Faculty
Course Materials Access: Your Students Can Choose the Best Fit for Their Semester!
Course Materials Access is the UNM Bookstores program designed to provide your students with the most convenient and affordable way to get their course materials. With three flexible tiers, students can choose the option that best fits their needs each semester. Here are their options:
COMPLETE
Your students can access all their required course materials for a flat rate of $279 per semester.
Degree-seeking, undergraduate students whose home campus is Albuquerque are automatically enrolled in Complete.
SELECT
Your students can opt to purchase only specific digital or print course materials for their registered courses.
All other students served by this bookstore are enrolled in Select.
OPT-OUT
Your students can opt-out entirely of Course Materials Access and purchase their course materials on their own.
Can I still choose my own course materials?
Yes, faculty retain academic freedom to choose any course materials, including digital or physical copies, Open Educational Resources (OER), or materials from the UNM Bookstore. Only required course materials are included in the Complete Program. If you select an out of print title, we cannot guarantee delivery.
How does the Complete option affect my adoption process?
Faculty should continue to submit course material adoptions through the standard process, but starting Fall 2025, a new tool will be used for gathering adoptions. Notifications and tutorials on the new tool will be provided in late Spring 2025.
Can I still send students links to the publisher or elsewhere to acquire their course materials?
Yes, but not without incurring additional costs for students. We encourage all instructors to work with the UNM Bookstore so that all required course materials, both digital and print, can be provided under the flat-rate program.
Is Complete offered during the Summer term?
Complete is only available in the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer terms use the Select option exclusively.
What support will be available for students who need help accessing materials with the Complete option?
Students can access the RedShelf platform through Canvas. Additionally, the UNM Bookstore offers support to ensure all students have the necessary access to their materials and students can email coursematerialsaccess@unm.edu with any questions. Faculty can direct students to the UNM Bookstore for assistance.
If I cancel my adoption, will my students still get charged?
The Complete option is a flat-rate, semester-based program that covers all adopted required textbooks for all undergraduate students. This Bookstore charge is not based on individual classes. Therefore, if you decide to cancel an adoption for your class, students will not automatically incur additional charges or receive a refund. If the student opted out of the Complete option and purchased materials for your course through the Select option or on their own, they may be eligible for a refund.
Can I still use OER for my courses?
Yes! This program supports the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and encourages faculty to use it. The more digital content and OER included in the Complete Program, the lower the cost per semester can be for the student when costs are evaluated annually. Please provide us with the URL to the OER material you select.
My course doesn’t require textbooks. Why would students in my course benefit from this program?
This program applies to all undergraduate courses. Students enrolled in other courses may find that those courses require additional paid content, making the Complete option beneficial. If you’re using OER, library links, or other no-cost materials, just let us know so we can make sure your course is listed properly.
How can students access lab manuals and coursepacks?
Custom-created lab manuals and coursepacks will be distributed to participating students through the UNM Bookstore at the start of courses, if the instructor has provided an adoption for these items. This program does not cover materials printed by the UNM Copy Center. Students will receive an email when materials are ready for pickup, or this information can be found through the My Shelf link in Canvas.
If students are opted in, their orders for print materials will be placed automatically. Students who opt out of the Complete option can order lab manuals or coursepacks on their own from the UNM Bookstore website.
Will course materials only be provided in a digital format under this program?
No, faculty can still choose their own course materials and delivery formats, including print.
What should I tell a student who wants to keep one item on MyShelf but not remain in the Complete plan?
Let the student know that they should not use Global Opt-out if they want to keep any of their materials. Instead, they need to move from the Complete plan into the Select plan. Once in Select, they can opt out of the individual eBooks they do not need while keeping the items they want.
How do I get a desk copy of my chosen course materials?
As in the past, you can contact your publisher representative directly to request a desk copy of your selected texts.
Digital course materials are not suitable for my course. Will exceptions be made to accommodate print?
Yes, if you prefer print materials, please specify any such requests when submitting your textbook adoptions.
I used to use Inclusive Access. Is this no longer available?
Select is the new name for our former Inclusive Access program! It offers greater flexibility than the previous IA model, as students can now opt out on an item-by-item basis rather than only at the course level.
Where can I access my materials?
Just like your students, use the bellow steps to access your materials:
- Log in to Canvas in a browser.
- Go to Account → My Shelf.
Submit your question here and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Course Materials Adoptions at UNM
The UNM Bookstores is introducing a new platform for submitting course materials: Collect by VitalSource. This tool provides a more organized experience, improved visibility into your selections, and a smoother path from review to final submission.
