What is Book Smart?
Book Smart is a course material model that reduces the cost of materials for students and ensures they have all their materials across all courses before the first day of classes. Instead of purchasing materials a la carte, the cost will be included as a charge to their tuition. The bookstore will provide each student with a convenient package for physical books and digital materials will be delivered directly to Brightspace.
How does Book Smart benefit students?
Book Smart makes getting textbooks easier on students, which will ultimately improve their success. Students will receive their textbooks by the first day of class and save an average of 35 percent to 50 percent on textbooks.
How can faculty contribute to the success of the program?
Faculty contribute to the program's success by submitting their course material selections into the bookstore by the adoption deadline.
Adoption deadlines:
- March 1, Summer
- May 1, Fall
- Oct. 1, Winter/Spring
What is included in the program?
The program provides all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes and digital textbook versions to eligible students.
What is excluded from the program?
The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kids and culinary uniforms. Nursing is currently excluded from Book Smart.
How do students purchase if they decide not to be in the program?
Eligible students who have elected to opt out of the program will be responsible for purchasing their course materials through the bookstore.
How does BNC ensure students get their required course materials?
One month before classes start, students will receive an email instructing them to select their fulfillment preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly). An email notification will be sent when the student's order is ready for pickup or when it ships, and digital materials will be delivered for course(s) within Brightspace.
Will faculty have to change course materials being used?
No, there are no restrictions on the course materials you select for your course. All course materials, from any publisher, in your preferred format are included in the program.
Why not work directly with publishers?
Publishers do not have the ability to provide all the different formats of content that faculty request at the lowest price possible.
How can we be sure this will lower textbook costs for our students?
BNC is committed to lowering the costs of course material to our students, and with the company's integrated supply chain and economies of scale, the Book Smart program brings a new innovative way to provide the most affordable solution for our students.
Will students be able to keep their course materials once they complete the course?
Yes, the program provides students the option to purchase textbooks at a reduced rate during the return period.
What happens if a faculty member changes their course material adoption?
If a faculty member changes their course material adoption, faculty should notify the bookstore and the bookstore will ensure students receive corrected course materials.
What if my teaching assignment changes (e.g., I was scheduled to teach one course, but later assigned to another)?
The bookstore is committed to helping as they normally do in those situations. We will work to update the textbook adoption platform with the new materials.
What happens if a student drops/adds a course?
Student who add or drop a course are provided instructions for returning course materials, and provided delivery options for any new courses added.
What if students have questions or trouble accessing their digital course materials?
All students in the Book Smart program using digital materials should be directed to contact Bookstore Customer Care at bookstorecustomercare@bncollege.com for assistance.
Are faculty limited to the Open Education Resource options BNC has partnerships with?
Faculty can find low- or no-cost affordability solutions, recommended in line with relevant courses if there are no OER campus restrictions with course materials for their course.
If I adopt Open Education Resources or do not require a textbook, do my students still have to pay the fee?
Students will pay for the total number of credits taken a semester, not by the number of courses using the program. Students have the option to opt out for all classes in their term.
How do we ensure course materials in the Book Smart program are accessible to students with accommodations?
The bookstore can accommodate students with accessibility needs.