Ideas, information and industry news for collegiate retailers

The campus store knows the importance of early adoptions and why adoption deadlines matter to the store and the students. It’s critical to start and continue conversations with faculty about the benefits of selecting course materials for the next term on-time.

Three Early Adoption Benefits

1. Students pay less for course materials
   Finding low-cost course material options for students takes time. Adoption deadlines give the bookstore the time it needs to provide students with more low-cost options, helping ensure everyone has affordable access to the materials that best fit their learning style.
   
   When adoptions are made by the established deadlines, the campus store can utilize multiple channels to get the best price on next term’s materials, including MBS for used books, sourcing books from the marketplace and offering the current term’s students better buyback rates.
   
   Additionally, on-time adoptions make inclusive and equitable access programs possible. Stores have to know which materials will be used the next term to ensure everything within the program comes together to provide students with lower costs and more convenience. Without that adoption commitment, it is impossible to provide students with the benefits of the access programs.
   
   
2. HEOA compliance is maintained
   Signed into law in August of 2008, HEOA is an extension of the original Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. It requires every higher learning institution in the United States that receives federal funding to disclose accurate course material information regarding ISBNs and retail prices. Such measures foster fair practice and transparency by allowing students to search for the most affordable textbook options. Early adoptions ensure the college store has time to stock low-cost materials that give students cost-saving opportunities.
   
   
3. There are fewer back orders
   Late adoptions and last-minute changes not only cost students more money, but they also lead to a scarce supply. Stores need time to find the requested materials and have them shipped — all of which takes time. Last minute changes often result in higher priced materials, higher shipping costs and delays in getting materials into student hands.

Use these three benefits to start conversations with faculty and campus stakeholders to explain why adoption deadlines should be respected and adhered to when possible.