Where do I access the adoption platform?
To begin, use your personalized adoption link provided in emails from bookstore@verbasoftware.com. If you haven’t received this email, please contact us.
How can I request an eBook?
The adoption platform will indicate when a digital version of the material is available. eBooks will have a specific eISBN corresponding to the digital format. If you cannot find the eISBN, you may request a digital version by leaving a comment in your adoption submission.
How can I ensure my class uses print copies only?
If a print version is available, the material will be listed as either paperback or hardcover. The bookstore will always source the most affordable version available, which is typically the paperback edition.
To ensure a print format is used, enter the print ISBN provided by the publisher. You may also leave a comment indicating that print is preferred.
My class does not require course materials. Do I still need to submit an adoption?
If your course does not require materials, please log in, select your course, and choose "No, I do not need to add books, OER materials, or supplies." For administrators and coordinators entering adoptions, this option will appear as "No Text Required."
This designation informs students that they do not need to obtain any materials from the bookstore and helps bookstore staff communicate course requirements accurately.
The book I want to use is out of print. Can I still request it?
Unfortunately, we are unable to source out-of-print books. If the edition you selected is no longer available, we will notify you and recommend the most current available edition.
Can I list multiple books and have students choose only one?
To do this, mark the books as Optional and leave a note with instructions such as "Choose one" or "Choose two."
Please note that optional titles are not included in the Complete flat-rate charge. Students will need to purchase optional materials separately.
Can I list an eBook as optional?
Optional eBooks are not currently supported.
Can I list a print book as optional?
Print books can be listed as optional.
Please note that optional titles are not included in the Complete flat-rate charge. Students will need to purchase optional materials separately.
How can I offer students the choice between an eBook and a print book?
Add the digital version as required and the print version as optional. This allows students to use the required digital material through the program or opt out of the individual title and purchase the print version instead.
Can I have one book as an eBook and another as a print book?
You can mix and match formats as needed.
How do I know I am requesting the most recent edition?
When submitting your adoption, select "Yes" when prompted with the question "Use most recent edition?" The bookstore will source the latest available edition.
How do I add free material or Open Educational Resources (OER)?
Please complete our OER submission form here, and the bookstore will add the material on your behalf.
If I am uploading PDFs to Canvas, do I still need to notify the bookstore?
If you will provide all course materials through PDFs or other files in Canvas, please mark your course as "No Text Required." This lets students know they do not need to purchase or pick up materials from the UNM Bookstore. Please also include the following comment with your adoption: "Instructor will provide materials in Canvas."
My class requires a preassembled kit. How do I add this?
If your class requires a preassembled kit, please contact us here.
My class requires other supplies that are not bundled as a kit, can I add these to my adoption?
No, students are responsible for purchasing these supplies outside of the Course Materials Access program.
I want to use the same materials as last semester. Does my adoption carry over automatically?
Adoptions do not carry over automatically. Please submit your adoption each semester, even if you are using the same materials.
If my students already have an eBook from a previous semester, do I still need to submit an adoption?
An adoption must be submitted for the title to appear in students' MyShelf accounts.
Students will not be billed again for content they already own, provided their access remains valid through the end of the current term.
What is courseware, and how can I request it?
Courseware is a software that supplements course content and often includes homework, quizzes, tests, and other learning tools.
To use courseware, you must submit an adoption through the bookstore and work with the publisher to complete the courseware setup.
I changed my mind about the materials I want to use. Can I make changes?
Please contact us here if you would like to change your course materials, and the bookstore will assist you.
If my department wants to buy books for the entire class, can I order through the bookstore?
Please contact us here and we can help arrange the order, provided your department authorizes the purchase.
How can I order a desk copy?
Desk copies must be requested directly from the publisher. Please contact us here if you require assistance in finding this information.
Can I add an adoption on my TAs behalf?
Please contact us here, and we will assist you with the adoption process.
I am a department administrator. Can I submit adoptions for faculty in my department?
Please contact us here and we can set this up for you.
I require a coursepack printed by the UNM print shop at Dane Smith Hall. Is it included in the Complete option?
No, materials sourced outside of the UNM Bookstore are not included in the flat rate Complete plan. With enough lead time to allow for copyright clearances, we could facilitate publishing through LAD custom publishing. Please contact us here and we will assist you with this process.
To get started:
Submit your question here and a member of our team will get back to you.
