GENERAL INFORMATION

THE VERY SIMPLE PROCESS

HOW TO OPT OUT OF DIRECT ACCESS

The Direct Access program is a textbook model in collaboration with publishers that converts books into digital content. All students enrolled in a class purchase the content, lowering the cost for everyone. All students in that class also get access to the content on the first day of class and will be able to opt-out up until the drop/add period. Students are billed before the class starts. The digital content also includes Interactive Learning Platforms.

Interactive Learning Platforms are much more than e-books. They are interactive software platforms developed to provide an enhanced learning experience beyond reading the text. They may include multi-media video and audio presentations, adaptive quizzes and homework which link directly to the text. They also allow for various levels of customization by the instructor and peer-to-peer sharing of notes.

The price varies depending upon the course materials chosen by the instructor, but most are priced at an average of 50% to 70% off of the cost of a printed text. Please review exact cost for each course and course materials on towsonustore.com.

If your instructor is using Direct Access, you are already enrolled. You will be notified via email prior to the start of class with access instructions, the discounted pricing and information on opting out. All enrolled students will be billed the discounted price for the required course materials prior to the first day of class. You will have until the drop/add course date (approximately 10 days after the start of class) to opt-out or or back into your materials.

You will be billed at the beginning of the semester up until the drop/add period (approximately 10 days after the start of class).

If you do not wish to participate in Direct Access, you have the first 10 days (the University drop/add date is the official time and that will be included in your welcome email) of class to opt out of the program online. The opt out procedure will be included in your emailed information. If you opt out by the deadline, access to the online content will be turned off and you will be refunded, please allow time for the Billing Office to process those refunds.

Yes, please follow the Opt In instructions you received or email the UStore at [email protected] to request that your access be reinstated.

Yes. All students who are enrolled in a course using Direct Access are automatically considered part of the program. To avoid being billed you must opt out online during the first 2 weeks of class.

Students who drop the course during the first 10 days of class (or the official University drop/add date) will automatically be “opted out” and will be refunded. Students who drop after the 10 day period will have 5 days to notify the UStore at [email protected] to request a refund.

Once billing has been completed, the only option for a retroactive refund is with withdrawal documentation. Please email the UStore at [email protected] with documentation to request a refund.

First, try the online help desk of the publisher for you course’s content (see links below). The publisher of your content should be listed in the initial email you received about your access. If you are unable to find your publisher is, or if you are unable to get resolution from your publisher please contact the UStore at [email protected] for further assistance.

• Pearson Publishing: support.pearson.com
• McGraw-Hill Publishing: mpss.mhhe.com
• Cengage Learning: support.cengage.com
• Wiley: wileyplus.com/support
• W.W. Norton Publishing: wwnorton.com/tech-support

If you are in a continuing series course and paid for access, you can log in with your original account and simply assign your new course ID to access the homework.

Billing is done at registration of the course and you will be billed once you add the class. You have until the drop/add date to opt out regardless of the date you registered.

All enrolled and wait-listed students are emailed about the program. If it is not in a spam folder or was accidentally deleted, email the UStore at [email protected] for access instructions.

If your question wasn’t answered in the FAQ, please email [email protected] for more information.