BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Aug. 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- A collaboration between Follett Higher Education
and University of Bridgeport (UB) has
helped students save more than $1.9
million on textbooks and course materials over the last
year. In summer 2023, UB partnered with Follett to manage its
bookstore and launch a new Follett Access program that provides
students with all their required course materials, textbooks, and
supplies for free, with no additional increase in tuition or
fees.
"As we embark on another academic year, UB is proud to celebrate
the success of our partnership with Follett Higher Education in
significantly reducing costs for our students," said UB
President Danielle Wilken. "This
collaboration underscores our commitment to accessibility and
affordability in higher education, ensuring that financial
considerations do not hinder our students' academic pursuits. We
look forward to continuing this initiative and further enhancing
the educational experience for all members of our university
community."
As the largest campus bookstore operator in North America, Follett Higher Education serves
more than six million college students at over 1,000 campus retail
stores. The transition to Follett Access provides UB students with
free course materials and frictionless access to digital learning
resources that help enhance academic success campus-wide and drive
down college costs for students. "What makes the Access model so
significant is not only the way it targets convenience and
affordability, but how it genuinely impacts a student's overall
sense of well-being, preparedness, and confidence in the
classroom," said Ryan Petersen,
Follett Higher Education President. "We're excited to partner
with University of Bridgeport to bring
their program to life and help make a difference in their students'
success."
Additionally, Follett's management of the on-campus
brick-and-mortar bookstore has transformed the store into a central
hub for UB gear in its new location on the ground floor of the
campus' Wahlstrom Library. "At UB, we have a keen awareness of
access, affordability, and equity for our students," said
William Guerrero, UB's Vice
President for Finance and Chief Finance Officer. "Not only have
we worked hard to control tuition with no tuition increases in the
past three years, but Follett Access also provides free course
materials to our students, so they do not have to factor these
costs into their academic success from day one."
As students prepare to return to campus for the 2024-25 school
year, UB and Follett will continue to provide free course materials
with the goal of removing barriers to access, improving
affordability, and raising academic outcomes for more students.
For more information, visit bridgeport.edu/bookstore.
About University of
Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport offers
career-oriented undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees
and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth.
The University promotes academic excellence, personal
responsibility, and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in
an international, culturally diverse, and supportive learning
environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an
increasingly interconnected world. The University is independent
and non-sectarian. www.bridgeport.edu
For media inquiries, please contact:
Abby Levandoski
Communications Manager
University of Bridgeport
Email: aleva@bridgeport.edu
Phone: 203-576-4151
About Follett Higher Education | Follett.com
Follett Higher Education is a leading educational service provider
and omnichannel retailer providing students, faculty and staff,
parents, and fans the course materials, learning tools and retail
services needed to successfully support the academic, athletic, and
collegiate journey. Follett Higher Education supports over 6
million students through its 1,000+ physical and online collegiate
retail stores across North
America.
For media inquiries, please
contact:
media@follett.com
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SOURCE University of Bridgeport