What are ZTC and OER?
ZTC (zero textbook cost) refers to classes that have no costs for textbooks or materials. ZTC is a broad term that encompass many different types of free, online resources: websites, images, videos, and eBooks.
OER are a specific type of ZTC that have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others or resides in the public domain. In other words, OER are high quality, no-cost, accessible textbook alternatives and course materials.
As the costs of traditional textbooks rise, the use of ZTC and OER can help remove a barrier to education that many students face.
You can also find more information about the Open Educational Resources Initiative from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.
Still unsure about OER? Check out SPARC’s OER Mythbusting Resource to better understand!
How can students identify Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)?
Courses that are participating in ZTC program will be identified in WebAdvisor with this logo: 
Where will students access the digital OER materials?
There are several websites that host OER materials. Your instructor will include information on the syllabus or course website.
Here are some courses that have adopted OER textbooks or Reduced Price textbooks:
| Course Section | Course Title | Faculty |
| M3494 | Biology – Prin of Biology | M. Ha, W. Rockey |
| M3412 | Psych 1A – Gen Psychology | M. Selden |
| M3414 | Psych 1A – Gen Psychology | M. Selden |
| M4985 | Math 101A – Elem Alg First Half | T. Chetra |