Textbooks & Inclusive Access: UTSA & HB 1027

Defines inclusive access and summarizes HB 1027 transparency compliance.

Fee Approval & Encourage OER (Proposed)

The UTSA HB 1027 Work Group has proposed a contingency plan in case inclusive access is ever proposed and approved at UTSA:

Fee Approval

  • Should a new fee be proposed for inclusive access, it would be routed through UT System's and UTSA's rigorous approval process.
  • If approved, UTSA would add the fee to Additional College and Course Fees Incidental Charges, modeling after UT Arlington's:
    • Inclusive Access Fee: Varies based on actual cost. To cover costs associated with providing digital course materials in lieu of printed textbooks and/or other printed materials. (TEC 54.504). Specific

Encourage OER

  • Encourage open educational resources over inclusive access, modeling after UT Arlington.

Follett Access (Proposed)

Leverage Follett Access to support transparency and opt-out. UTSA's Rowdy Campus Bookstore is a Follett Bookstore. View Follett Access course schedules implementations at UT Arlington and Texas State. Florida State has created a helpful page to step students through the opt-out process, including sample opt out emails. The UTSA Work group recommends development of a similar page as part of the UTSA contingency plan.

Screenshots from Follett Access at Texas State from the course schedules.

Simple Syllabus (Proposed)

Provide language in UTSA syllabi using the Simple Syllabus template so that students are aware of inclusive access and opt out options, below.

Inclusive Access Proposed Language: For All Syllabi

Inclusive Access is a textbook sales model that adds the cost of digital course content into student tuition and fee statements automatically. HB 1027 requires UTSA to provide transparency and opt out options should any UTSA courses adopt inclusive access: to support student awareness, access, and empowerment around course materials. To view publisher privacy statements and opt out processes, visit Textbooks and Inclusive Access: UTSA and HB 1027.  

Inclusive Access Proposed Language: Course Level 

This course uses materials that are included in a course fee and provided to students through UTSA Canvas. Once enrolled, you will receive an email from the Rowdy Campus Bookstore with options to opt-out of inclusive access. Contact the Rowdy Campus Bookstore for more information.