Minnesota State outlines zero‑textbook initiatives and student support programs, requests base funding

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities told the Senate Higher Education Committee that its five‑year initiative to expand open educational resources has produced multimillion‑dollar savings for students and that additional base funding would help the system expand zero‑textbook degree pathways and student supports.

Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch and Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Sheppard said Minnesota State has produced more than $12.6 million in aggregate student savings, with 6,200 course sections transitioned to 0‑cost materials and more than 126,000 student enrollments in those courses. Ten colleges now offer a pathway described as a “Z degree” (a degree pathway with no textbook or course resource cost), and another 12 colleges are exploring or planning similar pathways. Lynch reported an estimated return on investment of $7–$10 for every $1 invested, with the higher figure measuring legislative dollars specifically.

Minnesota State requested recurring base funding — the presentation mentioned “$1,000,000 each year or $2,000,000” — to expand support for campuses implementing and sustaining Z degrees, develop a 0‑textbook transfer pathway (initial planning for a business transfer pathway was reported), provide instructional design and technology support for faculty developing high‑quality open materials, and increase access to paid library resources that cannot be shifted to open formats.

The system also reviewed student support programs funded in prior biennia: a centralized Basic Needs Resource Hub that has served more than 2,400 students (with a 90.7 percent positive experience rating), a partnership with Mantra Health providing telecounseling and on‑demand mental‑health services (more than 1,300 students engaged, with a goal to double that in spring 2025), and an emergency grant program launched in March 2024 that has disbursed more than $2.5 million to about 3,600 students (average grant just under $700). Sheppard said average application‑to‑approval time for emergency grants varies by campus but is about a week or less.

Committee members asked how Minnesota State raises awareness of the resources. Sheppard said outreach includes campus marketing strategies and targeted engagement with faculty and staff so trusted campus contacts can refer students to the services. Senator Umu Obin praised the programs and noted students’ dual responsibilities of work and school, saying the resources are responsive to what students told legislators.

Minnesota State leaders asked the committee to consider a base appropriation to sustain and expand the textbook affordability and student support work; they emphasized the programs’ demonstrated usage, demographic reach (with Pell‑eligible and first‑generation students using zero‑textbook offerings at equal or higher rates), and the need to maintain momentum rather than rely on one‑time funds.