Textbooks & Textpaks

How does Equitable Access work?

Equitable Access is a program designed to reduce inequity among students by eliminating course material access issues, while ensuring that costs are predictable and equal for all students. Every quarter students can pay a flat fee for all necessary textbooks and textpaks.

**Note** The MSBA program is currently not included in Equitable Access.
If you are an MBA/MPAc/MM student and cross-register into the MSBA program, please note BAX courses are excluded from the Equitable Access program. BAX course materials will need to be purchased separately.

How do I access my digital textbooks if I am participating in Equitable Access?

To access your digital textbooks and textpaks for any given course, simply log in to the course page in your UC Davis Canvas account, and open your Equitable Access Bookshelf tool from the navigation menu. For Digital Campus, EA materials location may vary. Depending on the textbook or content type, you may find additional access information on the Attachments tab for each item displayed. Study.net reading material will be accessed via study.net website.

Harvard Business Publishing simulations and multimedia cases must be accessed through the HBP website. Links to these coursepacks will also be in the Bookshelf tool.

Why are some of my course materials not included in the Equitable Access program?

Most course materials are covered through the Equitable Access program. However, some materials may not be covered due to various reasons. Some reasons materials may not be covered are: 1) if we are unaware of the use of the course materials and 2) if the materials are not a part of the UC Davis Stores “catalog." This may result in materials not being included in the EA program. The GSM and the EA team try our best to include all course materials in the EA program. If an item is not covered in the EA program, please let us know what course and which material is not being covered. This will help us determine what went wrong as we may be unaware of the item being excluded. You may contact instructional@gsm.ucdavis.edu.

Will Equitable Access allow me to retain access to my course materials after a course ends?

Yes, for certain materials. Many of the digital textbooks in Bookshelf may be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the Bookshelf app. Digital textbooks that are a part of a homework manager or courseware are only usable for the quarter during which they were originally provided; unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.

You may also keep any physical textbooks you receive under Equitable Access so long as you stay enrolled in the program and the course. If you opt out of Equitable Access or drop the course, you’ll need to return the books.

Can I opt out of Equitable Access?

Yes. You can choose to opt out each quarter. However, if you choose to opt out you will need to purchase your textbooks at current retail or resale prices either by special ordering from the Bookstore or from an outlet of your choice.

You may opt out up until the quarter drop deadlines:

• Fall: October 7, 2024
• Winter: January 15, 2025
• Spring: April 9, 2025

Note: Students who cross-register in Online (MGV) and On-premises courses (MGT, MGB, MGP, ACC) will need to opt-out of Equitable Access via each system (Canvas and 2U Digital Campus) as these systems work independent of each other.

How do I opt out of Equitable Access?

Students will not be able to opt-out until the GSM catalog of items (textbooks/textpaks) are loaded into Canvas or Digital Campus. Items are usually loaded two weeks in advance of the start of class.

There are several ways to opt out of Equitable Access if you choose:

• From your MyBill Student Account page using the link on the left side of the screen in the “Announcements” section. This will open your personal Equitable Access materials page*. This link is also included in the Welcome email from the Equitable Access Team.
  • *Note: The Equitable Access Materials page link is only accessible to participating students and will not work for non-students.
• From your Equitable Access Bookshelf—accessible from the navigation menu of any of your course pages in Canvas or Digital Campus.
• By emailing the Equitable Access Support Team at equitableaccess@ucdavis.edu. Please use your @ucdavis.edu email address, include your student ID in the body of the message, and the words “opt out” in the subject line.

**Note** Opting out must be done by the drop deadlines below, but you may opt back in prior to the drop dates: 

• Fall: October 7, 2024
• Winter: January 15, 2025
• Spring: April 9, 2025

What can I expect after I opt out?

From the time you get your quarterly bill until the day it's due, you can opt yourself out of Equitable Access using the link on the left side of the screen in the “Announcements” section on your MyBill student accounting page. Doing so by this deadline will add a credit to your student account before it is due. If you miss this date (the day your bill is due), you can still opt yourself out of Equitable Access using the link on the left side of the screen in the “Announcements” section on your MyBill student accounting page up until the Sunday before classes start. In this instance, you are required to pay the Equitable Access fee but will receive a $199 credit in your student account (called BKST Equitable Access Wavier) within two to five business days. Please note this change can take longer to appear on your account. As per Student Accounting’s policy, any credit on your account will be dispersed at the end of the month.

If you would like to opt out of Equitable Access after classes begin, you can still do so until the drop dates (Fall: October 7, 2024, Winter: January 15, 2025, Spring: April 9, 2025). You will need to email equitableaccess@ucdavis.edu and request to opt out. If you’re on campus, you can go to the main campus bookstore and request to opt out at the guest services counter or the text floor help desk. In this instance, you are required to pay the Equitable Access fee but will receive a $199 credit in your student account (called BKST Equitable Access Wavier) within two to five business days. As per Student Accounting’s policy, any credit on your account will be dispersed at the end of the month.

How do I opt back in?

After opting out, the [Opt Out] button becomes an [Opt In] button. After the opt out deadline this will no longer be an option, to opt back in after the final drop date please contact Equitable Access Support Team at equitableaccess@ucdavis.edu. Please use your @ucdavis.edu email address, include your student ID in the body of the message, and the words “opt in” in the subject line.

What if I opt out after already accessing the textpaks?

If a student chooses to opt-out of the Equitable Access program after accessing their course textpaks, you will be billed for the accessed materials via MyBill.

For the full FAQ page, please visit the UC Davis Equitable Access site: https://ucdavisstores.com/EquitableAccess

What if I do not enroll in any classes for a quarter?

If you do not enroll for an academic quarter, you will not be charged for Equitable Access.

If you DO enroll but then drop all courses, the charge will appear on your MyBill and you will need to request a refund of the charge. If you need to request a refund please contact: equitableaccess@ucdavis.edu

Textbook Information

E-books may be purchased independently from third party vendors or via tools on Canvas, if purchased through Canvas, students will be billed separately through MyBill. Please refer to your course syllabus to confirm the correct textbook edition.

Textpak Information

Textpaks may be obtained and purchased through Canvas. Textpaks will be billed separately through MyBill.

If you are having issues accessing your course materials, please contact the Project & Instructional Resources staff at instructional@gsm.ucdavis.edu.

Many items are available through the library. Most items will be listed on your course syllabus and sometimes a more extensive list will be posted to Canvas. Most items through the library will need the use of the library VPN to access the materials. This will also be stated on the syllabus or provided list.

For more information on the UC Davis Library VPN or accessing materials from off-campus, please visit https://library.ucdavis.edu/off-campus-access/

For a direct link to the UC Davis Library Databases, please visit https://guides.library.ucdavis.edu/az.php