Thursday, November 12, 2026 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Have you ever heard from your college bookstore or an administrator that your college can achieve “100% equitable access” to textbooks starting on day one? First Day Complete, Inclusive Access, Equitable Access, BookSaver – the names and business models vary, but the sales pitches often sound remarkably similar: convenient, affordable textbooks for every student. But what happens when these programs automatically charge students for course materials? Who determines which materials are included, how prices are negotiated, and whether students can easily opt out? What do these agreements mean for faculty academic freedom, student choice, and local efforts to expand the adoption of open educational resources (OER) and the establishment of Zero Textbook Cost pathways? Join us for a panel discussion featuring three OER Liaisons who have navigated bookstore auto-billing programs from different institutional perspectives. From challenging proposed programs through the purview of the academic senate to examining bookstore contracts, institutional agreements, and student billing practices, panelists will share their experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for protecting students and faculty. Whether your college is considering an auto-billing program, already has one in place, or is simply trying to understand the growing number of branded textbook access models, this webinar will provide practical tools for informed governance, transparency, and student-centered decision-making.
Register for Auto-Billing and the College Bookstore