CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – This summer, Austin Peay State University is partnering with Barnes & Noble on a new program to reduce the high cost of textbooks. Students and professors in 10 summer courses are participating in the Barnes & Noble College First Day™ program.
The program works by delivering required eBooks to a student’s online class shell once they are registered for a course. The eBook is added to the student’s tuition, giving access to the correct text on the first day of class.
“It’s simple reality for many students that they cannot afford their textbooks, and as a consequence these students must choose between buying the necessities of life or purchasing a very expensive textbook that often can be in excess of $200,” said Dr. Chad Brooks, APSU associate provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies.
By driving down the cost of course materials and ensuring day one access to necessary books, the First Day program hopes to improve students’ classroom success while relieving a financial burden. Students have the option to opt out of the First Day program, but Brooks has said those participating in the summer pilot will collectively save more than $10,000, with estimated savings of over $120,000 for the fall semester. Next year, he hopes to increase that number by expanding the program to the entire campus.
The University developed the pilot program earlier this year after Dr. Rex Gandy, APSU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, became concerned with the exorbitant cost of some college textbooks. Gandy created a textbook affordability taskforce, which met with both faculty and nationally recognized book vendors while working with the campus bookstore. The result of that committee’s work led to this summer’s First Day eBooks program.