COS Definitions of ZTC & LTC
These definitions were approved by the Academic Senate on Thursday October 20, 2022
COS definition of ZTC
Zero textbook cost (ZTC) courses have zero costs for students. ZTC courses either:
- have no required textbook or materials, or
- use required textbooks or materials that are available to students for free
Free textbooks or materials include items such as open education resources (OER), instructor-created materials, online library resources, and other reputable material available at no cost online. In addition, ZTC courses do not require students to pay fees to access software platforms or homework sites, or to purchase supplies, such as calculators, art supplies, tools, or safety goggles.
Notes:
- ZTC means zero cost to students but does not guarantee zero-cost to the college (e.g. subscription library databases, equipment loans such as calculators and cameras).
- In order for library ebooks to make a course ZTC, the Library must provide adequate concurrent access to materials. “Adequate concurrent access” for ebooks is currently defined as at least 1 concurrent access copy for every 11 enrolled students or one circulating copy each in an amount equal to 2/3 of course enrollment; AND a commitment to purchase additional copies as needed (as indicated by concurrent access turnaways or zero copies available/waiting lists on circulating ebooks copies).
- ZTC classes may still offer students the option of purchasing print copies of materials.
COS definition of LTC
Low textbook cost (LTC) courses have a total cost equal to or less than $50.00 for students. LTC courses may use any combination of:
- purchased materials and/or supplies whose cost does not exceed the LTC threshold
- no required textbook or materials
- OER materials
- instructor created materials
- online library resources
Notes:
- The price threshold for LTC courses is determined using the pre-tax price of a new print or ebook copy of the textbook from the COS Bookstore
- LTC courses may require students to pay fees to access software platforms or homework sites if the cost does not exceed the LTC threshold.
- "Supplies" include calculators, art supplies, tools, safety goggles/equipment, etc.
- The college may choose to purchase course materials or supplies for students in order to lower course costs to below the low cost threshold.
- If relying in whole or in part on library ebooks to make a course LTC, the Library must be able to provide adequate concurrent access to materials. “Adequate concurrent access” for ebooks is currently defined as at least 1 concurrent access copy for every 11 enrolled students or one circulating copy each in an amount equal to 2/3 of course enrollment; AND a commitment to purchase additional copies as needed (as indicated by concurrent access turnaways or zero copies available/waiting lists on circulating ebook copies).
- Students may opt to purchase materials rather than accepting a free option that allows a course to be designated LTC.