All students deserve to have access to the resources they need throughout their collegiate career, no matter their major. Some course materials models put students in a position of having to choose whether or not they can afford to purchase their required materials, creating inequity. Equitable Access offers a solution to the unpredictable costs of course materials and ensures financial barriers do not keep students from pursuing their collegiate goals.
At a Glance
Who Benefits
All Students Participate
Day one access to course materials for all students, in all courses, at one predictable price
All Course Materials Included
Course materials are delivered in a digital-first method through the learning management system, with non-digital materials shipped or picked up in store
Predictable Cost with One Flat Rate
A low flat rate can reduce overall course materials costs when compared to traditional market prices, creating predictability for students
Preserve Academic Freedom
Faculty have full academic freedom with Equitable Access: whether they are assigning paid publisher content or free resources, all course materials are available for adoption
Support Opt-Out
Students pay a flat rate each term for all their course materials and can opt out of Equitable Access at the program level
Students
Provides all course materials in a convenient, digital-first format at a predictable, low cost
Instructors
Provides academic freedom and students who are prepared to learn on day one
Administrators
Increases equity and reduces barriers to student success
Campus Stores
Supports the academic mission and keeps sales in the store
Publishers
Increases sales to enrollment
Institutions Leading the Way with Equitable Access
Learn how institutions implementing Equitable Access are increasing access to course materials and creating predictable costs for all students.
Want to know what it takes to implement Equitable Access? This guide explores the steps to establish a program, ways to socialize the model across campus, technology to power a digital-first delivery, and an implementation checklist.
Technology to Power Equitable Access
Our time-saving technology will help your institution manage the steps needed to create a superior student experience. Leverage our best-in-class technology to expand access, drive affordability and create convenience for students inside the learning management system.
Equitable Access Wins Gold
The team at Verba | VitalSource and UC Davis are the winners of a 2021 IMS Global Learning Impact Award for their Equitable Access program. UC Davis wanted to provide a solution to the unpredictable cost of course materials and help alleviate financial barriers that can prevent students from pursuing their learning goals. The team at Verba | VitalSource was honored to work with UC Davis to build this program and are grateful that an industry leader like IMS recognized these efforts with this prestigious award.
