Saving on textbooks is about to get easier for CU Boulder students. The CU Book Store is launching the CU Book Access program to increase affordability, convenience and equitable access to course materials.
CU Book Access, CU Boulder's equitable access course materials program, provides degree-seeking undergraduate students access to all of their required course materials by the first day of class for a one-time flat-rate price each semester.
The cost of the program for the 2023–24 academic year will be $279 each fall and spring semester, plus tax.
All eligible undergraduate students are automatically opted in to this program. Individual students may choose to opt out of the program by the drop deadline within any given semester.
CU Book Access allows students more choice when it comes to obtaining required materials, while simultaneously ensuring students have access to the materials they need on the very first day of class at a more affordable price, CU Book Store Director Jessica Carlsen explained.
“We know that retention and persistence outcomes are impacted when students struggle to purchase books at the beginning of the semester, so we’re delighted to increase equitable access to materials as well as support student success with this new program,” she said.
As with similar successful programs at Cornell University and UC Davis, on which CU Book Access is modeled, faculty at CU Boulder still determine which materials will be used in each class, ensuring academic freedom continues.
Working with key stakeholders across campus, including the Boulder Faculty Assembly, CU Student Government, Leeds School of Business graduate students and the Office of Data Analytics to ensure the program could meet student and faculty needs, the CU Book Store was well positioned to negotiate with top publishers to get the lowest possible pricing, Carlsen said. “We’re excited to pass those savings on to participating students.”
Program benefits include:
- Affordability and predictability: The flat semester rate of $279, plus tax, is lower than most students pay per semester, on average, and makes budgeting easier.
- Equity and student success: CU Book Access ensures all eligible students have access to required materials on day one. No student should have to choose between starting the semester strong with all materials in hand and other expenses (like rent and groceries.)
- Convenience: All digital-first materials are provided on or before the first day of class via Canvas, CU Boulder’s online learning platform. Digital formats provide easy-to-use navigation with enhanced functionality to support collaboration and studying. Should a particular class require print materials, students will receive an email letting them know they have a pickup at the CU Book Store.
- Sustainability: Digital materials eliminate thousands of textbooks from being printed and shipped to the campus each semester.
- Academic freedom: Faculty continue to determine materials for their classes, including Open Educational Resources and print-based materials in addition to digital materials.
- Choice: Students can opt out of CU Book Access by the drop deadline in any given semester.
The launch of CU Book Access is part of a series of measures the university has taken in recent years to make attaining a college degree more affordable. Other examples include CU’s tuition guarantee, the elimination of course and program fees and the expansion of CU Promise.
Visit the CU Book Access page for more information including frequently asked questions or email the CU Book Store.
