Textbook prices are on the rise and students realize that not obtaining the required course materials will affect their academic performance. There are many financial burdens students face while in college and they sometimes have to choose between purchasing textbooks or paying for food, rent, or other everyday necessities. While many colleges are working to utilize more OER (Open Educational Resources) as course material, the availability is limited for more advanced level courses. Lower cost alternatives are being provided more and more from publishers, but most of the time students don't utilize the same publishers across their various classes and students end up sharing textbooks, making copies of chapters, or just not acquiring the materials at all.

One big question can weigh on the minds of college administration and faculty at smaller institutions - how can we reduce the costs of textbooks without having the purchasing power to command lower prices? Even with the existence of online retailers who can offer significant savings, there is the additional struggle to make sure the materials students are using their hard earned money on are usable and effective.

Improved visibility, flexibility, and cost savings to benefit CSE faculty and students

With any educational institution, administration and faculty play a crucial role in ensuring students are prepared for the first day of class. The two groups must work together to build enough lead time ahead of class start dates so that faculty can then research, select, and share required and optional course material information with their students. This in turn allows students enough time to shop for the best prices - a necessary process for students to obtain affordable textbooks and be prepared to achieve success from the very start.

Akademos to manage course materials process through CSS online bookstore and benefit administration, faculty, and students

How do you compete effectively in the college textbook environment? A significant decline in bookstore sales for the past 5+ years has caused many university administrators to look at the campus bookstore model differently and re-examine its role in serving the student population. Course material needs are changing and books are being replaced with access codes, eBooks, and custom CoursePacks. Shoppers have more options, the convenience and price factors of eCommerce has helped sales grow 15% in the last year alone.  

New USD online bookstore meets the convenience and affordability needs of students while retail store supports student life

Student expectations are becoming increasingly challenging for administrators. When 1 in 3 freshmen do not return for their sophomore year, there is significant pressure to find strategies to successfully retain students. From the admissions process through graduation day, many institutions are looking for unique ways to serve the changing needs of their campus communities.

In a world where time is a commodity and the rate of inflation for education expenses has far surpassed that of health care, the idea of a traditional college experience is taking on a new dimension. The erratic economy over the past two decades has dictated the need for low-cost and innovative alternatives to higher education. This need coupled with the rise of a digital world has bred a college experience that can be specialized and completed from anywhere. Online programs allow students the opportunity to participate in class and complete coursework when it fits their schedule and at a price that is increasingly more affordable. More than three million students in the U.S. are currently pursuing a degree entirely online. This number is only expected to grow as student interest increases, institutions expand their online offerings, and employer acceptance of an online degree rises.

In an effort to make online education more affordable, we have seen an increase in accredited online-only universities. Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) was built to provide a best-in-class online university - making it their mission to remove the barriers to affordability and accessibility with a high-quality, faith-integrated education that is intentionally accessible, career-relevant, and committed to student success. Backed by over a century of experience in providing superior on-ground educational opportunities with Azusa Pacific University, LAPU is taking online education to the next level.