
Instant Access Complete
What is the Instant Access Complete?
Instant Access Complete is a new program that provides students with affordable access to course materials by the first day of classes.
Students are automatically enrolled and charged one flat fee for all required course materials for all classes.
Starting in Fall 2023, Instant Access Complete will be available for all courses with required materials. The charges for students are set at:
- $250 per semester for undergraduate students*
- $150 per semester for graduate students
These charges cover access to 100% of required course materials, including faculty-created materials, open educational resources, and library e-books.
Materials will be provided automatically via Canvas in digital format whenever possible, with physical books when necessary.
While participation in Instant Access Complete is not mandatory, all students are automatically enrolled and can choose to opt out until the end of the drop-add period if they prefer.
*Part-time undergraduate student rates tbd
STUDENTS - INSTANT ACCESS COMPLETE FAQ 2023
Q: What is the Instant Access Complete Program?
- The Instant Access Complete program exists to ensure all Cal Poly Pomona students have all the course materials they need to succeed every semester. One flat charge each semester grants access to the required textbooks/homework systems required for all classes a student is registered in.
Q: What does Instant Access Complete cost, and how/when do I pay?
- For the 2023-2024 school year, the charge is $250 per semester for undergraduate students/$150 per semester for graduate students.
- This charge is automatically billed to every registered student’s Bronco account before the semester starts, but payment is not due until the semester census date.
Q: Will all textbooks be digital under Instant Access Complete?
- Whenever possible, materials will be provided digitally, but physical books will be provided when necessary.
Q: How do I access my digital textbooks if I am participating in Instant Access Complete?
- The digital textbooks and course materials will be automatically provided via Canvas whenever possible.
- For externally hosted materials links will be provided in Canvas.
Q: How can I find out if my textbooks are digital or print format?
- 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 CPP email address.
Q: Will Instant Access Complete allow me to retain access to my course materials after a course ends?
- For certain materials, yes, for others the access will expire after a set period. Many of the digital textbooks in Bookshelf may be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the Bookshelf app.
- Digital textbooks that are a part of a homework manager or courseware are only usable for the semester during which they were originally provided; unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.
- You may also keep any physical textbooks you receive under Instant Access Complete so long as you stay enrolled in the program and the course. If you opt out of Instant Access Complete or drop the course, you’ll need to return the books.
Q: Can I opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- Yes, you can opt out through the end of the drop-add period each semester if you prefer. 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.
Q: How do I opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- You will see an ‘Opt Out’ button in your Student Portal or in Canvas. Clicking on that will opt you out of all materials for that semester.
- If you have any trouble opting out, please send an email to FDNIA@CPP.EDU with your student ID in the body of the email and the words "opt out" in the subject line, and we will be happy to take care of it for you.
Q: What is the deadline to opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- The deadline to opt out of Instant Access Complete is midnight of the 2nd business day after the last day to drop classes without a W. The specific date for each semester will be posted to our IAC page and included in emails regarding the program.
Q: What can I expect after I opt out?
- After opting out, you will need to purchase your textbooks and course materials individually.
- Access to your digital materials will be revoked after the last day to opt out.
- You will need to return any print materials you received.
- The Instant Access Complete charge will be credited back to your Bronco account and applied to any payments already made. Student Accounts & Cashier services will disburse any refund due to you after the end of drop/add.
Q: How do I purchase my digital textbooks if I choose to opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- You can purchase your digital textbooks through the Bronco Bookstore or other retailers.
Q: How do I purchase my print textbooks if I choose to opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- You can purchase your print textbooks through the Bronco Bookstore or other retailers. Bronco Bookstore is happy to special order print books on request.
Q: What about lab manuals and readers?
- Lab manuals and readers will be included in the Instant Access Complete program. You may pick them up in person at Bronco Bookstore or have them shipped to you for a nominal shipping fee.
Q: If I opt out but change my mind, can I re-enroll in Instant Access Complete?
- Yes, through the end of the opt out/in period. After the last day passes your choice is final.
Q: How do I get help if I have a question about Canvas or accessing an e-book in Bookshelf?
- For VitalSource e-texts, you can request support at https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
- For publisher online homework systems, either contact their support, or email a screenshot of the problem you are encountering to FDNIA@CPP.EDU and our staff will contact the publisher on your behalf.
Q: Are graduate students part of the Instant Access Complete pilot program?
- Yes, graduate students are part of the Instant Access Complete program.
