Various class books on wooden table.
Late in the spring 2022 semester, some Cornellians may have been startled by a notification announcing a new Academic Materials Fee for the next semester. However, students need not worry; Cornell claims the $225 fee will save students money and students can opt-out if they so choose. The automatic enrollment mechanism functions similarly to the digital textbook system instant-access through VitalSource, which students are already familiar with.
Students next year will be automatically enrolled in the new Academic Materials Program, granting them digital access to the textbooks required for their particular courses. A $225 fee will be charged to their bursar account, visible in July. Those who wish can opt-out on Canvas, where a button will appear on their dashboard beginning August 22nd. The last day to opt out is September 9th, which is also the add/drop deadline for classes.
According to Cornell, the program will make purchasing textbooks and other classroom supplies predictable, convenient, and affordable. Having a consistent, one time fee will allow students and parents to more easily budget for textbooks and course materials. Students will be able to obtain their textbooks online beginning on the first day of classes without any of the usual hassle of searching for textbooks. Further, the program eliminates the risk of accidental textbook mis-purchases or scams.
Cornell estimates that the program will save students about $210 per semester in textbook costs. Some studies estimate that textbooks cost on average between $450-$625 per semester, a cost that can vary widely and often causes issues for incoming students. These costs can affect students substantially. One nationwide study found most students preferred to avoid purchasing textbooks if possible, and 11% skipped meals to afford textbooks.
High materials cost can also influence what classes students take, with some choosing classes to minimize textbook costs. Cornell argues that the universal flat fee addresses this issue: “Students are free to explore their academic interests without having to weigh the costs of the associated course materials.
One oft-cited complaint is that college students are captive consumers in the textbook market. That is, they are assigned books to purchase by professors who have no incentive to select by price, essentially stripping students of their power to hold publishers accountable for prices. This allows publishers to keep inflating their prices with few ramifications. Additionally, publishers often engage in anti-competitive behavior, such as rapidly releasing updated editions of their textbooks in order to make previous versions unusable, so that they cannot be resold.
With the new Academic Materials program, Cornell takes on the costs of the individual textbooks, while students simply pay a flat fee. The switch gives Cornell an incentive to purchase based on price and Cornell will be better able to negotiate with publishers than individual students will. Given its massive purchasing power, and its ability to select alternative textbooks, Cornell can ensure that publishers no longer raise their prices with impunity.
In sum, the New Academic Materials Program has expanded the options available to students that need to purchase textbooks next semester, but students need not participate. While some students may not be affected by the change, many will likely find the textbook process less of a headache. Further, the switch may bring some accountability to the prices textbook publishers charge, as they must be wary of losing Cornell’s market en masse to competitors. The New Academic Materials Program simply gives students more choice, and should be a welcome development at Cornell.
