Holistic Approach to Textbook Affordability at a Community College
Location
Online
Start Date
14-10-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
14-10-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Abstract:
Chemeketa Community College has systematically worked to address high textbook costs since 2014 when they convened a college-wide committee, the Affordable Learning Initiative (ALI). Drawing together initiatives located in the college-owned bookstore, library, accessibility services, faculty groups, and student support, ALI has coordinated, supported, and promoted affordability work that has led to lowering average textbook costs for students by more than 37%. Responding to statewide legislation, student demand, and shifting textbook markets, Chemeketa leads the way in creating a campus culture and data-driven practices that prioritize affordability while also ensuring academic quality.
This program will bring together representatives from Chemeketa’s Bookstore, Library, and one-of-a-kind nonprofit affordable textbook publisher, Chemeketa Press. Presenters will describe Chemeketa’s path toward affordability, specific innovations that each partner has developed, partner interactions and collaborations, funding considerations, and institutional support. Attendees will learn about practices that have succeeded, and those that have failed, and those we see coming down the road. Attendees will leave with practical suggestions for campus-wide innovations that they could implement at their own institutions.
Outcomes:
- Examine a whole-college model for textbook affordability.
- Analyze key successes and lessons learned.
- Identify scalable strategies for your campus.
Bios:
- Abbey Gaterud is the Director of Chemeketa Press, a not-for-profit affordable textbook publisher based at Chemeketa Community College. Abbey works with faculty authors to publish and distribute Press books to a national audience.
- Amanda Faltyn is the Director of the independent Chemeketa Community College Bookstore. She is the current President of the Northwest College Bookstore Association.
Holistic Approach to Textbook Affordability at a Community College
Online
Abstract:
Chemeketa Community College has systematically worked to address high textbook costs since 2014 when they convened a college-wide committee, the Affordable Learning Initiative (ALI). Drawing together initiatives located in the college-owned bookstore, library, accessibility services, faculty groups, and student support, ALI has coordinated, supported, and promoted affordability work that has led to lowering average textbook costs for students by more than 37%. Responding to statewide legislation, student demand, and shifting textbook markets, Chemeketa leads the way in creating a campus culture and data-driven practices that prioritize affordability while also ensuring academic quality.
This program will bring together representatives from Chemeketa’s Bookstore, Library, and one-of-a-kind nonprofit affordable textbook publisher, Chemeketa Press. Presenters will describe Chemeketa’s path toward affordability, specific innovations that each partner has developed, partner interactions and collaborations, funding considerations, and institutional support. Attendees will learn about practices that have succeeded, and those that have failed, and those we see coming down the road. Attendees will leave with practical suggestions for campus-wide innovations that they could implement at their own institutions.
Outcomes:
- Examine a whole-college model for textbook affordability.
- Analyze key successes and lessons learned.
- Identify scalable strategies for your campus.
Bios:
- Abbey Gaterud is the Director of Chemeketa Press, a not-for-profit affordable textbook publisher based at Chemeketa Community College. Abbey works with faculty authors to publish and distribute Press books to a national audience.
- Amanda Faltyn is the Director of the independent Chemeketa Community College Bookstore. She is the current President of the Northwest College Bookstore Association.