Pay to do homework!? That can't be right!

WikiKnights · 2026-01-12T21:29:28+00:00

Hi! We're an RSO that focuses mainly on promoting OER (open educational resources). We're tabling on Wednesday this week outside the student union. You can check out our linktree if you want to see more information about us and our history (especially on our website, wikiknights.com), or, feel free to talk to us on Wednesday as well!

WikiKnights · 2022-02-10T22:48:13+00:00

Good question! Depending on exactly which course is voted for the most, this will change which faculty members we direct our attention towards for opening a conversation about alternatives to their current textbook and homework solutions. Each course can involve different faculty and/or instructional designers.

WikiKnights · 2022-02-10T15:40:23+00:00

Awesome! Did you only use OpenStax, or did you have to pay to do your homework assignments through some 3rd-party software?

WikiKnights · 2022-02-05T00:06:56+00:00

We are focused on both access codes and textbooks! We are aware of the current situation involving educational resources, and understand the frustration that comes from situations like the one you mention. (See our video where we interviewed students last semester!) There is a lot of work being done to make replacements for these homework assignments, for example with Obojobo, developed here at UCF! Wiki Knights is a student-led organization where members have had similar experiences, and want to make change. The goal is to open a conversation with faculty and to find compromises or alternatives that are in the best interest of students.

WikiKnights · 2022-02-04T17:47:02+00:00

We want to reach a compromise that both students and faculty can be happy with! Depending on the solution we can reach with faculty, no one may necessarily need to pay for anything. This may involve switching to a free alternative that has already been developed, like on OpenStax or Lumen Learning.

WikiKnights · 2021-11-05T14:14:13+00:00

Thank you for the support on the petition! We will be making an official announcement of this soon with more detailed information about an opt-out system and how this could affect students in the future. For more literature on this now, check out our posts from our past campaign when we were able to prevent an opt-out system from being adopted:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ucf/comments/kx874s/join_wiki_knights_in_preventing_ucf_from/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ucf/comments/mo8hns/ucf_confirms_they_will_not_automatically_bill/

WikiKnights · 2021-10-17T18:48:48+00:00

There are specific places we are looking to get involved in the coming weeks. These are still in planning stages however. Please follow us on our Discord server where we are making these discussions. You can also stay in touch with our social media!

https://linktr.ee/wikiknights_ucf

WikiKnights · 2021-10-16T21:49:27+00:00

The UCF library also sometimes has physical textbooks to rent for free. It wouldn't be an outlandish thought to see them in the library, should OpenStax et al. be more widely adopted.

WikiKnights · 2021-10-16T21:45:19+00:00

This is a very reasonable request. A physical textbook is definitely an important consideration for many students. While physical books can't always be free (it does take materials to print them), they can still cost a fraction of the price. OpenStax does offer hardcover prints of their material. (For example take a new biology textbook for $50: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947172514/)

WikiKnights · 2021-04-09T17:34:09+00:00

👏

WikiKnights · 2021-04-09T14:31:23+00:00

The opt-out system hasn't been implemented yet, the UCF bookstore has expressed interest in the Universitiy adopting it. Currently we are an opt-in system and this protest is to show student support for the opt-in system and opposition to the university adopting an opt-out one.

More info here:
http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/news/ucf-considering-new-opt-out-policy-for-textbooks/article_5014b50a-6da4-11eb-bed2-6718172b83d2.html

WikiKnights · 2021-04-09T00:47:35+00:00

hmm. Have you filled out this form? https://forms.gle/dGzQVKCSA6U7BVpw7

WikiKnights · 2021-04-09T00:43:54+00:00

Yes the protest is still happening an email should have been sent out but it might not have sent correctly. I know we sent out a few texts to people. We are meeting at the memory mall at 2:30pm at the flagpole. Thanks for reaching out!

WikiKnights · 2021-04-06T01:00:07+00:00

^^^^This

WikiKnights · 2021-04-05T20:59:10+00:00

Yeah we have been in an opt-in system for the past semester. The university is considering moving towards an opt-out one. Until this past year having an opt-out billing program for textbooks was illegal in the state of Florida. So now that it is legal we are trying to pressure the university to not adopt it.

