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Ivy Tech CC Providing Students Free Access to Textbooks Through Cengage

Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with Cengage to provide all its students — numbering 90,000 across the state — with textbooks and digital course materials through Cengage Unlimited. The institution is using funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide the materials at no cost to students.

Starting on the first day of class, students will be able to access their Cengage course materials through Ivy Tech's learning management system; they will also have the option to rent up to four free hardcopy textbooks (subject to a limited shipping cost). In addition, Cengage is providing academic services and professional development to administrators and faculty to facilitate hybrid and online teaching, the company said in a news announcement.

"Ivy Tech faculty have always embraced innovative strategies such as online learning and eight-week courses. Our partnership with Cengage is another example of that innovation as it is providing enhanced faculty academic freedom in choice of course materials, while simultaneously reducing the financial burden and time burden for students to get course materials. This is yet another way that our faculty continue to meet students where they are and support their success in any way possible," said Kara Monroe, senior vice president and provost at Ivy Tech, in a statement.

"Research suggests that more than a quarter of community college students don't purchase books, typically, because they have other more pressing financial needs as many are low income, working in low wage jobs, and shouldering family responsibilities. And those statistics were pre-COVID," commented Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. "We are pleased to partner with Cengage in offering free course materials across the college helping reduce the financial strain on tens of thousands of Ivy Tech students."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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