Course Materials: Inclusive Access

Inclusive Access is a program where publishers contract with the university to deliver online digital textbooks and course materials to students enrolled in a specific course. In inclusive access, students are billed directly for their course materials via their UWM account rather than paying for materials separately.

“Inclusive access” is the industry term for what Follett Higher Education (UWM’s bookstore partner) refers to as “Follett Access,” which consists of “course access” and “total access” models. UWM does not participate in “total access,” but instructors may consider “course access” if they meet the deadlines.

Key Details

  • Lower Costs: The program aims to provide digital course materials to students at a reduced or competitive rate compared to traditional textbooks. Additionally, students are able to use financial aid for course materials because the costs are applied through their student accounts.
  • First-Day Access: Students get access to the required online content and digital textbooks on or before the first day of class, usually through the university’s learning management system (LMS).
  • Automatic Enrollment: Enrolled students are typically opted in automatically, with the material charges applied directly to their student account. Students can opt out before a specific deadline.

Submitting an Inclusive Access Order

Faculty are encouraged to use Open Educational Resources (OER) wherever possible, minimizing or eliminating textbook costs for students. When OER is not feasible, Follett Access represents one alternative in a broader range of textbook adoption choices. To adopt an inclusive access text:

  • Identify the Textbook: Work with the publisher to submit your order to Follett.
  • Coordinate any LMS Integration: Find out from the publisher what is required for integration with Canvas. Faculty should also touch base with CASL by emailing advancing-learning@uwm.edu to ensure their ability to integrate and confirm the accessibility of materials. In that email, indicate the course code and section, publisher associated with the selected course materials, whether a Canvas integration is available through the publisher, and if it’s desired for the course. This information will be required when you fill out the form to apply for a course fee.
  • Provide your materials info to your department business manager: Because fees need to be disclosed before registration and are assigned at the course/section level as part of the scheduling process, you must provide your textbook information to your department business manager prior to January 10 for any adoptions for the *following* academic year (e.g., for adoptions for fall 2027 or spring 2028, orders are due by January 10, 2027).
  • Communicate with Students: Students will need to know how to access the materials on day one:
    • Physical: Available for pickup at the campus store or designated locations; students receive a confirmation email when ready.
    • Digital: Typically accessed via the campus LMS; in some cases, access details are emailed, provided as access codes (via BryteWave Bookshelf, email, or physical codes from the store), or directly on a publisher’s website.

Follett Resources

UWM Resources