OER are resources that:

• Reside in the public domain or under a license that allows free use and repurposing, such as a Creative Commons license
• Includes resources that are legally available and free to students
• Include, but are not limited to, full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, faculty-created content, streaming videos, tests, and software

What is OER?   (Video: CC BY 4.0 Music: The Zeppelin by Blue Dot Sessions: CC BY NC 4.0)

In order for a section to be designated as a "ZTC" Zero-Textbook-Cost class it must fulfill one of these requirements:

1. All required TEXTBOOKS and readings for the class can be accessed online by students for free (ex: OER textbooks, library ebooks).

2. There are no required textbooks for the class (textbooks might be recommended, but not required).

Other considerations:

• Lab materials or required supplies are not considered a textbook cost, so if a course section meets the parameters noted above, but do require a materials fee – then the section WOULD qualify as a ZTC class. 
• If students need to pay fees to access a software platform to do coursework or homework, this counts as a textbook cost.  The course section would NOT qualify.