. US-based research has found that students in no-cost/low-cost courses are more likely to pass, less likely to withdraw and more likely to stay on track with their program.
“We hear from students every day that textbook costs add up fast. Being able to choose courses knowing exactly what materials cost — or don’t cost — gives students real power over their budgets and their education.” – Brandi Klee
Where would you like to see it go next?
Brandi: Looking ahead, we’d love to see even more instructors exploring OERs and zero-cost materials so students have a wider range of ZTC courses to choose from. We also want to introduce a low-cost indicator – something that shows students when course materials can’t be totally free, but are still affordable (for example, $40 or less). Even that level of transparency can make a meaningful difference when students are planning their schedules and budgets.
Long-term, our hope is that VIU becomes a model for the rest of the province. By taking early leadership on course-cost transparency, VIU has the chance to inspire other institutions to adopt similar systems that support affordability, access and student success. The more campuses that embrace this approach, the more momentum we build toward real, provincewide change.
“The future of this work depends on continued collaboration. As more partners join in, we can expand ZTC options and build a campus culture where affordability is part of every student’s learning experience.” – Brandi Klee
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