Immediate Access (IA)

The Immediate Access program is not directly affiliated with Chico Affordable Learning Solutions (CAL$). Information on this page is hosted as a courtesy. If you have additional questions after reviewing this Immediate Access webpage, please contact the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu(opens in new window)

Welcome to the Immediate Access webpage. 

Faculty can choose to participate in Immediate Access for some or all of their courses.

On this page, you will find answers to overall general questions. 

What is Immediate Access?

Immediate Access (IA)is a partnership between Chico State, book publishers, and the Wildcat Store that allows students to receive digitally delivered course materials at a reduced price. If a faculty member chooses to participate in the Immediate Access program, course materials are automatically provided through Canvas to all their students by the first day of the class.  

The Immediate Access program provides all enrolled students with digitally delivered course materials from a major publisher on or before the first day of the semester. Students make the choice whether to purchase the digital content or opt out and purchase their course materials elsewhere. Prices for IA resources are typically discounted 20-60% off of the original cost.

Students who prefer to obtain course materials elsewhere must opt out of Immediate Access.

Immediate Access may be a good option for your course if:

• There are no quality zero-cost options for your course at this time.
• These materials are necessary for success in the course (e.g. e-learning platforms with graded assignments).
• You have a large enrollment course. Price bdiscounts vary by volume and publisher.
• You are committed to clearly communicating the opt-out process and dates with students.
  

How are the materials paid for?

Students are provided materials through Canvas when they enroll in the course. The cost is automatically added to student fees. Materials will be paid for with financial aid if a student has sufficient funds in their award. Students without (sufficient) financial aid will need to pay for their materials by the end of the 2nd week of the semester. Charges for course materials appear two weeks before the term on the accounts of all students enrolled in the course (along with their tuition and other student fees).  Payment information can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

If students opt-out before the census date, charges will be removed from the student account.

How do students access course materials?

Faculty must add a link to their course’s Canvas page for students to access their course materials. 

Follett (The Wildcat Store) will send students an email detailing how to access course materials. 

• For courseware: Depending on the publisher, the email from Follett may contain an access code students need to enter using the link on the course's Canvas page. ​
• For ebooks: Students will receive an email from Kortext, BryteWave or Redshelf containing an activation link. They must use their Chico State email address to create an account.

How do students opt out of Immediate Access?

The email from Follett will contain instructions on how to opt out using Follett’s Customer Portal. Students have until the university census date to opt out and receive a full refund. If they have not yet paid for the course materials, charges will be removed from their account.

Before opting out, students should review the course syllabus for the role the materials play in their course grade. Students should not opt out if a course’s digital materials include required quizzes, exams, and assignments. Immediate Access prices are typically the lowest on the market for these types of digital materials.

If a student changes their mind, they can use the Follett Portal to opt back in. Access to the materials should be reinstated within 24 hours.

What are the benefits of Immediate Access?

Immediate Access course materials are typically discounted 20-60% off the original cost. Students also benefit by having the accurate resources on the first day of class without needing to shop for them.

Faculty should research the costs and benefits for their courses. Immediate Access may be a good option for a course if:

• The course materials are necessary for success in the course (e.g. courseware with graded assignments such as MyLab, Revel, Achieve, WileyPlus, Connect, WebAssign, etc).
• It is a large enrollment course. Price discounts may vary by volume.
• Faculty are committed to clearly communicating the opt-out process and dates with students and dedicating a few minutes to setting up the materials in Canvas before the start of classes.

For More Information

Faculty

If you have additional questions after reviewing this Immediate Access webpage, please contact the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).

You can adopt Immediate Access course materials by using Follett Discover (renamed My Bookstore Materials) in the Canvas Global Navigation as you would adopt any other course materials or by emailing the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).

Students

Please check your Chico State email for messages from Follett or Kortext. If you haven’t received an email, confirm with your instructor that your class is enrolled in the program.

If you cannot access the course materials, let your instructor know or contact the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.edu(opens in new window).

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a student adds/drops the course?

Adding a Course: If you add an Immediate Access course after the semester starts, you’ll get an email with access details within 24 hours.

Dropping a Course: If you drop before the census date, you don’t need to opt out — access will be removed automatically and the charge refunded within a week.

Can students purchase hard copies of the course materials?

A student can contact the Wildcat Store at immediateaccess@csuchico.eduto request a hard copy of a book. The hard copy may not be physically available in the store, but it can be ordered. The hard copy will cost more and the student will be responsible for paying the Wildcat Store directly. If you qualify for support from the Accessibility Resource Center, please contact them to request a hard copy by calling 530-898-5959 or emailingarcdept@csuchico.edu.

How long do students have access to the materials? 

Digital materials are accessible for at least 180 days (6 months) with possible extensions depending on the materials and publisher terms. 

Can Immediate Access be used for recommended course materials? 

No. Only required course materials are included in the Immediate Access program. 

How do students know they are enrolled in an Immediate Access course?

When students register for classes, each Immediate Access course contains the following note:

This is an Immediate Access course, providing instant availability of your materials on the first day, along with a discount that will be reflected in your semester charges. Information about the cost and how to access the materials will be emailed to you from immediateaccess@csuchico.edu two weeks prior to the start of the semester. You can visit this website for more information.

Faculty should also clearly communicate with students about Immediate Access the first week of classes and provide a clearly labeled link to the resources in their Canvas shell. 

How do faculty get a desk copy of the materials? 

Most publishers will supply digital desk copies within Canvas on the faculty member’s bookshelf. If not, faculty can reach out to their publisher representative to request a desk copy.