Resolution of the Academic Senate on the Seawolf Bundle
Whereas the Seawolf Bundle is currently implemented as an “opt-out” system, which automatically enrolls students unless they take active steps to opt out, a process that many students report as unclear and challenging; and
Whereas opt-out systems, according to behavioral economics research, exploit inertia and other cognitive biases, effectively steering students toward enrollment without fully informed consent, particularly impacting new students who may be unaware of the process; and
Whereas the Seawolf Bundle charges a flat rate to all enrolled students, irrespective of individual course material costs, resulting in students from low-cost classes or majors subsidizing the textbook costs of students in higher-cost programs, a structure which disproportionately burdens students in fields that do not require costly course materials; and
Whereas the Seawolf Bundle’s flat-rate pricing undermines the efforts of faculty who strive to make courses affordable through zero-cost or low-cost materials, as students enrolled in the Bundle pay the same rate regardless of whether or not a course utilizes free resources, thereby removing incentives for faculty to adopt more affordable materials; and
Whereas the bookstore has consistently been unable to provide adequate stock of textbooks to meet student demand in the initial weeks of the semester, leaving students, who have already paid for these materials via the Seawolf Bundle, forced to either forego necessary materials, pay again to obtain them from alternate sources, or face academic disadvantages due to delayed access; and
Whereas Sonoma State University’s core value of social justice is contradicted by the Seawolf Bundle’s structure, which exploits predictable student decision-making patterns in a way that benefits a for-profit bookstore vendor, creates cross-subsidization across student populations, and weakens the pursuit of educational equity.
Therefore, be it hereby
Resolved that the Faculty Senate formally opposes the continuation of the Seawolf Bundle in its current opt-out format and urges the Division of Administration and Finance to consider its elimination as soon as contractually and practicably possible; and
Be it Further Resolved that if the Seawolf Bundle cannot be promptly eliminated, it should, at a minimum, be restructured into an opt-in system, requiring active enrollment by students to ensure informed consent; and
Be it Further Resolved that in the interim, the Division of Administration and Finance and bookstore should address the documented issues with textbook availability to ensure that students who have paid for materials through the Bundle are able to obtain them in a timely manner without incurring additional costs; and
Be it Further Resolved that the Faculty Senate encourages all departments and faculty to continue their efforts to adopt zero-cost or low-cost materials where possible, upholding the university’s commitment to equitable and affordable education, and that the Division of Academic Affairs work to support these efforts.
Be it Finally Resolved that copies of this resolution be distributed to the university President, Provost, Vice President of Administration and Finance, Associated Students, and all faculty, affirming the faculty’s commitment to an educational experience that is accessible, equitable, and transparent for all students.