John Merrifield, Ph.D.

Merrifield has replaced the former $200 textbook in all sections of his ECO 2023 Microeconomics course with Principles of Microeconomics from OpenStax. OpenStax, a nonprofit affiliated with Rice University, works directly with faculty subject matter experts and funders like the Hewlett Foundation to create peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks that are free for students. 

More from Merrifield: 

“It's very difficult to implore our students to find study time when, at the same time, we impose nearly $200 per course textbook. Open education resource savings increase access to higher education and reduce student debt burdens that carry forth when they leave us.”