Hi Sam!

I am passing on a response from Becca, who isn't on this mailing list but is leading a project to support the implementation of cost indicators in BC:

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My name is Becca Shortt, I am a project manager at BCcampus and currently working on a Cost Indicators project.

We have experienced some backlash, so we put together some "Mythbusting" resources on our webpage with resources to further look into. It is by no means an exhaustive list of what we've heard, but the resources do go into further detail about the benefit of both cost indicators and using OER. You can find what we've pulled together so far here: BCcampus Cost Indicators Project

As well, here are some more institutions in B.C. using cost indicators/ZTC programs in addition to the ones you have listed - each institution does it in a unique way based on their registration system and their type of program enrollment:

British Columbia Institute of Technology - using a Course Outlines page for cost indicators (here is their website: https://zerotextbookcost.opened.ca/)
Vancouver Community College - offers ZTC programs

Please reach out if you have any further questions or would like to discuss the Cost Indicator project further.

Thanks,

Becca

rshortt@bccampus.ca

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Josie Gray, MDes she/her/hers

Interim Director, Open Education

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BCcampus

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From: Canada Open Education Resources <canadaoer@lists.bccampus.ca>
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2026 07:29
To: Canada Open Education Resources <canadaoer@lists.bccampus.ca>
Subject: [Canadaoer] Crowd sourcing institutions engaged in ZTC

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Hi Everyone,

We are attempting to launch the zero textbook cost / low textbook cost course marking/cost indicators on the student timetable for the next academic year. We have experienced some rather negative backlash for this initiative from certain departments. I am wondering how others, if engaged in this sort of project, have dealt with this type of feedback. If you would be willing to meet with me to discuss, I would be most appreciative.

In the meantime, I am also putting together a list of other institutions engaged in this work, as Faculty here want to know. I have not fully developed the libguide just yet, I am working on it this week, but you can see it here and let me know what you think if you want: https://stfx.libguides.com/OER/ZTC

Otherwise, this is the list of Canadian universities I have been able to find via Google so far. I recall there may be somewhere in Saskatchewan as well? If you know of any other places can you please let me know? They are in no particular order, by the way!

Which other Canadian institutions are doing this sort of cost indicators on their timetable?

1. University of Alberta

2. Kwantelen Polytechnic University

3. University of the Fraser Valley

4. Red Deer Polytechnic

5. Vancouver Island University

6. Thompson Rivers University

7. Brock University

8. Cape Breton University (forthcoming)

Thanks!

Sam Read MA (Études françaises), MLIS

[she/her]

Digital Initiatives & Data Services Librarian

Angus L. Macdonald Library

St. Francis Xavier University

Antigonish, Nova Scotia · Canada

Book an appointment with me: https://stfx.libcal.com/appointments/sam

Liaison Librarian for:

Aquatic Resources | Business | Earth & Environmental Sciences | Economics | Modern Languages | Political Science | Psychology | Public Policy & Governance

I acknowledge that StFX is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.