PRESS RELEASE – Student PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups)<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, the Student PIRGs released a new report titled Access Denied<\/em> that investigates the concerning growth of online access codes in college classrooms.<\/p>\n The Student PIRGs have long researched the issue of high textbook prices, but today\u2019s report calls attention to a new product that is taking the industry by storm \u2013 one that is arguably worse for students than high-priced textbooks: access codes.<\/p>\n \u201cOnline access codes are the new face of the textbook monopoly,\u201d Ethan Senack, Higher Education Advocate at the Student PIRGs, said. \u201cIn one swoop, the publishers remove a student\u2019s ability to opt-out of buying their product, eliminate any and all competition in the market, and look good doing it because the codes are cheaper than publisher\u2019s exorbitantly priced textbooks.\u201d<\/p>\n Access codes are serial numbers that allow students to unlock online learning software. These platforms often contain digital books, homework assignments, quizzes, tests, and more. The access code, once registered, becomes null and may not be used by a different student in a different course or semester.<\/p>\n Given the rapid expansion of this new product in the marketplace, Access Denied<\/em> contains two pieces: research into the role of access codes in the marketplace, and analysis of the transition from a consumer perspective.<\/p>\n Key Research Findings:<\/p>\n \u2022 Across institutions and majors, an average of 32% of courses included access codes among the required course materials.<\/p>\n \u2022 At campus bookstores, the average cost of an access code alone was $100.24.<\/p>\n \u2022 In bookstores, only 28% of access codes were offered in unbundled form. Even when acquired directly from the publisher, only 56% of all required access codes were offered without additional materials bundled in, despite federal law requiring materials to be sold separately.<\/p>\n Consumer Analysis:<\/p>\n The lack of consumer choice and competition in the textbook market has allowed publishers to drive up prices to unsustainable levels. However, increased prices have allowed alternative pathways to emerge that help students succeed regardless. It is this freedom of choice \u2013 the ability of a student to choose between used books, renting, sharing with a friend, borrowing from the library, or opting out entirely \u2013 that protects students from the most harmful effects of a broken market.<\/p>\n The access code model, in contrast, precludes the development of these alternatives and eliminates student choice.<\/p>\n \u2022 By making access codes single-use and individualized for each student, publishers eliminate a student\u2019s ability to share with a friend, or borrow from the library if they don\u2019t have the financial means to buy it. \u201cPublishers are touting access codes as a student-friendly option in the textbook market, but in reality, it\u2019s just another tactic to eliminate competition in the market and keep profits high,\u201d said Senack. \u201cThese codes offer big publishers a host of benefits over the traditional print market \u2013 while throwing students, especially those who are economically disadvantaged, under the bus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 By creating access codes that include assignments and tests, publishers lock 100% of students in a course into buying their product and eliminate a student\u2019s ability to opt-out.
\n\u2022 By transitioning to digital course materials, publishers now have the ability to eliminate excess supply that could lead to used book markets.<\/p>\n