Textbook affordability (TABS) provides benefits to students and faculty and is consistent with Ball State’s commitment to inclusiveness in the following ways:
- Make education more accessible, equitable, and sustainable
- Ensure first-day readiness
- Improve student engagement since they have what they need on Day 1
- Enhance student and faculty experiences
- Increase satisfaction and well-being for students in their educational journeys
TABS is part of the affordable education movement across the country, an important effort to reduce costs and remove barriers for student access to course learning materials. At Ball State we define textbook affordability as $40 or less per course. Affordability can be achieved through use of Open Educational Resources, low-cost textbook alternatives, or use of library services and resources.
TABS and Ball State First Day: How They Work Together
Both Textbook Affordability at Ball State and Ball State First Day aim to reduce course material costs and ensure students have access to materials on the first day of class. Students enrolled in TABS courses may choose whether or not to participate in Ball State First Day. The programs complement one another, with key distinctions:
TABS
- Faculty-driven initiative
- Emphasizes affordability at the course level
- Caps student material costs at $40 per course
- Encourages OER and library-integrated resources
- Courses carry the TABO/TABL designation
Ball State First Day
- Applied broadly across all courses in a given semester
- Students are billed a flat rate per credit hour for required materials
- Students are automatically enrolled and may opt out each semester
Impact on Students
Of BSU students taking TABO/TABL courses in 2025
Save
Money
The majority used the saved money to pay for educational expenses (tuition, student fees, additional courses) and essentials (rent, food, utilities, childcare, or medical care).
Increase
Readiness
87% reported that course materials increased their knowledge of course content and 89% reported that the materials were tailored to the course content and students in the class.
Increase
Engagement
87% reported that costs had a significant impact on their decision to read or engage with the materials and 81% found the materials engaging and interesting.
Improve
Accessibility
91% reported that course materials were easily accessible.
College Toolkits for Textbook Affordability
The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, in partnership with University Libraries and the Division of Online and Strategic Learning, supported several working groups as they prepared to adopt open educational resources (OER) in individual courses and programs. Participants created a series of TABS toolkits for your review and possible adoption. Access the toolkits below.
How Open Educational Resources Helps Students
TABS can help remove barriers to success. In a national survey (Bay Analytics, 2023), students reported that the cost of course materials caused them to:
- take fewer courses (57%)
- not register for a course (52%)
- earn a poor grade (41%)
- withdraw from a course (34%)
- fail a course (31%)
Faculty Share How Students Benefit From Open Educational Resources
What Are the Benefits of a More Affordable Education?
An expansive research project conducted at the University of Georgia has revealed that students granted free or low-cost course materials achieved higher academic results than students who paid full price. The study also revealed that a greater percentage of students earned As and the DFW rate fell.
The study also indicated that the use of Open Educational Resources had a beneficial effect on faculty as well. Faculty can have more ownership over their courses and curriculum. They have more control over the development of course materials and can grant students much-needed aid. Faculty are also pleasantly surprised by students’ preparedness for their courses, from day 1.
SEE THE STUDY (PDF)
Work With Us
Interested in joining our mission?
- You can explore our toolkit of helpful resources for creating your own course with open-source materials.
- You can apply to join the TABS Faculty Affordable Course Teams (FACT) program (application deadline: February 27, 2026). Apply here.
Contact Us
TABS Working Groups
- Mac Clark, Instructional Consultant, Division of Online and Strategic Learning
- Emma Giles, Scholarly Communication and Affordable Learning Librarian
- Lisa Jarrell, Associate Dean for Research, Access, and Open Education
- Linh Littleford, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development and Professor of Psychological Science
- Cheri Madewell, Director of Instructional Consultation, Division of Online and Strategic Learning
- Laura Suman, Head of Access and Open Education
- Sarah Ackermann, Former Executive Director for Teaching Innovation
- Art Hill, Director of Customer Research and Insights
- Kristen McCauliff, Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media and Associate Professor in Communication Studies
- Mary Moore, Senior Lecturer of Communication Studies
- Nancy Prater, Executive Director of Market Development
- Jorn Seeman, Associate Professor of Geography
- Matthew Shaw, Former Dean of University Libraries
- Laura Suman, Head of Access Services
- Trudi Weyermann, Assistant Provost for Learning Initiatives
- Natalie Writers, Campaign Manager