UCLA's Inclusive Access and Bruin One Access Programs: Enhancing Textbook Affordability and Accessibility
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has implemented innovative programs like Inclusive Access and Bruin One Access to address the escalating costs of course materials and enhance the accessibility of these resources for its students. These initiatives, administered by Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA), aim to provide convenient, sustainable, and affordable access to textbooks, coursebooks, and course packets required for undergraduate courses.
UCLA Store Course Materials (VitalSource Bookshelf)
The UCLA Store offers a digital solution through its Course Materials platform, powered by VitalSource Bookshelf. This tool is integrated into Bruin Learn, UCLA's learning management system, and is accessible via the left navigation menu of every Bruin Learn course site. This virtual bookshelf grants students access to eTextbooks for their courses. To enhance flexibility, students can download the VitalSource app to their mobile devices or tablets, enabling them to access, read, and interact with their eTextbook course materials anytime, anywhere.
The UCLA Store Course Materials (VitalSource Bookshelf) seamlessly integrates with ASUCLA’s Inclusive Access and Bruin One Access programs, empowering students to access their course material content from the first day of class or choose not to participate in the program.
Navigating the UCLA Store for Course Materials
The UCLA Store's textbook section is divided into two distinct areas. The left side of the store features books for leisure reading, while the required course materials are strategically organized in the back right section. To facilitate easy navigation, the course materials are shelved in alphabetical order according to the author's name, as indicated by store signs. In addition to browsing the shelves, students can conveniently pick up their online textbook orders at the designated pick-up window within the store.
Inclusive Access: Day-One Digital Access
Inclusive Access provides UCLA students with access to their physical course materials in digital format, often with interactive features, from the very first day of classes. This program aims to remove barriers to accessing essential learning resources and ensure that students are prepared from the outset.
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Bruin One Access: A Flat-Rate Subscription
The Bruin One Access program, administered by ASUCLA, offers a subscription-based model that provides undergraduate students with access to required course materials for a flat rate of $129 per quarter. This all-inclusive fee covers textbooks, coursebooks, and course packets required for undergraduate courses at UCLA.
Enrollment and Access
At the beginning of each quarter, students are automatically enrolled in the Bruin One Access program at the subscription level. However, students have the flexibility to change their plan to the Inclusive Access tier or opt out of the program altogether. At the subscription level, students are automatically provided access to all required course materials. In contrast, the Inclusive Access tier provides materials on a title-by-title basis, allowing students to select the specific resources they need.
Students can access Bruin One Access materials from the first day of classes by logging in to Bruin Learn, selecting the desired course, and opening the UCLA Store Course Materials tool, UCLA Course Reader Solution tool, or publisher content link from the left side navigation pane. The UCLA Store Course Materials tool can also be accessed from the Bruin Learn account menu without selecting a course.
Opt-Out Policy and Billing
Students who do not wish to use Bruin One Access services must opt out by week two of fall, winter, and spring quarters. During summer sessions, course material access is exclusively supported by the Inclusive Access plan, and the opt-out deadline is Friday of the first week. Billing for the program is processed to students’ BruinBill accounts by the end of week three of each regular quarter.
Student Perspectives
Student opinions on these programs are varied. Kyle Dylan, a fourth-year statistics and data science student, noted, “It’s definitely a more clean and integrated software that we didn’t have before.” However, other students express concerns about the cost of the program.
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Cost Savings and Advocacy
UCLA Store Book Division Manager Scott Chapman reported to the Undergraduate Students Association Council that the Inclusive Access program saved students $1,106,503 in the 2022-2023 academic year, which translates to approximately $387 per student per year. Espino mentioned that “The Academic Affairs Commission had done a lot of advocacy from Inclusive Access where students had to opt out as opposed to opt in”.
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