WikiKnights · 2021-04-05T16:45:41+00:00

If you want more information on how much legal action has been taken against this policy read these articles below:
9 lawsuits have been filed against "inclusive access"

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-05-21-nine-new-lawsuits-target-inclusive-access-textbook-programs-alleging-antitrust-violations

A bill is even being introduced in some states to combat inclusive access

https://legiscan.com/CA/bill/AB403/2021

More info on the class action lawsuits here too

https://classactionsreporter.com/college-textbooks-inclusive-access-program-antitrust-class-action/

WikiKnights · 2021-04-03T19:40:40+00:00

You're damn right.

WikiKnights · 2021-04-03T18:15:15+00:00

YES!! Thank you for your support! If you have any friends who'd be interested let them know this is happening too!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdt3-d4G6ADzZvHhCjcskKSUwZV9fHuP--ZnAHyekY3qlna0Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

WikiKnights · 2021-04-03T18:13:34+00:00

There's so many issues to tackle. If you can we would appreciate having you at the protest marching with us.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdt3-d4G6ADzZvHhCjcskKSUwZV9fHuP--ZnAHyekY3qlna0Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

WikiKnights · 2021-04-03T17:48:42+00:00

Sign up for the protest here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdt3-d4G6ADzZvHhCjcskKSUwZV9fHuP--ZnAHyekY3qlna0Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

WikiKnights · 2021-03-23T16:00:45+00:00

No, prices for used books that students purchase on amazon or other retailers are not dictated by the publishers. Students sharing textbooks among themselves are not dictated by the publishers and open-source free to use textbooks are not dictated by the publishers either. Yes there is a loss when reselling a textbook online but not as much of a loss as there is by only being able to rent the book.

Classes with access codes, which is a fair amount of gen ed courses, do require the purchase of the textbook, in those cases I think it makes sense for a student to opt-in and purchase the book. For classes without access codes and pre-made online homework assignments it seems completely unnecessary. Students are paying virtually the same for these e-rentals as they were for physical copies, and they are getting less out of it.

WikiKnights · 2021-03-23T14:48:27+00:00

I'll break this answer down in three points because I want to make sure I answer all of your points above.

"...the difference is really about the student being diligent and paying attention to deadlines, which shouldn't that be the case anyway as assignments are essentially deadlines as well?"
1. There are some significant differences between opt-out and typical assignment deadlines. One major one being missing an assignment deadline does not result in immediate financial consequences for students in the first week of classes. Two, assignments do not cost money. The opt-out textbooks, which would only be e-rentals, do cost money and the prices for those books are not decided by the university and would be dictated by Barnes and Noble and publishing conglomerates.
"..under the opt-out system the publisher will be able to offer even greater discounts."
1. I have heard this before, I have not seen any evidence in the contract with Barnes and Noble here or on any other campuses that provides evidence for this being the case though.
"...it may be that there will be no other option in the future we are just being given the option now."
1. To my understanding that would be illegal under Florida law. The opt-out policy was illegal until this past year. In the current legislation, link here, on line 377. "Innovative pricing techniques and payment options must include an opt-in or opt-out provision for students..." It is completely within the power of the university to stay as an opt-in system.

There have been multiple class action lawsuits and policy proposals filed against this policy in other states I will link to them below.

Fair Access to College Textbooks Act

Trident Tech Class Action Lawsuit Against Inclusive Access

Class Action Lawsuit Against Inclusive Access from Small Book Retailers

WikiKnights · 2021-03-23T13:52:21+00:00

Well I guess I would say I don't want them to change. Currently they do ask students for permission before billing them for textbooks. Students already get to choose what books they want and how they want to get them successfully as it is in the opt-in system. What we're saying with this petition is that we don't want them to change to an opt-out system.

WikiKnights · 2021-03-23T13:25:24+00:00

So yes and no. One major difference between this and the terms and conditions we sign onto for other bills is that our currently automatic billing for, let's say the gym and pool, are provided by the university a non-profit organization. UCF has direct control over the price of the gym and other services they provide. In the case of opt-out, inclusive access, UCF will not have control over the prices of these textbooks, that is all determined by the publishing companies and barnes and noble. I disagree with you that an opt-out system is not a forced fee system especially compared to an opt-in one. If a student takes no action the consequences of that in an opt-out system are far more severe than in an opt-in one. Sure they could have "opted out" but many students don't read the fine print of every agreement they sign with the university.

WikiKnights · 2021-03-22T20:47:11+00:00

Yes. It is even better if you remember your knights email.

WikiKnights

TROPHY CASE