Bengal Book Bundle

Buffalo State University is pleased to announce a new course material delivery program, Bengal Book Bundle, which will provide access to your required course materials in a convenient package before the first day of class.

With this new program, all physical (rented) or digital textbooks, access codes, and publisher courseware are included as a charge on your bill—at an average savings of 35-50 percent for anticipated textbook costs. The cost is $19 per credit hour or approximately $285 for a typical semester course load of 15 credit hours.

Pending final approval, this program will begin with the fall 2023 term.  

How It Works: 

• One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to review your courses and choose how to receive your materials
• The bookstore will prepare your physical course material rentals in a convenient package 
• You will receive an email notification when your order is ready for pickup at the bookstore or when it ships, depending on your selection  
• Your digital course materials will be available for you to access in Brightspace 
• When your courses are over, the bookstore will send you helpful reminder emails to return your rental course materials or choose to purchase them at a discounted rate 
• If after reviewing the cost of your textbook materials, you feel the program is not to your financial benefit, you have the option to opt out of the program. 

We are excited to offer you this convenient, affordable way for getting all your course materials! 

The Bengal Book Bundle program is a proposed new broad-based fee that is subject to final approval by SUNY.

What is the Bengal Book Bundle (BBB) program?
Bengal Book Bundle is a course material program aimed at lowering the cost of materials for students while ensuring that students have access to all their required course materials on or before the first day of class.

Course materials costs are bundled as part of tuition or course charges, savings students an average of 35-50 percent ensuring they are prepared from day one. Through this new program, physical books will be conveniently packaged and provided to students on a rental basis, and digital materials will be delivered directly within the campus LMS.

Each semester, the Bengal Book Bundle fee of $19 per credit hour, or approximately $285 for a typical semester course load of 15 credit hours is billed to each student’s account. This means that for the first time, students may use financial aid to cover these costs, if applicable.

This program will begin with the fall 2023 term, pending final approval. 

Most students will see that the BBB fee is less than the combined cost of the books for the semester—this is the purpose of the Bengal Book Bundle program: to save money. However, students may see that the combined cost of their books is less than the book fee—for this reason, the Book Bundle program offers an opt-out each semester.

Bengal Book Bundle is easy and convenient. At the start of the semester, students receive books based on delivery preference. At the end of the term, the bookstore sends students an email reminder to return their physical course materials to the bookstore.

How does it work?

• As soon as students register for classes, the bookstore will begin preparing their course materials
• One month before classes start, students will receive an email instructing them to select a delivery preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly to home)
• An email notification will be sent when the order is ready for pickup or when it ships
• Digital materials will be available for your course(s) within the Brightspace LMS once the instructor opens the course.

Which students will have access to Bengal Book Bundle?
All registered undergraduate and graduate students will have access to the Bengal Books Bundle program.

How do I enroll in the program?
All eligible students will be automatically enrolled in the Bengal Book Bundle program.

Can I opt out of the program?
While the Bengal Book Bundle is expected to both save money and make the process of obtaining required course materials easier, students may opt-out of this program.

Opting out means students will not receive access to your required course materials in a convenient package at a discounted rate and access to digital content within Brightspace will be removed. Students who opt-out of the program will be responsible for independently securing their course materials. Please note that students must make their final selection by the last day of drop add (Fall 2023 final date to opt out is: September 5, 2023).

How do I change my opt-out status?
To change your status and opt back into the Bengal Book Bundle program, just use the link in your opt-out confirmation email. Please note that you must make your final selection by the last day of registration (Fall 2023 final date to opt out is: September 5, 2023).

Are courses that utilize Open Educational Resources (OER) exempt from this fee?
Courses that use OER are still factored into the overall credit hour count. However, students can opt-out of the program if it is not financially in their best interest.

Does Bengal Book Bundle undermine or compete with Buffalo State’s and SUNY’s commitment to Open Educational Resources (OER)?
There is no competition. The BBB program favors faculty choosing low-cost and no-cost materials such as OER. The more OER resources that are adopted, the lower the overall cost to students.

