Open source textbooks
ASUI Sen. Cruz Botello will work with ASUI President Max Cowan on the president”s project to replace textbooks for some University of Idaho courses with free, open source textbooks of equal quality. He plans to replace the majority of 100-level and general education course textbooks with these free alternatives.
Botello said he is passionate about joining the project as he can relate to the struggle of paying too much for textbooks. He said that although the VandalStore may lose some income initially, having textbooks free the first year of college would be a major selling point that would increase enrollment and retention and generate more long-term funds.
He said Open Stax is an example of a service that provides open source textbooks, though it is not necessarily what ASUI will propose UI use.
“Additional expenses deter people,” he said. “It would be an investment.”
On campus living exemption
ASUI Sen. Zachary Spence is working on a project to increase awareness about the exemptions to UI”s requirement that all freshmen live on campus. He said there are age, credit and living arrangement exemptions that most students do not know about.
FACES
ASUI Sen. Brianna Larsen is working on a resolution that would show support for domestic violence and child neglect prevention group FACES or Family Advocacy, Care, Education, Support. The bill would give $500 to the group, which would allow the organization to promote awareness at UI”s homecoming game.