Texas College Will No Longer Require Students To Buy Textbooks

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Everyone knows that college is expensive and that isn't going to change any time soon. Prices continue to rise across Texas and the United States. But one college in Texas is looking at bringing a little relief to students, by no longer requiring them to purchase textbooks in the future.

Starting next Fall, West Texas A&M will no longer make students purchase textbooks for classes. The announcement was made recently by the West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler in a letter to students, faculty, and staff. According to the Texas Tribune, Wendler said the change is to help reduce the cost of a bachelor's degree and said that the change could present an opportunity to see how AI can be used in the classroom.

The purchase of reference books and digital materials like style guides may still be required for courses, but Wendler said many virtual options are available to replace them as well.

The university will also provide additional free printing to students who wish to have a physical copy of course materials, Wendler said. Students’ allotment of free pages to print will be increased from 1,500 to 3,000, though students may be able to print more pages if they need them, he said.

According to the Texas Tribune, the average cost of a college textbook is $105.37 and that Texas undergrads at four year universities can see costs up to $1,226 in textbooks and supplies for an average year.

Back when I was in college textbooks were very expensive and when selling them back at the end of the semester, you hardly got a good deal.

Of course, not everyone is on board with the no textbooks required idea according to the Texas Tribune.