Q: Will Instant Access Complete affect textbook selection?
- No, faculty will continue to select the required course materials.
Q: What do I do if I need an academic accommodation due to a disability?
- We work closely with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to ensure students can access materials. If you have questions about accessibility and using digital content or need an academic accommodation, please contact the DRC for assistance.
Q: How do students benefit from paying the same textbook cost, regardless of major?
- All CPP students pay the same rate for tuition, fees, and health insurance, regardless of major. By modeling the IAC charge after other costs of attendance, this program ensures that every student has access to the same academic opportunities, regardless of the field in which they choose to study.
Q: Am I required to return my printed textbooks?
- If not returned or shipped back to Bronco Bookstore by the 25th day after the first day of classes for the semester, the replacement cost for outstanding textbooks will be billed to your student account.
FACULTY - INSTANT ACCESS COMPLETE FAQ 2023
Q: What is the Instant Access Complete Program?
- The Instant Access Complete program exists to ensure all Cal Poly Pomona students have all the course materials they need to succeed every semester. One flat subscription charge each semester grants access to the required textbooks/homework systems required for all classes a student is registered in. For Fall 2023 the charge will be $250.
Q: What are the benefits of Instant Access Complete?
- All instructors can be sure their students can begin learning on day one, because IAC+ will provide all students with access to their required course materials before the start of classes. And students who opt out still can keep that access through the add/drop date so they won’t be without materials if they are waiting for delivery from another source. The program provides our Bronco students and their families with predictable pricing which allows them to budget for their course materials semester to semester.
Q: What course materials are included in the program?
- Instant Access Complete will deliver any required course materials with an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) as well as course readers/manuals produced on campus. Courseware and online participation management tools such as Perusall, TopHat etc and OER materials are also included, and books/ebooks from smaller companies who might not assign ISBNs.
- Course supplies such as lab coats, goggles, art supplies, scantrons, examination books, etc. are not included in IAC+ at this time and can be purchased from Bronco Bookstore.
Q: Will Instant Access Complete affect textbook selection or academic freedom?
- No. Faculty retains full academic freedom to select required course materials for their courses under Instant Access Complete. Whether you are assigning paid publisher content or free resources, all of your textbooks/materials remain available for adoption. However, the default format for all adoptions will be digital unless no digital option is available. Print copies will be stocked for those adoptions where digital options are not available.
Q: How do I adopt content?
- There is no change to the current process. You will adopt content through the Collect Adoption tool via the personalized link that is emailed to you. If you do not already have access to Collect or haven’t received your link, you can request access by emailing the Bronco Bookstore Textbook team at textbooks@cpp.edu.
Q: I use content from resources other than a textbook publisher, such as Bronco Copy & Mail/Graphics Services, third party software, a library resource, OER, etc. Can I continue to do so?
- Yes. You are free to continue to use the same content as previous terms. For Graphics Services/Bronco Copy & Mail content, there is no change to the current process. You will adopt your content through Connect and we will either provide it digitally via VitalSource or arrange with Graphics to produce print copies. For course readers including copyrighted material we will secure any necessary permissions.
- For third party software, use the “Comments Field” on the Collect Adoption tool to provide the student link for display in the Bookshelf e-reader that will be seen by the students.
- For a library resource, use the “Comments Field” on the Collect Adoption tool to list the material being used. If you have the library link, please provide that in the same “Comments Field.” If you do not have the link, please specify that in the comments and the Bronco Bookstore Textbook team will work with the Library to acquire it.
- For OER content, use the “Comments Field” on the Collect Adoption tool to provide the free link to the OER content, which will be displayed in the Bookshelf e-reader that will be seen by the students.
Q: My Class only uses OER materials, do students still need to pay the subscription charge my class?
- Likely yes - It depends on what other materials are assigned for your students’ other courses. All students will need to decide what is going to be best for them and all the classes they are taking, and we will help them look up their a la carte costs so they can make that decision.
We encourage the adoption of OER because it will help lower the price of Instant Access Complete to all students. We will proactively opt out students whose course load consists entirely of courses with no required materials or only OER materials.
Q: Digital course materials are not suitable for my course. How can my students participate in this program? Will exceptions be made to accommodate print?
- We realize that a one-size-fits-most model may not meet the needs of every course format, curricula, or mode of instruction. However, providing course materials digitally whenever possible is the best way to meet the program’s goals of automating course materials delivery to students and keeping the program as affordable as possible. In instances when there is a true pedagogical mismatch (not just a preference) where the required course materials are impractical or unfeasible print options can be considered on an individual title by title basis.
