With the ongoing pandemic, students continue to be in situations where they may not have the financial means to purchase class materials.  It is one thing to have a textbook requirement that can be easily rented at the bookstore or through a third-party provider, but it is another thing to require students to purchase extra materials a week or two into the course.  These materials can cost anywhere from around $40 to over $100.  Sometimes this requirement comes even after the drop/add period ends, putting students in an unnecessary, difficult situation.

We are asking the department heads and professors at the University of Maryland to give full transparency of how much money the course materials will cost upfront.  We would like this information to be readily available for students on the Testudo course descriptions for the Spring 2022 registration period. 

This would likely be an easy addition for most professors to include on the Testudo schedule of classes, and it would have a large positive impact on the student body.  As we continue to make our way through these difficult times, this small accommodation could alleviate some of the financial stress students may have.