Is there a minimum number of students required to participate in the program?
There is no required number of students needed to participate in the program. However, because use and cost are analyzed each year, the more students that participate, the lower the cost will remain.

If a full-time student is enrolled in five classes, and only one of the classes requires a book, does the student have to participate?
Depending on the cost of books, the student will have to determine the cost-benefit of their participation in the program. If it is not to their benefit, they can opt-out of the program.

If a student needs to repeat a course, or they have courses that last two semesters, is it cheaper for them to buy their book?
The student would need to determine which option is in their best financial interest. The bookstore would list the materials for both continuation courses across the academic terms and would have the materials. Depending on the rest of their workload, a student may decide to buy out the rental (if the materials are in print) at the end of the term and make the decision to participate the following term.

Please contact the bookstore with any additional questions at https://buffalostate.bncollege.com/ or by phone at (716) 878-5509.

How will the charges appear on my student account?
The Bengal Book Bundle charge will appear as a separate line on your student bill. As all fees for the cost of attendance, this too is eligible to be covered by applicable financial aid.

Will the price change year-to-year?
The fee is re-calculated annually.

Will students’ financial aid awards be increased?
No. In most cases, students already receive the maximum financial aid award possible.

How will students get their course materials?
Physical books will be conveniently packaged and provided to students on a rental basis. Students can have their books prepared for in-store pickup or shipped directly to home. Digital materials will be delivered directly within Brightspace LMS. Instructions on how to access your digital content will be sent to the student’s Buffalo State email on or before the first day of a class.

What is included in the program?
The program provides all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital textbook versions to eligible students.

What is excluded from the program?
The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused, such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, or engineering kits.

How long do students have use/access to course materials?
Students have access to the materials for the entire semester and then returned.

How do I purchase my course materials if I opt out of the program?
Students will be responsible for purchasing their required course materials through the bookstore or another vendor. Full information about the required course materials for your course can be viewed on the bookstore website.

When are my textbook rentals due back to the bookstore?
The deadline to return all rental textbooks is the last day of finals. Students will receive email reminders about the rental deadline to their Buffalo State email address.

What if I drop a class?          
Students who drop a class will be sent a notification from the bookstore to return the material within 48-72 hours. If a student drops a class and enrolls in a different class, the bookstore will “swap” the required textbooks/codes so that necessary materials are provided at no additional cost.

If I add a course(s) during the drop/add period, will I be able to pick up the required materials for the course from the bookstore, or will the required materials have to be ordered and shipped?
The bookstore will have additional stock on hand for students who change courses and need to exchange materials. If a student drops or adds a course during drop/add, they would return the book to the bookstore, and it would be replaced with the correct book for the new course.

What happens if I never verify my order?
The bookstore will email and/or call students to remind them to verify their orders. If the student does not respond or opt-out, their materials will be held at the bookstore, and their student account will be charged.

If I never pick up my books, will I still get charged?        
Yes, if the student does not opt out, their materials will be held at the bookstore, and their student account will be charged.

Can I opt out if I have already picked up my textbooks?            
Yes, you will have 48 to 72 hours to return your textbooks. If you do not return the textbooks, the charges for the Bengal Book Bundle will remain on your student account.

Can I buy my rented textbook?
Yes, the program allows you to purchase textbooks at a reduced rate during the return period. The rate will vary during the term based on market value. Contact the bookstore for more details.

Do I need to return books if they are for a continuation course?
Yes, you will still be required to return continuation course textbooks. You will be issued the same title for the next semester of the continuation course.

When is this program scheduled to start?
Bengal Book Bundle is scheduled to start in the fall 2023 semester.

How do I submit my course adoptions?
Please submit course materials to Barnes & Noble through the Adoption and Insight Portal (AIP).

