Understanding the Panther Book Pack

The FIU Panther Book Pack is an inclusive access textbook affordability initiative to significantly reduce textbook material costs for all undergraduate courses. It is being piloted at FIU in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 for the Florida State University System in partnership with Barnes & Noble, the University’s on-campus bookstore.

The Panther Book Pack program generates significant savings to our students and ensures equitable access to course materials on the first day of class. It is designed to meet our students’ individual needs semester to semester. Students who do not wish to participate in the Panther Book Pack program may opt out for the semester until the cancellation of the enrollment date for that term (see Academic Calendar) 

What Students Need to Know

Student Benefits of the FIU Panther Book Pack 

Our students will be assured that the cost to rent required course materials will never be more than $20 per undergraduate credit (that adds up to $240 for full-time, 12-credit course load). Through the automatic enrollment in the Panther Book Pack program, students will receive/have access to all their required print/digital course materials by the first day of class.

FIU Panther Book Pack Student Process Overview

Panther Book Pack Exclusions

PBP will include only required course materials in print rental or digital formats. The following items are excluded from the PBP program: adopted school supplies, kits, uniforms, art supplies, calculators, non-required course materials, and items not sourced by the bookstore.

Please visit bookpack.fiu.edu for additional Panther Book Pack student information.

What Faculty and Staff Need to Know

An Innovative Textbook Affordability Model

Barnes & Noble has implemented inclusive access programs similar to the FIU Panther Book Pack at other universities but none at an institution as large as FIU and at the lowest rate of $20 per undergraduate credit hour. That’s due to the size of FIU’s undergraduate student body (nearly 50,000) and the many low- and no-cost textbook and course material choices by our faculty over the past years.

Student Benefits of the FIU Panther Book Pack 

Our students will be assured that the cost to rent required course materials will never be more than $20 per undergraduate credit (that adds up to $240 for full-time, 12-credit course load). Through the automatic enrollment in the Panther Book Pack program, students will receive/have access to all their required print and digital course materials by the first day of class.

Why are FIU and Barnes & Noble Partnering for this Initiative?

FIU and Barnes & Noble both recognize that making textbooks and course materials more affordable is directly linked to our students’ success. The Panther Book Pack initiative generates discounts of up to 50% and seamlessly provides required course materials to our students by the first day of class, all while faculty retain full choice of course materials and students the ability to opt out. Barnes & Noble is FIU’s exclusive on-campus bookstore and has been a valued partner in reducing textbook and course material costs for our students for over a decade.

Selection of Textbooks and Course Materials

Faculty do not need to change previously adopted materials. They are free to select the materials and the preferred format that is deemed most effective. Academic freedom is preserved. Older editions/out of print items cannot be guaranteed in high quantities. Faculty are encouraged to adopt current editions.

Custom Textbooks

Custom textbooks may be adopted under the Panther Book Pack as was the case before.

Using OER and other Low-/No-Cost Materials

Open educational materials (OER) and other low-/no-cost materials less than $20 per credit hour would still provide students savings on their overall semester textbook costs by paying a flat rate for the semester.  Additionally, adopting low-/cost materials and open educational materials will help maintain the low Panther Book Pack subscription rate for all undergraduate courses at FIU.  

Textbook Adoptions

Instructors are still required to submit their textbook and course material adoptions by the legal adoption deadline (at least 45 days prior to the first day of the semester) in the Adoptions & Insights Portal (AIP). However, in order for Barnes & Noble to provide the enormous volume of print and digital course materials for all courses on time, it is important adoptions are submitted as early as possible.

Textbook Adoptions Due Dates

Due to the substantial increase in textbooks to be fulfilled by FIU Barnes & Noble under the Panther Book Pack program, faculty’s early adoptions in the Adoptions & Insights Portal (AIP) are the most critical contribution towards making this program a success.  Early adoptions are necessary to provide Barnes & Noble adequate time to process the textbook adoptions and ensure students receive their course materials by the first day of the semester. Multiple reminders will be sent to the instructors and departmental staff.

Upcoming textbook adoptions deadlines:

Textbooks Used Across Multiple Semesters

The Panther Book Pack subscription rate is calculated by credit hour not by individual course. If a student determines his/her semester textbook costs for all courses is less than the Panther Book Pack rate, he/she may opt out of the program for that semester. 

More Convenient Digital Materials Access

In the past, students had to go through multiple platforms to access their digital materials. Through the Panther Book Pack program, all digital materials will be accessed conveniently through Canvas. Since this is a new approach, the FIU Barnes & Noble team will provide support to faculty and students to ensure a smooth transition.

Language to be Used on Course Syllabi

Faculty are encouraged to use the following language in their syllabi:

“FIU has implemented the Panther Book Pack rental program, which provides your required print and digital course materials at a flat rate of $20 per undergraduate credit hour. When you registered for your classes this session, you were notified via email of the required course materials that are included in the Panther Book Pack. The Panther Book Pack program applies to all undergraduate credit hours per academic session. I recommend that you review the pricing for all materials across your classes this session compared to the Panther Book Pack flat rate. If the Panther Book Pack is not your best option, you may opt out up to three days after the add/drop deadline. You may opt back into the Panther Book Pack up to three days after the add/drop deadline. If you do not opt out of the Panther Book Pack rental program, you will be charged $20 per credit hour and the course materials will be reserved for you for the undergraduate courses for which you are registered. For more details, visit bookpack.fiu.edu”

Return of Course Materials at the End of the Semester

There will be several drop-off points around our campuses to make the returning of course materials during the last week of class and the following week as convenient as possible. Students may also ship their materials back to the FIU Barnes & Noble bookstore. There is also the option to purchase any materials that students may wish to retain (print as well as digital access). Instructions for returning course materials will be sent to students at the conclusion of each semester.

More questions? Please visit FIU Panther Book Pack program website.

Suggestions or concerns? Please contact Gitta Montoto, Chair of the Textbook Affordability Task Force, by email at gmontoto@fiu.edu or 305-348-3763.

Contacts