Course Materials

Hodges U Turns to Private Partner to Reduce Course Material Costs

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 11/07/16

Hodges University has selected a private partner to develop and implement a new course materials strategy in an effort to reduce costs for students.

Noah B. Lamb, director of student accounts and auxiliary services at Hodges, mentioned multiple issues, from management to affordability to retention, with the previous system.

"With the exception of students registered in our self-paced learner programs, we use a student-pay model with a book voucher option that many of our students need to use," Lamb said in a prepared statement. "Managing the vouchers process can be tedious, and the amount that students were paying for course materials was becoming a major concern. Plus, there's always an emphasis on retention, so I know it's particularly important, given our accelerated terms, that students have their course materials on time."

The university selected Ed Map for its blended approach to materials that combines digital resources with printed content.

"Hodges has a nontraditional, mature student body," said Erica M. Vogt, executive vice president of administrative operations at Hodges, in a news release. "Although students enrolled in our online programs have fewer problems using digital materials, we know that others may find it initially difficult to adjust as we expand the use of digital. To help students during the transition, we are planning to provide students with digital copies, as well as a print-on-demand (POD) version of the course materials, if needed. Over time, we know that our students will become more comfortable and confident working with e-texts, making POD versions less desirable."

The university is adopting the company's "All-In Model," which promises to deliver the correct course materials on the first day of class. As the model creates a "high level of sell-through," according to information released by the company, Ed Map is introducing university representatives to publisher contacts in an effort to nail down discounts on course materials.

"We're looking forward to building on Ed Map's publisher relationships and experience helping institutions implement successful digital migrations to refine and implement a course materials strategy that will support our students, our faculty and our institution," added Lamb.