Who determines the format of the course materials, print or electronic?
Faculty will decide the format of the course material if there is a preference. If there is no preference, Barnes and Noble will default to the format that is most cost-effective. Typically, if any access code is used, a digital format would be used, most other materials would default to print materials. Questions about digital access keys for course materials should be addressed by course instructors.

What if faculty do not go through the bookstore?
Course materials not secured through the campus bookstore must be purchased by students independently. For this reason, faculty are strongly encouraged to do so, to make the materials “aid-able” and keep the overall cost low to students.

Can departmental administrative assistants enter book orders for adjunct faculty?
Yes. Departments can contact the campus bookstore to make arrangements.

What are the deadlines for faculty book adoptions?
Faculty should begin to see book adoption information in early to mid-March from the bookstore. All adoptions for course materials must be turned in to the bookstore by May 1, 2023.

There are many courses taught by adjunct faculty who often do not start until the beginning of the semester. How are their books included in the program? What if a faculty member adds a new book or reconsiders a book? What if a new course is added to the schedule late in the process? Is there a deadline after which students become liable for the cost?
Faculty should do their best to meet adoption deadlines. Most departments find that pre-selecting standard texts for sections taught by adjunct instructors is the simplest solution. If a course is added late in the process, it is possible that students will experience a delivery delay depending on the individual materials. Nevertheless, students who participate in the program will still receive their materials at no additional cost.

Appeared in the Daily on Monday, March 6, 2023

Bengal Book Bundle (Previously First Day Complete) Starting Fall 2023 Term

Buffalo State University is pleased to announce a new course material delivery program, Bengal Book Bundle (previously referred to as First Day Complete), which will reduce the cost of materials for students and ensure that they have all their materials across all courses before the first day of class. Pending final SUNY approval, this program will begin with the fall 2023 term.

With this new program, all physical (rented) or digital textbooks, access codes, and publisher courseware are included as a charge on students’ bills, at an average savings of 35-50 percent of anticipated textbook costs. The cost is $19 per credit hour, or roughly $285 for a typical semester course load of 15 credit hours. The Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore will provide each student with a convenient package containing their physical books, and digital content will be delivered directly through Brightspace.

With this new model, there are no restrictions on the course materials faculty may select for their courses. All physical or digital textbooks, access codes, or courseware, from any publisher in any preferred format, are included in the program. Book adoption information will be emailed in early to mid March from the bookstore. All adoptions for course materials must be turned in to the bookstore by Monday, May 1. Submitting course material information by this deadline will help positively influence student success and retention. Please be sure to submit your course material adoptions to the bookstore so materials are ready and available for students before the first day of class.

For more information about the Bengal Book Bundle, please visit the program page, which includes the message sent to students. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Puma, bookstore manager, (716) 878-5509.

Thank you for your support in launching this exciting program for our students!

Emailed Monday, March 6, 2023

Buffalo State University is pleased to announce a new course material delivery program, Bengal Book Bundle, which will provide access to your required course materials in a convenient package before the first day of class.

With this new program, all physical (rented) or digital textbooks, access codes, and publisher courseware are included as a charge on your bill—at an average savings of 35-50 percent for anticipated textbook costs. The cost is $19 per credit hour or approximately $285 for a typical semester course load of 15 credit hours.

Pending final approval, this program will begin with the fall 2023 term.  

How It Works: 

• One month before classes start, you will receive an email instructing you to review your courses and choose how to receive your materials
• The bookstore will prepare your physical course material rentals in a convenient package 
• You will receive an email notification when your order is ready for pickup at the bookstore or when it ships, depending on your selection  
• Your digital course materials will be available for you to access in Brightspace 
• When your courses are over, the bookstore will send you helpful reminder emails to return your rental course materials or choose to purchase them at a discounted rate 
• If after reviewing the cost of your textbook materials, you feel the program is not to your financial benefit, you have the option to opt out of the program. 

We are excited to offer you this convenient, affordable way for getting all your course materials!