Five Ways Affordable Access Benefits Students and Institutions

Studies show that affordable access programs, such as inclusive and equitable access, improve the student experience — providing more convenient and affordable access to course materials. During a recent Barnes & Noble College webinar, Rob Johnson, Director of Sustainability & Auxiliary Services, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and Bill Koch, Associate Vice Chancellor, Campus Safety & Auxiliary Services, East Carolina University (ECU), shared their reasons for implementing BNC’s equitable access program, First Day® Complete, in fall 2024. Watch the full webinar here.

For NOVA and ECU, five key First Day Complete benefits were instrumental in the decision to launch the program.

1. IMPROVING STUDENT OUTCOMES & SUCCESS
   Rob Johnson: “What students really care about is how they’re going to succeed in that program. And if we can remove the barrier for them to get their course materials, then they’ll be better off whether they know it or not coming in.”
   
   Having access to all course materials on or before the first day of class ensures that students are well-prepared and ready to succeed. In the 2024 First Day Complete Success Survey*, 81% of students agreed that the program had a positive impact on their success.
   
2. IMPROVING STUDENT AFFORDABILITY
   Participating students save between 35-50% across their academic journey on the cost of required textbooks and digital materials, giving them a significant financial advantage. 77% of students said the program provided more affordable course materials*.
   
3. SIMPLIFYING COURSE MATERIAL ACCESS
   Bill Koch: “We decided to go with First Day Complete for a variety of reasons. Greenville, North Carolina, where we’re located is a small city, typical college town, vibrant economy, whether it’s industrial or certainly educational. But we’re also a medical hub for a 29-county area in the eastern region of North Carolina. So people rely on us from the rural areas for that level of service and educational needs. And it’s predominantly an underserved population, lower income. So access is huge for us to be able to serve our region, which is one of our primary goals.”
   
   Students save time and reduce stress with one-stop-access to bundled course materials. They start the semester confidently and fully equipped to excel. 91% of students said it was convenient to have course materials bundled and delivered through the program and that the program saved them time*.
   
4. SUPPORTING THE ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
   Rob Johnson: “We said we’re all in and we’re going to do First Day Complete because it does allow faculty that complete, and I am going to say complete, academic freedom.”
   
   Faculty maintain full academic freedom to select the print or digital materials that best suit their class needs. First Day Complete also provides cost savings that are available to all students. Any students can participate, not just those in specific departments or course that might be taking advantage of an inclusive access program.
   
5. INCREASING MARKET RELEVANCE & STUDENT RETENTION
   Bill Koch: “We need to be ahead of the curve in that competitive environment, at least staying up. And we heard from our students about First Day Complete and they’ve been hearing from their friends at the other schools. So we know that it’s out there and they’re talking about it.”
   
   Bill Koch: “Our SGA meets with the SGA leadership at the other UNC schools. And so, they talk about emerging issues and just things at their campus that are going on that they find useful or helpful — and First Day Complete was certainly one of those.”
   
   In today’s competitive higher education landscape, institutions that offer a strong equitable access program are better positioned to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and attract a diverse student population. Equitable access signals to prospective students that the institution is committed to affordability, student success, and that all learners, regardless of their financial circumstances, will have what they need to thrive.

To learn more about First Day Complete and these key benefits watch the webinar. Contact us to discuss about how BNC can support your campus.

*2024 First Day Complete Student Success Survey