Faculty

Faculty plays a larger role than you might recognize in ensuring students are able to obtain the textbooks and materials they need at reasonable prices. The Rocker Shop relies on you, the instructors and faculty, to submit textbook lists for your courses in a timely fashion each semester. Timely lists allow us to source the correct textbooks and obtain an appropriate supply of used textbooks. We all know that more used textbooks are exactly what students want!

On the other hand, a delayed textbook list can result in inventory shortages, students unable to obtain required texts and a complete lack of quality used textbooks.

Please do your part and submit your textbook lists as earlier as possible each semester. Your students will thank you!

If you have any questions, please select the button below to contact the Rocker Shop.

Questions? Email Us

First Day Access for Faculty

First Day Access is a South Dakota Board of Regents adopted program. It converts physical course materials into instantly accessible, totally interactive and adaptive digital content, while drastically reducing the cost to students.

    Two Main Goals
  • Reducing the cost of course materials.
  • Improving educational outcomes for students.

    • All students get the same course material with convenient day-one access to course content. This allows them to experience more interactive and adaptive digital content that has been shown to improve educational outcomes.

    The Process is Simple
  • Faculty adopt their course material and choose to use the FDA program.
  • Once the course is set-up, students are able to access the content through D2L on the first day of class. (D2L must be activated by the faculty member).
  • Student accounts are charged once they are registered for the course using FDA.
  • Payment is due at the same time as tuition and fees.
  • Students have the option to OPT-OUT of this program before the Universities add/drop deadline.
  • Students that have OPTED-OUT of the program will receive a refund after the add/drop deadline has passed.
    Faculty Frequently Asked Questions
  • I don’t use D2L for my course can I still use First Day Access?
    • Yes, D2L must be activated for your students to gain access to the course material BUT it is not required to be used after that.
  • How much does First Day Access cost?
    • The price varies depending upon the course materials chosen by the instructor, but most First Day Access prices are lower than the cost to access the material direct through the publisher, and average 50% to 70% off the cost of the printed text.
  • How will I get my access code?
    • If you are using First Day Access, your students are already enrolled. They will be notified via email prior to the start of class with access instructions and information on opting out. This information can be added to your syllabi.
  • How do students pay for access?
    • Students are billed at the time of registration. No waiting in line with a heavy, expensive book!
  • What does it mean to opt-out?
    • If students do not wish to participate in First Day Access or they already have the course material, they have until the University's add/drop deadline to opt out of the program online. The opt-out procedure will be outlined in the student's email. If they opt out by the deadline, access to the online content will be turned off and students will receive a refund after the add/drop deadline.
  • What if a student opted out by mistake and realized that they still need access. Can they opt back in?
    • Yes! Students are able to opt back in to First Day Access before the University's add/drop deadline.
  • What if a student did not opt out and did not register their access or use the online platform. Will they still be billed?
    • Yes. All students who are enrolled in a course using First Day Access are automatically considered part of the program. To avoid being billed, students must opt out online before the University's add/drop deadline.
  • What if a student dropped the course.
    • Students who drop the course by the University's add/drop deadline will automatically be issued a refund by the University.
  • If a student forgets to opt out and missed the deadline. Can they get a refund?
    • Once billing has been completed, the only option for a retroactive refund is with documented withdrawal.
  • Who should I contact if I am having trouble with access to the online content?
    • If you need additional assistant, contact the Rocker Shop. If it is a questions regarding something in the access code itself. First, try the online help desk of the publisher for your course’s content. If addition help is needed after trying the publisher, contact the Rocker Shop.
  • If a student already have access to the online platform from a previous course, can they continue without paying twice?
    • If a student is in a continuing series course (example, took PHY 9A and paid for access, and now taking PHY 9B), simply OPT-OUT of the course materials and continue to log in with original account and simply assign new course ID to access the homework. If your current section does not require the homework, students can still use the platform’s self-study tools and do not need a new course ID.
  • What happens if a student added the class late. When is my payment due?
    • Billing will be due at time of registration. Contact the Cashier's Office to pay or make payment arrangements.
  • What if a student claims they did  not receive an email about First Day Access?
    • All enrolled students are emailed about the program.
  • I have further questions that were not addressed. Who do I contact?
    • If your question wasn’t answered in this FAQ, please email Jennifer, for more information.

    Course Materials Changing Landscape

    More than ever, publishers are changing their content delivery methods. Options available may impact your course material adoption. Regardless of delivery method, the correct content will be made available to your students. The Rocker Shop is here to help!

    To assure the full range of course material options are available to you, Summer and Fall 2018 adoptions must be submitted to the Rocker Shop by April 1, 2018. Adoptions are accepted after this date but fewer options may be available to you.

    Depending on your adoption, the options below may be available to you and your students.

      Traditional Delivery Option
    • Purchase Books: New or used titles available in hardcover, paperback, and loose-leaf
    • Rent Books: Available on select titles
    • Digital Book Version: Available on select titles at the Rocker Shop
    • Access Codes: Book bundled with code or access code only
    • Print On Demand (POD): Not stocked by the publishers; requires longer delivery time; no returns - high risk title
      First Day Access/Inclusive Access - The #1 Trend in Course Material Delivery
    • 100% available on or before the first day of class to you and your students
    • More affordable course materials - savings up to 40%!
    • Print options available on select titles
    • Rocker Shop coordinates services
    • Check out this video to hear what faculty at Texas A&M University had to say about First Day Access.
    • For more information, check out our First Day Access page or contact Jennifer Bauer at the Rocker Shop.
      Mandatory Publisher Rental
    • Transaction completed by the Rocker Shop
    • No purchase available - dictated by publisher
    • Publisher determines titles to be rented - Rocker Shop has no say
    • You will be notified if your adoption fits into this category
      Custom Publication
    • Custom printed course notes and material
    • Allow 4-6 weeks lead time for approval and production
      Open Educational Resources (OER)

    The Rocker Shop facilitates all these options for you and is here to help you navigate through this new landscape. For more information, contact the Rocker Shop.

    Answers to 3 Big Faculty Questions About Adoptions

      Why order books for a new semester when the term has just begun?
    • Book prices hinge on supply and demand. Early adoptions allow students to buy and sell books at prime times when they can save the most or get the best prices. They also give students access to more used books. Studies show students are less likely to buy books — and be prepared for class — if prices are high.
      Why would my students want to sell their books?
    • Textbook costs have soared 73% in recent years. Many students are food insecure. Some are at risk of homelessness. The $50 savings a student receives from a used book or a timely adoption could be his or her grocery money. It could also be money needed for books next semester.
      Why would early orders help my students get more money back for their books?
    • When you order early, the bookstore knows whether the text will be in demand on campus, and it can offer a higher price for the text than students would get from an outside vendor. The best deals are available locally. Don’t forget: the additional $50 a student makes from that book might be the different between paying December rent — or not.

    Updated as of 03/2019