Technology is now central to people’s education, but it comes at a cost for students in higher education. As a student at the University of Oregon, I saw this first hand when I saw the list of books I needed for winter term. I was appalled — six books, and I couldn’t even afford lunch.
I spent a week locating the cheapest versions of my textbooks. Luckily, I was able to find five of the books for $100. Yet the last book I needed defeated me — a Spanish textbook with an access code to do my homework online.
I asked multiple people if I could avoid it, yet I didn’t have an option; I had to rent the book online for $200. It was a burden to buy these books, but I’m not the only one forced to go through this. The college board expects every student in higher education to budget $1,200 for textbooks each year.
Technology has helped students find cheap alternatives, but at the same time hinders students since publishing companies have created online pay walls. When it comes to access codes, students can’t borrow books, share or use old books, because an access code requires a student to always buy it new.
Technology doesn’t have to be the enemy, though; it can be the solution by helping us access open education resources. These are free and open alternatives we should be prioritizing. The solution exists to textbook affordability; we just need to apply it.
Kennedy Parish
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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