CU Book Access: How It Works

Before the start of the fall and spring semester, all degree-seeking undergraduate students are enrolled in the CU Book Access program. This offers students the opportunity to explore the program benefits and their required materials. If a student does choose to opt out of the CU Book Access program, they will be able to select which digital materials or print materials when stocked, they wish to purchase on a material-by-material basis from the CU Book Store by choosing the Select Access program. The CU Book Store will offer all digital course material purchases directly through Canvas. Print books stocked by the CU Book Store can be purchased from the CU Book Store. Key participation dates will be shared leading up to the start of each semester and can viewed on the Important Dates page.


CU Book Access Program Benefits

Benefits to Students:

  • Immediate access to materials: Students are prepared to begin their courses by the first day of class. Perpetual access to course materials, as available by the publisher.
  • Predictable costs: A low flat rate reduces overall course materials costs when compared to traditional market prices, creating predictability for students. The flat rate is charged to their Student Tuition and Fee billed for maximum convenience.
  • Supports a sense of belonging and retention: Engagement with peers and faculty within Canvas and additional publisher resources reduces course attrition.

Benefits to Faculty:

  • Easy delivery of materials: Course materials are delivered in a digital-first method through the learning management system (Canvas), with non-digital materials picked up at the CU Book Store.
  • Preserves Academic Freedom: faculty have full academic freedom whether they are assigning paid publisher content or free resources, all course materials are available for adoption.
  • Enhanced insights: Faculty can use Canvas to gain greater insight into how students are engaging with materials.
  • No change in how materials are adopted.

Gaining Access and Using Your Course Materials

Digital

By the first day of classes, undergraduate students can access the required digital content/textbooks for any course through Canvas. Detailed instructions can be found on the Quick Start Guide for Students on the Get Help Page.

Physical Textbooks

If a course required physical textbooks, they will be picked up at the CU Book Store. Please check your CU Boulder email, you will receive an email when the books are ready to be picked up or this information can be found on your My Course Materials tab in Canvas. If you are unable to pick up your textbooks, please email assist@cubookstore.com for shipping options.


Participating in the Program

Undergraduates (degree-seeking):

  • Choosing to participate in the program is easy! Once materials become available in your Canvas account, you’ll have the opportunity to view all of the required materials and use them. No further action is required to participate. If you decide that the program does not meet your needs for the current semester, you may opt out prior to the opt-out deadline. View the student FAQs for more information.

Graduate and Continuing Education Students:

  • The first phase of the CU Book Access program will only include undergraduate degree-seeking students. Graduate and Continuing Education programs are incredibly diverse in scope, they may be included in future phases of the program.

Faculty:


Billing

Students will see the $269 (plus tax) flat-rate CU Book Access program charge on their Student Tuition and Fee billing statement for the fall and spring semesters. For more information, view the Frequently Asked Questions page and the Important Dates page.

If you’re receiving financial aid, you may need to authorize your aid so it can pay toward all charges on your bill. If it’s needed, it’ll show up as a to-do item in Buff Portal on your Financial Aid card. If you don’t have the to-do or it’s already completed, then you’re all set!