ICYMI: The following email was sent this week by Interim Dean of Students Matt Patry.
Dear Castleton Faculty, Staff, and Students,
I’m excited to share that Vermont State University is working with two new vendors for books and branded gear. Please see the operational changes below about how to buy books!
· All academic books will now be sold through eCampus, which is an online bookstore that delivers books directly to students to a location of their choice or to the Castleton physical bookstore for pickup. Students: You will receive information about how to access the online bookstore within the next few weeks.
· An eCampus ambassador has been identified for each campus. These ambassadors will help train faculty and make the transition to eCampus smooth and successful. I am serving as the Castleton campus ambassador. You can reach me at Matthew.Patry@Castleton.edu. Note: Faculty who are teaching this summer are receiving special instructions for summer book adoption. All faculty will receive instructions for fall adoption.
· Gear store vendor switch. The Gear Store will take over the bookstore at Castleton from Follett. The physical bookstore will remain, and an online Vermont State University store will launch for the full university in the coming weeks.
Our campuses at Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston already use the eCampus online bookstore, and we are looking forward to expanding and unifying this relationship as we become Vermont State University.
eCampus provides several benefits for students, faculty, and staff.
STUDENT BENEFITS
· 24/7 access that guarantees the right books at the right time, and the right price.
· Course materials linked to your class schedule for easy identification of the correct materials and seamless ordering.
· Price match guarantee – you can shop with confidence knowing that you will receive the best price.
· Additional benefits: Access to free shipping of course materials, free standard shipping to home on all orders over $59 ordered from the online bookstore, and a 30-day return policy after the start of classes.
· Affordability: eCampus.com offers every purchasing option, including new, used, rental, and eBook as well as a marketplace option that can offer course materials at savings up to 90%.
· Ease of ordering: You enjoy an integrated shopping experience with instant access to required course materials at the time of registration with single sign-on to streamline ordering and payment.
· Questions? Contact 859.209.6958 or bookstore@ecampus.com
FACULTY BENEFITS
· A dedicated eCampus.com account management team will support you through the online bookstore transition with clear communication, proper training, and consistent dialogue.
· Access to a streamlined online adoption platform known as FAST. The intuitive software allows for simplified research and selection of course materials all in one place. Within this system, you will be able to make adoption changes, order desk copies, see past adoptions, and ensure books will be ready and available for students prior to the first day of class. Custom materials, such as lab manuals and kits, will also be available.
· Ability to research titles and compare pricing to make informed course material decisions.
In addition, eCampus.com will also:
· Ensure the materials selected are accurately listed
· Alert faculty/administration to any changes in the status of selected books (i.e. out of print, out of stock, substituted for a new edition, etc.)
· Work with the faculty and the publishers to ensure timely and accurate delivery of the correct materials
A dedicated eCampus.com account management team will be available to faculty to address any questions that arise during the transition and adoption periods. In addition, the account team will be providing personalized virtual training in the days leading up to the transition to the new online bookstore. By submitting adoptions on time, faculty can ensure the proper availability of course materials so students can be prepared.
Faculty can anticipate email communications within the next few weeks regarding access to the FAST adoption tool and specific training on how to submit adoptions and verify the status of any adoptions imported from the previous provider. Faculty will be alerted via email when the online bookstore is live for ordering, with specific talking points on how students can place orders. Additional communication that articulates the benefits of shopping from the online bookstore will also be provided.
FACULTY QUESTIONS: teamexpress@ecampus.com
