MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kansas State University announced its second day of giving — All In for K-State — for March 24, 2021 in an effort to help students save money on textbooks.
The event will gather K-Staters in a virtual setting for a day of support for the university's Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative, Textbooks 2.0, which saves students money by replacing traditional textbooks, which often can be expensive, with open/alternative resources tailored to the class by the instructor.
"In 2019, we launched the inaugural All In for K-State day of fundraising and discovered what generous K-Staters can accomplish in one day for one philanthropic objective. On March 24 we're going to rally the K-State family again to help students save money on textbooks and essential class resources," said Greg Willems, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation. "All In for K-State 2021 is about providing digital textbooks, custom-tailored by class instructors, that students can afford. Over the past few years, we've learned how important digital alternatives to traditional class materials can be."
The cost of textbooks has increased three times faster than the rate of inflation over he last few decades.
Kansas State students aren't immune to the high cost of traditional textbooks and the impact that has on the affordability of a college education. Undergraduate students at K-State typically pay around $1,000 per year on books. Textbooks 2.0 currently cost only $10 per class. In the past six years, K-State students have saved $6.8 million with Textbooks 2.0. Unlike traditional or commercially published textbooks, Textbooks 2.0 are available on multiple digital devices, including phones, laptops and tablets.
"Supporting Textbooks 2.0 is kind of like giving a small scholarship to every student in a class year after year," said Brian Lindshield, associate professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health. "Not only does this help students financially, but students in classes with open/alternative textbooks all have access to a customized Textbooks 2.0 on the first day of class, something that does not occur for all students with traditional textbooks."
For more information, you can visit allin.ksufoundation.org to learn more about All In for K-State and Textbooks 2.0.
During the first All In for K-State in 2020, more than $320,000 was raised in one day to support one student-focused cause.