Eastern Arizona College (EAC), a two-year, public institution prioritized equity, service, and convenience when they partnered with Akademos as their online bookstore platform. The school serves approximately 4,500 students and offers associate degree and certificate options at their multiple campus locations.

There is a noticeable shift in conversations happening in higher education right now. Creative ideas around recruiting and retaining students can help institutions stand out among the thousands of choices today’s students have in front of them. 

Students continue to struggle to afford the materials that are so critical to their success. The data from recent studies is confirming that there is a clear connection between access to course materials and student success.

On this month’s live webinar, Every Textbook on Day One: An Untapped Student Success Tool, a panel packed with industry experts discussed the transformative power of cost-saving textbooks and course material delivery programs, including Inclusive and Equitable Access. 

Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC), a public, state-supported two-year institution introduced Equitable Access to support their students in the Fall 2022 semester and reduce the cost of textbooks. Equitable Access is an up-and-coming course material delivery model that allows students to access their materials on the first day of class for one low course material fee.

Melissa McMahon, Vice President for Business Affairs at WOSC said, “We have made a commitment to our students to find strategies that combat the rising costs of textbooks. Launching the new textbook delivery model is expected to drastically lower the costs of materials, while still allowing full academic freedom so faculty can continue to decide their course texts.”

By bundling course materials with a course material fee, students at WOSC are provided with affordable course materials and can arrive in class prepared on the first day. Under their Equitable Access model, students will no longer need to make separate purchases, pay for additional shipping fees, or risk ordering the wrong textbooks prior to the semester's start.

Students desire cost savings and convenience. Faculty desire flexibility and academic freedom. But above all, everyone wants to see students succeed. Inclusive Access is transforming learning by enabling students to easily access affordable textbooks and more from the first day of class.

New full-service, online bookstore gives students convenient access to low-cost course materials