More than 1,000 professors nationwide are choosing to provide college students with free, online and open source textbooks. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group started the “Open Textbooks” campaign to encourage professors to seek affordable and accessible course materials for their students. Three professors from Louisiana have signed the statement – Clancy Ratliff, English professor at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette; Kristie Weeks, English professor at Louisiana State University-Shreveport; and James Mackin Jr., communication professor at Tulane University. Weeks said textbooks are too expensive for students. “My job as a teacher is to look out for my students,” Weeks said. Mackin said the price of textbooks has “gotten out of hand.” The PIRG statement said professors who sign it intend to “seek and consider open textbooks and other open educational resources when choosing course materials.” Weeks said she teaches technical writing, and there are no textbooks available for it. She wants something online for her students to use for class. James Wharton, LSU chemistry professor and former LSU chancellor, said the cost of textbooks has gotten out of control, especially when new editions do not include necessary changes. “Yet, students are forced to buy new books because prior editions are taken off the market,” Wharton said. Weeks thinks professors need to see college as a business. “If we don’t provide, we’ll eventually lose our customers,” Weeks said. “We’re starting to lose customers because they can’t afford textbooks – it’s ridiculous.” Mackin said professors need to see it more from the students’ perspective. “They have to recognize what an imposition it is on the students,” Mackin said. Although Mackin signed the statement supporting open source textbooks, he does not have plans to write one because of time constraints. Mackin said many teachers are not rewarded with tenures or promotions for writing textbooks. “A lot of professors who write [textbooks] are doing it to make money as a source of income,” Mackin said. Wharton said his only concern with online textbooks is it might not meet the standards that result from extensive review. “Even so, I would be willing to sign the statement for free textbooks and push institutions to ensure the quality of the textbooks being used on campus,” Wharton said. Mackin said the more we support and recognize online textbooks, we would be able to give credit to people in the tenure process if they provide this service. “It’s going to take somewhat of a cultural change in academia in terms of recognizing what contributions are to the discipline,” Mackin said. “LSU, like Tulane, is a research institution that rewards published research. Right now, that wouldn’t include anything in the way of open textbooks.” Wharton said LSU needs to take strong measures to control the costs incurred by students, especially those who live away from home. “The savings associated with free textbooks would be a significant step toward controlling costs,” Wharton said.
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