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The basic public speaking course is an important general education course to majors and non-majors alike. However, students face increasing challenges related to the cost of education and materials which influence their engagement, retention, and ultimate success. Open educational resources (OER) can decrease costs and increase equitable access, yet standard textbooks remain in place for many communication departments. To garner student voices, the authors invited participants to share their feelings and opinions about textbooks as part of a larger survey study designed to measure the effectiveness of an OER pilot project. The authors collected qualitative data from a convenience sample of 275 undergraduate students enrolled in sections of the basic course. Findings indicate that students have positive attitudes towards OER and negative attitudes about textbook costs. Participants also made distinctions between the usefulness of major course materials when compared to general education course materials and that their money is better spent on their major. Based on study results, the authors present a rationale for the use of OER in general education courses.

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