Overview

ZERO COST COURSE MATERIALS - ZCCM

Starting January 1, 2018, California Senate Bill 1359 requires CSU and California Community College campuses to:

(1) Clearly highlight, by means that may include a symbol or logo in a conspicuous place on the online campus course schedule, the courses that exclusively use digital course materials that are free of charge to students and may have a low-cost option for print versions.

(2) Clearly communicate to students that the course materials used for the courses identified pursuant to paragraph are free of charge and therefore not required to be purchased.

What if students need to purchase other materials?  The ZCCM designation cannot be used if students are required to purchase any materials. For example, if students need safety goggles, a yoga mat, a calculator, or pay a field trip fee, the course cannot have a ZCCM designation.

What about low-cost (as opposed to zero-cost) sections?  Defining and making a low-cost notation is left up to individual campuses. At this time CSU Chico is only using the required ZCCM notation.

What does count as ZCCM materials?  ZCCM include Open Educational Resources, resources in the Public Domain, Library resources, and faculty created resources that are available digitally for free to students.  Providing students with optional low-cost print versions is also considered ZCCM.

Here's a quick ZCCM checklist of some common course materials that highlights what counts and what does not counts as ZCCM.

How do I have my course/section designated as ZCCM?  At CSU Chico you need to let the Chico State Wildcat Store textbook office know that you are only requiring zero-cost materials.