HSU Cowboy Access

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Cowboy Access is an innovative program that ensures all undergraduate students have affordable access to their required course materials by the first day of class. As a nationally-ranked private university for affordability, HSU is committed to removing financial barriers for students. This program strives to promote affordability, convenience, accessibility, and transparency across the HSU campus.

How does it work?

  1. Faculty provide their required course materials to the bookstore.
  2. Undergraduate students register for their courses, automatically enrolling them Cowboy Access and charging their student account.
  3. The bookstore prepares the student’s materials to have them ready by day one of class.
  4. Students and faculty access their digital materials directly in Canvas and physical materials from the bookstore.
  5. Faculty and students have all the correct, required materials and can begin learning on day one of class.

Benefits

  • Improves course material access, convenience, and affordability
  • Students save up to 60% on required course materials
  • Ensures all students are prepared with their materials by day one
  • Reduces student stress, unpreparedness, and need to wait in long lines with heavy textbooks
  • Maintains faculty’s academic freedom and allows teaching to begin day one
  • Encourages pricing transparency and student choice

Opt-Out

HSU students will be automatically enrolled in the Cowboy Access program, allowing them to receive immediate access to materials and foster a prepared and engaged learning environment starting on the first day of class. While we encourage students to stay enrolled, an opt-out option is available. Students can opt-out before the last day of the DROP/ADD period and will receive a full refund automatically. Check your school email for information on how to log in to the Opt-Out Portal and review the process and specific deadlines.

How does the program work?

Cowboy Access takes the hassle out of getting students’ course materials because costs are covered as part of the charges on their student account. This allows every enrolled student access to all required materials on or before the first day of class. Once they have selected their courses, their course list will be sent to the Campus Bookstore. The Campus Bookstore gets everything ready for them. All they need to do is check their school email for how to access their course materials for the term.

Who is participating in the program?

Your campus is participating in the Cowboy Access program to save students between 20-60% on required course materials! While all students are automatically enrolled, students have the opportunity to opt-out or opt back in during the drop-add period. Students who would like to review the option to opt-out of the program, please review the FAQ titled “Is the program required or can I opt-out of the program”.

How do students get their course materials?

Once the student registers for their courses, the bookstore will get everything ready for them! Students will receive confirmation emails sharing details to access digital materials in the learning management system. If the student has physical materials, the campus store will communicate with them when they can pick up these materials.

Program Benefits and Costs

What are the benefits to faculty?

There are many benefits to faculty, including:

  • No restraint on academic freedom as instructors choose their content
  • Knowing students have the correct book edition and can begin teaching on day one.
  • Students come to class prepared and can begin homework assignments on day one of class.
  • Ability to deliver digital materials directly in the campus LMS.

What are the benefits to students?

There are many benefits to students, including:

  • 20-60% lower than equivalent pricing for course materials.
  • Deferred student billing direct to student accounts.
  • Course materials available day one with no waiting in line with heavy books.
  • Digital platforms offer key features such as: highlighting, flash cards & note-sharing, leading to greater success in the course.
  • Reduced stress related to finding and purchasing the correct course materials.

Will students save money?

Yes! Students can save between 20-60% based on savings at other schools and thanks to the campus store relationships with publishing partners and bulk purchasing power. The program also reduces student stress during the purchasing process and provides a method to easily access, manage and use all course materials regardless of format or cost.

Materials

What type of materials will students receive?

Depending on their classes and the course materials required by the faculty, they may receive a combination of digital course materials, printed textbooks, printed lab manuals, or workbooks.

  • Digital Course Materials: If you are receiving digital course materials through Cowboy Access, they will be automatically available in Canvas once the course officially begins. If you drop the course from your schedule on or before the last day of the DROP/ADD period for this term (check the academic calendar here: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/academic-resources/academic-calendar/) your account will automatically be fully refunded.
  • Physical Course Materials: If you are receiving print materials, you will receive an email confirming that your materials are ready for pickup and information on how to have your materials shipped if preferred. For in-store pickup, please bring your Student ID to the online order pickup area at the HSU Bookstore to collect your course materials.

How often are materials supplied?

Required materials are supplied at the beginning of each term. The materials will be accessible on or before the first day of class. Students should continue to check their school email from noreply@follett.com before the start of each term.

Can students have my printed learning materials shipped to them?

Yes! For printed materials, students will receive an email when the materials are ready for pick-up in-store, or students can choose to have them shipped at an additional cost. Students should contact their campus store at bookstore@hsutx.edu and/or (325) 670-1322 for details.

Do students get to keep their materials at the end of each term?

Printed materials are theirs to keep at the end of each term. Digital materials can be accessed for a minimum of 180 days and may be available for longer period of time based on the material adopted and the publisher’s terms.

Can students choose if they want print or digital materials?

Print or digital format is determined based on the adopted material for the specific course prior to the start of class. Students should check with their faculty member to see what format has been chosen for that course.

If it is a digital version, students can contact the HSU Bookstore for available print options.

If a student has a qualified disability requiring print versions or other accommodations, they should contact Accessibility Services for more information.

Are recommended course materials included in the Access program?

Only materials identified by the faculty as “required” are included in the Cowboy Access program. All “recommended” materials will be available for purchase separately at the HSU Bookstore.

Opting-Out

Is Cowboy Access required, or can students opt-out of the program?

While all students are automatically enrolled in the Access program, students may choose to opt-out and are then responsible for finding/purchasing their materials independently. Students must take action to opt-out of the program.

How do students opt-out/do they need to opt out each term?

All students are automatically included in the Cowboy Access program; however, students may opt-out of the program during specified opt-out periods. Students will have the option to opt out of Cowboy Access at the start of each term. To opt-out:

  • Students should check their school email for information on how to login to the Opt-Out Portal and review the process and specific deadlines. The email will come from bookstore@hsutx.edu, so students may need to check spam or junk folders.

For all other questions, students should contact their campus store at bookstore@hsutx.edu and/or (325) 670-1322 for information on how to opt-out.

What are the opt-out dates for this academic year?

All students are automatically included in Cowboy Access; however, students may opt-out of the program during the following opt-out before the 8th class day of each term (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer).

What if a student opted-out by mistake or changed their mind?

If the opt-out period has not ended, students can opt back in by going to the opt-out portal and choosing “Opt-In”. They can login to the opt-out portal by clicking an opt-out link provided by the school or by checking their school email for the link to the opt-out portal.

Adding/Dropping/Incomplete Courses

What if a student adds or drops a course?

If a student adds or drops a course, that information is automatically transmitted to the bookstore.

  • Added courses: Within 24 hours of adding a course, students will receive an email at their school email address with details to access their digital materials and/or materials are provisioned directly into the LMS. For printed materials, students will receive an email to their school email address letting them know when the new print materials are ready for pick-up.
  • Dropped courses: For courses dropped prior to the last day to drop/add/opt-out deadline, access to electronic or digital materials will be automatically disabled. Printed materials must be returned to the campus bookstore.

What if students get an incomplete grade in a course and need additional time to access course materials?

If that course includes printed material, that material is the student’s to keep. If that course includes digital material, the length of access is dependent on those specific materials. Please contact the HSU Bookstore at bookstore@hsutx.edu and/or (325) 670-1322 for details.

I have questions that were not answered in these FAQs. Where can I get more information?

Any additional questions, please contact your campus store team at bookstore@hsutx.edu and/or (325) 670-1322.