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.

All of your digital and print textbooks are displayed in your Student Portal or Bookshelf. To request a link to your Student Portal, enter your student ID and a link to your Student Portal will be emailed to your UC Davis email address.

In your Student Portal and Bookshelf, required textbooks will be displayed with icons indicating if the textbook is digital (computer screen icon), or print (open book with a bookmark) as illustrated below.

Required print textbooks may be picked up by students participating in the Equitable Access Program at the Campus Bookstore or shipped if you are unable to pick up your books in person. If you are in or near Davis and able to do so safely, we highly recommend that you pick up your books from the Campus Bookstore location beginning the week prior to the first day of class (please check store hours). Because shipping companies are currently experiencing delayed delivery times due to COVID-19, we recommend in-person pick-up if possible.

Yes, for certain materials. E-books that you read in Bookshelf may be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the Bookshelf app. You may also keep any physical textbooks you receive under Equitable Access. E-books that are a part of a homework manager or courseware are only usable for the quarter during which they were originally provided; unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.

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.

You are able to opt out anytime during the tuition payment process via your MyBill account starting February 22. The final date to opt out online through your MyBill account without being charged the Equitable Access fee for Spring 2021 is March 10. You may opt out from March 10- March 28 and receive a $199 refund. If you decide to opt out after March 28, please visit the Guest Services Counter at the main Campus Store or email [email protected] and a UC Davis Stores representative will assist you.

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 from [email protected] that contains a link to your Student Textbook Portal and will allow you opt out. After your opt out choice has been processed, you will receive a $199 credit in your student account called BKST Equitable Access Wavier. Opt out requests submitted prior to December 10 will be posted by December 15. Students who submit their opt out requests after December 10 will see their credit appear within 2-3 business days after opting out of the program. Please note however, that in some cases the credit may take up to 5 business days to appear in your account. If you do not receive your credit within 5 business days after submitting your opt out request, please send an email to [email protected] and a representative will assist you.

You can easily purchase individual digital textbooks and other digital course content within your Canvas Bookshelf. For courseware (depending on the platform) you may purchase an access code within Bookshelf or directly through the publisher.

UC Davis Stores will not be selling in-stock undergraduate print 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 print textbooks from the special order desk in the lower level of the Campus Bookstore at current retail prices.

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.

Yes. Prior to January 3 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 January 3, 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.

Students that need assistance with their Canvas or Bookshelf account may contact Vitalsource 24/7 via live chat or email.

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.

Faculty will always have full academic freedom under Equitable Access and the textbook adoption process will remain the same.

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.

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.