Additionally, if adopted titles are out-of-print, old editions or hard-to-find, the program may not be able to provide copies in any format unless copyright permission can be obtained to either print copies with Graphics or upload a digital copy to VitalSource. Faculty who adopt books with newer editions available digitally are strongly encouraged to adopt the current edition. Please contact the program if you wish to review the status of your required course materials textbooks@cpp.edu.
Q: How do I get a desk copy?
- This process remains unchanged. You will reach out to your publisher representative to request a desk copy. When you speak to your publisher representative, ask them about the Vital Source Faculty Sampling Service.
Q: How do students access digital materials in the Instant Access Complete program?
- To access the digital content/textbooks for any their course, students simply log in to Canvas with their student credentials and click on the Course Materials navigation option. This will bring up a dashboard showing students all their required materials. Depending on the textbook or content type, students may find additional access information about each item by clicking on notes or attachments. For non-digital materials, students can pick them up at Bronco Bookstore at the start of the semester, or place an order through the store’s website to request that the book/s be shipped to them for a nominal shipping charge.
Watch this video from Cornell for an example of what it looks like in Canvas: https://verbasoftware.wistia.com/medias/p4cdggbs0y
Q: Do I need to use Canvas for instruction?
- Courses are not required to use Canvas for instruction in order to participate in Instant Access Complete. All courses will have a Canvas shell created, and Canvas is a single access point for students to access their course materials. Faculty do not need to use Canvas in an instructional capacity but the shell must be published.
Q: Do I have to change how I set up my course?
- If you use publisher proprietary courseware make sure you check with your publisher rep on set-up to ensure students don’t encounter a paywall. If you have already been part of our Instant Access program the process will be the same as now. Just make sure to leave the “Course Materials” navigation option active, don’t hide it.
Q: If I cancel my adoption, will my students still get charged?
- Instant Access Complete is a flat-rate, term-level subscription program that covers all required textbooks for every student. The fee is not based on individual classes. Therefore, if you decide to cancel an adoption - or add an adoption - for your class there is no additional cost or reduction to the student.
Q: Can my students opt out? How do they do so?
- Yes, students can choose to opt out each quarter. Please view the Student FAQ on the main Instant Access Complete page for complete details on the opt-out process.
Q: How do students purchase digital textbooks if they choose to opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- Students can easily purchase individual digital textbooks and other digital course content within their Canvas Bookshelf, at broncobookstore.vitalsource.com or from Bronco Bookstore’s price comparison website.
For courseware (depending on the platform) students may purchase an access code within Bookshelf or directly through the publisher.
Q: How do students purchase print textbooks if they choose to opt out of Instant Access Complete?
- Bronco Bookstore will not be selling in-stock undergraduate print textbooks that are being provided as part of the IAC program to those who have opted out of the program; those copies have been purchased at lower prices based on the subscription model per our contract with the publishers. However, students can search for print options on our price comparison/shopping site and/or special-order print textbooks from the Book Information counter on the 2nd floor of Bronco Bookstore at regular retail price.
Q: Do students participating in Instant Access Complete retain access to their textbooks after a course ends?
- Yes, for certain materials. E-texts that students read in Bookshelf can be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the Bookshelf app. Students may also keep any physical textbooks they receive under Instant Access Complete. E-books that are a part of a homework manager or courseware are only usable for the semester during which they were originally provided; unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.
Q: How do I get help if I have a question about accessing Bookshelf in Canvas for my courses?
- Please reach out to us in the Bronco Bookstore Course Materials Department or contact us via email and a representative will assist you.
Q: Where do I go if I'm having trouble with VitalSource?
- If you are having trouble with VitalSource you should visit https://success.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001923213-Instructors for helpful articles and FAQs, or start a support ticket at: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Q: Where do I go if I’m having trouble with CengageNow/MindTap/WebAssign?
- If you are having trouble with a Cengage product, please visit https://cengage.force.com/s/login/
Q: Where do I go if I'm having trouble with Pearson MyLab, Mastering or Revel?
- If you are having trouble with a Pearson product, please visit Pearson Support (https://support.pearson.com/getsupport/s/contactsupport). On this page, you can search articles to resolve common issues. If you would like to speak to a tech support agent and open a case , choose Contact Us in the upper right corner of the page.