SACRAMENTO, Calif. — New regulations approved by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors will require colleges to dramatically expand the availability of free, open-source textbooks and instructional materials for students, beginning on the first day of class.

“This regulation is a bold step forward in tackling a critical issue: making textbooks and other instructional materials affordable and accessible to all of our students,” said Board President Hildegarde B. Aguinaldo. “By prioritizing affordability, students can better focus on meeting their higher education goals without added financial stress.” 

Under the new regulation, governing boards of community college districts are required to adopt policies that prioritize free instructional materials.

Once the regulation is finalized with the state of California, districts will have 180 days to put the policies into effect.

These policies are to include the following strategies:

• Developing and implementing degrees that don’t require students to pay for textbooks;
• Using open-source instructional materials complete degrees and career education certificates;
• Using free, open-source instructional materials for courses where they are commonly available, with a focus on general education requirements;
• Establishing lending programs and maintaining college library resources to ensure immediate access to course materials; and
• Strengthening student financial stability through the timely disbursement of financial aid and other institutional program resources. 

“With this regulation, we are ensuring that all students have access to the materials they need to be successful on day one,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “Prioritizing zero-cost general education textbooks through adopting Open Educational Resources will benefit the vast majority of our students and drive progress towards our system’s Vision 2030 goals. The California Community Colleges is ensuring financial barriers no longer stand in the way of academic success.”

Currently, California college students spend an average of more than $1,100 annually on textbooks and other instructional materials — a cost that disproportionately impacts students from traditionally underserved communities.

By addressing this financial barrier, the regulation aims to prevent students from having to choose between purchasing essential materials and meeting basic needs. 

Board of Governors member Joseph R. Williams played a large role in moving this regulation forward.

“This is an issue of equity. Many of our most vulnerable students face significant financial challenges, which delays or ends their dreams of higher education. These hardships underscore the urgency of reducing costs to prevent students from choosing between essential instructional materials and basic needs. This resolution is an opportunity to truly make California Community Colleges more accessible for everyone,” said Williams.

The regulation is part of a larger effort to scale the development of zero-cost degrees and general education pathways throughout the 116-college system. 

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year.