STARTING FALL 2020
UC Davis Stores is launching Equitable Access in Fall 2020
It’s a revolutionary program that will provide every UC Davis undergraduate student access to their course materials by the first day of class, all for $199 per quarter.
How It Works
Designed To Solve For
INEQUITY
The cost of course materials varies widely by major, creating significant inequity among students.
COST
High textbook prices force many students to forgo purchasing course materials, negatively affecting academic outcomes.
ACCESS
Students arrive on campus with nearly everything they need - except their course materials.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid for textbooks is based on a campuswide average; many students are left to cover significant remaining costs.
CONFUSION
Finding digital and traditional course materials from multiple sources creates confusion and takes up valuable time at the start of each quarter.
What UC Davis Students Are Saying
“Equitable Access takes a huge weight off my shoulders. I won't have to pick and choose which textbooks I can afford—I’ll have instant access to all of my textbooks for one low, fixed price. I feel lucky to attend a university that is fighting for education equity and striving to simply do better.”
Gracey H
Global Disease Biology
“As a first-generation and low-income student, I would appreciate access to the same educational resources as every other student. Equitable Access will give students in every academic major and from every socioeconomic background the same opportunities to achieve their fullest academic potential.”
Alexandra O
Political Science
“By reducing and equalizing the cost of textbooks, Equitable Access will allow students to pursue whatever major they want. Financial barriers don’t need to keep students from pursuing their dreams.”
Tanner G
Psychology/Sociology
Equitable Access is designed to reduce inequity among students by eliminating course material access issues, while ensuring that costs are predictable and equal for all undergraduate students.
Student FAQ
View the Faculty FAQ
Can I opt out of Equitable Access?
Yes. You can choose to opt out each quarter. However, if you choose to opt out you will need to purchase your textbooks at current retail or resale prices either by special ordering from the Bookstore or from an outlet of your choice.
What is the deadline to opt out of Equitable Access?
You are able to opt out anytime during the tuition payment process via your MyBill account starting August 15. The final date to opt out online through your MyBill account for the Fall 2020 quarter is September 10. After September 10, please visit the Guest Services Counter at the main Campus Store or email [email protected] and a UC Davis Stores representative will assist you.
How do I opt out of Equitable Access?
You can opt out on your MyBill Student Accounting page. Click the Equitable Access link on the left side of the screen in the “Announcements” section. You will then be directed to a webpage where you will enter your student ID. After clicking the Submit button, you will receive an email that contains a link to your Student Textbook Portal and will allow you opt out. Once your opt out choice has been processed, you will receive a $199 credit in your student account.
If I choose to opt out of Equitable Access, how do I purchase my textbooks?
UC Davis Stores will not be selling in-stock undergraduate textbooks to those who have opted out of the Equitable Access program; those books have been purchased at lower prices based on the subscription model per our contract with the publishers. However, you can special order textbooks from the Bookstore at current retail prices.
What about lab manuals and readers?
Custom faculty-created lab manuals and readers from Reprographics will still be sold at the Bookstore; these are included in Equitable Access and may also be purchased individually by those who have opted out of the program.
If I opt out but change my mind can I re-enroll in Equitable Access?
Yes. Prior to September 10 you can return to your Student Textbook Portal by using the link provided in the email you received when you opted out. Once you are in your Student Textbook Portal simply click the button to opt back in. Your student MyBill account will be charged $199. If you would like to opt back in after September 10, simply visit the Guest Services Counter at the main Campus Store and pay the $199 Equitable Access charge. You can also email [email protected] to request to opt back in to the program and a UC Davis Stores representative will assist you.
Are graduate students part of the Equitable Access pilot program?
The first year of the Equitable Access pilot program will only include undergraduate students. Our goal is to be able to include graduate students in the future.
Will Equitable Access affect textbook selection?
Faculty will always have full academic freedom under Equitable Access and the textbook adoption process will remain the same.
Will all textbooks be digital under Equitable Access?
Digital textbooks are the default option. Traditional textbooks will only be supplied when a digital option is not available. Lab manuals and other course materials that are traditionally printed will remain the same.
What do I do if I need an academic accommodation due to a disability?
We have worked closely with the Student Disability Center (SDC) during the development of Equitable Access. If you have questions about accessibility and using digital content or need an academic accommodation please contact the SDC for assistance.
How do students benefit from paying the same textbook cost, regardless of major?
All UC Davis students pay the same rate for tuition, fees, and health insurance, regardless of major, but financial inequity has remained when it comes to textbooks and other course materials costs. By modeling the textbook charge after other costs of attendance, Equitable Access will reduce this financial inequity so that every student has access to the same academic opportunities, regardless of the field in which they choose to study.
Media Coverage
May 8, 2020
An employee’s experience as a student helps illustrate why the UC Davis Stores decided to put two years of effort into developing an expanded version of inclusive access called “equitable access.”
An employee’s experience as a student helps illustrate why the UC Davis Stores decided to put two years of effort into developing an expanded version of inclusive access called “equitable access.”
January 8, 2020
Textbooks and supplies for one year at UC Davis cost about $1,136. A new program seeks to revolutionize how students get and pay for course materials — and it could halve that annual price tag.
Textbooks and supplies for one year at UC Davis cost about $1,136. A new program seeks to revolutionize how students get and pay for course materials — and it could halve that annual price tag.
September 12, 2019
Publishing sales reps work with faculty members to try to convince them that their textbook is the best one. From there, faculty decide what books to require, but the students are the ones who actually open their wallets to pay for them.
Publishing sales reps work with faculty members to try to convince them that their textbook is the best one. From there, faculty decide what books to require, but the students are the ones who actually open their wallets to pay for them.
September 9, 2019
Jason Lorgan, Executive Director of Campus Recreation, Memorial Union and UC Davis Stores at University of California, Davis, joined the podcast to talk about the “principal-agent” problem and how they’re attempting to solve for it at UC Davis with a flat-fee textbook model.
Jason Lorgan, Executive Director of Campus Recreation, Memorial Union and UC Davis Stores at University of California, Davis, joined the podcast to talk about the “principal-agent” problem and how they’re attempting to solve for it at UC Davis with a flat-fee textbook model.
September 4, 2019
A few months ago, the University of California, Davis made the news when it was announced that the campus will soon be trying out a relatively new model of textbook and course-material provision.
A few months ago, the University of California, Davis made the news when it was announced that the campus will soon be trying out a relatively new model of textbook and course-material provision.
August 28, 2019
As they start a new school year, college students usually come to campus knowing their tuition and room and board costs. The big unknown is the often-hefty cost of textbooks.
As they start a new school year, college students usually come to campus knowing their tuition and room and board costs. The big unknown is the often-hefty cost of textbooks.
August 5, 2019
We are entering a period of real disruption in the textbook publishing industry, as the major textbook publishers are finding out that their strategy of continuously raising prices isn’t working anymore.
We are entering a period of real disruption in the textbook publishing industry, as the major textbook publishers are finding out that their strategy of continuously raising prices isn’t working anymore.
June 18, 2019
A health-insurance model aims to bring ‘equitable access’ to textbooks. Textbook news is everywhere these days. Last month Cengage and McGraw-Hill said they would merge and Wiley bought Knewton. And last week the State University of New York announced a major expansion of its relationship with Lumen Learning, a company that promotes the use of open educational resources.
A health-insurance model aims to bring ‘equitable access’ to textbooks. Textbook news is everywhere these days. Last month Cengage and McGraw-Hill said they would merge and Wiley bought Knewton. And last week the State University of New York announced a major expansion of its relationship with Lumen Learning, a company that promotes the use of open educational resources.
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