My routine with PIRG and shaping my capstone

As I work on the PIRG National Textbook Affordability Campaign, I have become more attuned to several structural inequalities within my community that directly impact textbook affordability. One significant inequality is the economic disparity among students. Many students come from low-income backgrounds and struggle to afford the high costs of textbooks, which can often exceed their budget for educational expenses. This economic inequality creates a barrier to accessing the necessary resources for academic success. Another structural inequality I have noticed is the lack of awareness and support for alternative textbook options. Traditional publishers dominate the market, and their textbooks come with exorbitant price tags. This monopoly limits the availability of affordable alternatives such as open educational resources (OERs) and used textbooks. Students who cannot afford new textbooks are left with limited options, hindering their ability to fully engage in their studies. Moreover, I have observed how systemic issues, such as racial and ethnic disparities, exacerbate these textbook affordability inequalities. Students from marginalized communities often face additional financial challenges due to historical and ongoing socio-economic disadvantages. This further restricts their access to textbooks, perpetuating the cycle of inequality.

In conclusion, working on the PIRG Textbook Affordability National Campaign has made me more aware of the structural inequalities present within my community. Economic disparities, limited awareness of alternative options, and racial and ethnic disparities all contribute to the exacerbation of textbook affordability inequalities. It is crucial to address these issues comprehensively to ensure equal access to affordable educational resources for all students.

For my Capstone Project, I want to examine the role of student advocates on campus. The capstone project aims to explore the role of student activism and advocacy in driving social change on college campuses. Recognizing the importance of student voices and their potential to bring about meaningful transformations, the project focuses on empowering student activists to create positive impacts within their communities.