FRANKFORT, KY – Kentucky State University (KSU) has announced that the university is making college more affordable for students by partnering with Pearson, a New York-based learning company, to offer e-textbooks to all KSU students for a flat fee. While Pearson has agreed to offer a flat fee, KSU has offered to cover the other half by providing a book scholarship to every student, which means the books are free.
“Some traditional textbooks can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 apiece. And the fact is, some students simply cannot afford to buy all the textbooks required for their course load,” said Aaron Thompson, Ph.D., interim president, Kentucky State University. “We want our students to be successful, and numerous studies have shown that if students do not have their books during the first few days of school, their success rate is seriously diminished.”
While many institutions have leveraged digital course materials delivery models at the individual course level, KSU is one of the only two institutions in the country and is the only institution in Kentucky currently working with Pearson to delivery course material digitally college-wide, to undergraduate to graduate level students.
“We want to ensure that all our students have equitable access to required course materials the very first day they walk into the classroom,” said Candice Jackson, Ph.D., acting vice president for Academic Affairs, Kentucky State University. “If a student does not own a computer, not to worry. Students can choose to rent a computer for a small use fee, or the university will offer free computer at convenient locations all over campus which includes, dorm, computer labs and the library.”
Kentucky State University is recognizes that providing comprehensive support both inside and outside the classroom is a key to student success. To provide student with crucial academic and technical support, KSU has created a technical help desk and Smarthinking online tutoring services part of its partnership with Pearson.
“There are some outstanding things happening at Kentucky State University and this is one of them,” said Thompson. “We are thrilled to be able to offer the free electronic textbooks to our students.”
About Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University, building on its legacy of achievement as a historically black, liberal arts, and 1890 Land Grant University, affords access to and prepares a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students to compete in a multifaceted, ever-changing global society by providing student-centered learning while integrating teaching, research and service through high-quality undergraduate and select graduate programs. Located in Frantfort, Kentucky, KYSU offers associate (two-year) degrees in two disciplines, baccalaureate (four-year) degrees in 24 disciplines, master’s degrees in eight disciplines, and one advanced practice doctorate in Nuring. KYSU has 129 full-time instructional faculty members and more than 1,700 students.
For more information about Kentucky State University and in all thing excellence, visit their website at www.kysu.edu or call (502) 597-6000.
Source: http://kysu.edu/2016/08/04/kentucky-state-university-announces-free-e-textbooks-for-students/.
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