Buzz
When tuition isn’t the only expense to worry about, college students often find themselves juggling a wide range of additional costs. Particularly during the first semester, these costs can be startling. One more to add to the list: digital access codes.
A report from the Student Public Interest Research Groups (Student PIRGs) reveals that many college courses now require students to purchase one-time digital access codes. These codes grant access to digital textbooks, assignments, study guides, and exams. The average cost for these codes is $100.24. Since they are single-use, sharing is not an option. Student PIRGs explains why this situation is problematic for students:
By making these access codes one-time use and personalized for each student, publishers prevent students from sharing or borrowing from others or the library if they can’t afford the code.
By bundling assignments and exams with access codes, publishers force every student in the course to purchase the product, effectively eliminating the possibility for students to opt out.
By shifting to digital textbooks, publishers can now control the supply, preventing the rise of used book markets.
The report suggests that this trend is a way for publishers to continue profiting from textbooks, especially when students look for ways to reduce costs. It’s important for students to be aware of this expense so they can plan their budgets accordingly. For the full report, follow the links below.
Photo by CUNY Academic Commons
