SWC News Center

Removing Barriers, Expanding Access: SWC Advances Zero Textbook Cost Initiative

By Ko Inouye - May 20, 2026

At Southwestern College (SWC), access to education is being redefined—starting with the cost of course materials.

Through its Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Initiative, the College is working to ensure that all students have free, immediate access to instructional materials on the first day of class, eliminating one of the most common financial barriers to success.

“I once paid for a book that was almost $300,” SWC Child Development and Social Work & Human Services student, Veronica Carranze conveyed, “...using ZTC has changed a lot for me with my classes and using that extra money for school or even for gas for my car…making it easier to study and less stressful.”

Aligned with California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030 goals of equity in access, success, and support, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to student-centered learning. By replacing costly textbooks with Open Educational Resources (OER) and other zero-cost materials, SWC is creating a more inclusive and equitable academic environment.

SWC Dean of Instructional Support Services, Mia McClellan explains, “The ZTC program gives students access to required course materials from the first day of class, removing financial barriers that can prevent full participation and academic success.”

Building a Culture of Access

The ZTC effort at SWC is the result of a collaborative, faculty-driven approach. Established by the Academic Senate in 2021, the ZTC Taskforce has worked to develop sustainable infrastructure, support faculty adoption, and align institutional policies with state guidelines. 

SWC Professor of Child Development, Jenny Sabas states, “Not only does it address affordability, but it improves access by ensuring that students have their textbooks on the first day of class.”

Their work has already led to the development of multiple ZTC pathways, allowing students to complete entire programs without the added cost of textbooks.

SWC Environmental Science student, Lulu Yepez expressed, “[It is] stress-relieving knowing that there is no additional cost and I could better prioritize my money for basic needs.”

A Proven Model: Psychology Leads the Way

One of the initiative’s most notable successes is the Psychology Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T) pathway, launched as a pilot program in Fall 2025.

In its first semester, 91% of psychology course sections were ZTC, with all faculty contributing to the effort by converting at least one course.

“When we look at the SWC Institutional Research & Planning Dashboard data from 2019–2020 through 2024–2025, students in Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses consistently demonstrated strong completion and success rates that were comparable to or higher than those in non-ZTC courses,” SWC Professor of Economics, Sarey Kirby argues that, “Expanding ZTC offerings means that more students begin the semester with immediate Day 1 access to course materials, which is an important factor in retention and academic success.”

Real Savings, Real Impact

Beyond accessibility, the financial impact of the ZTC initiative is substantial.

The Psychology pathway alone is estimated to save students more than $423,000 per semester, with projected savings exceeding $8 million over the next decade.

“Student success and completion are influenced by many factors, and many of these obstacles are outside of students’ control,” SWC Professor of Psychology, Chris Hayashi emphasizes, “When a student must choose between buying a $300 textbook or eating for a month, the choice is not really a choice at all.”

For many students, these savings can mean the difference between staying enrolled or dropping out.

“I would say that the way [ZTC] benefited me [was that] it helped me to transfer to UCSD,” SWC Sociology alumnus, Matthew-Diego Benny voiced, “...if you don't have to worry about having to buy the textbook and you have the textbook readily available for a class…[you] might be more likely to succeed.”

Expanding Pathways, Expanding Opportunity

Building on this success, SWC is expanding ZTC pathways across disciplines. Programs in development include Sociology, Economics, Geology, Math, Chemistry, Social Work & Human Services, Asian American Studies, and more.

Each pathway is designed to integrate zero-cost materials while maintaining academic rigor and supporting transfer readiness.

Faculty are supported through professional development opportunities, mentorship programs, and access to tools like LibreTexts and Canvas course templates—ensuring that quality and accessibility go hand in hand.

A Path Forward

As the ZTC initiative continues to grow, SWC is positioning itself as a leader in equitable access to higher education.

SWC Librarian Margaret Drehobl advocates, “Since many ZTC courses use Open Educational Resources (OER), instructors can adapt content to be more culturally inclusive—replacing generic examples with ones that reflect the diverse backgrounds of their students.”

What began as a faculty-led effort has evolved into a campus-wide movement—one that challenges traditional models and reimagines what it means to remove barriers for students.

“As someone who transferred from SWC to UCSD in fall 2024 and [is] now about to graduate, after really reflecting on my experience, I would say that ZTC did have a net positive on my ability to transfer”, Benny concludes. “I think any way that our educational institutions can alleviate barriers is wonderful.”

For SWC students, the message is clear: education should be accessible from the very first day—and the ZTC initiative is helping make that vision a reality and creates opportunities for up-to-date responsive learning.