Bulldog Bundle course material program targets increased student success at ��Ƶ

Students studying on ��Ƶ's Drill Field — Photo by Megan Bean

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Starting a new semester is getting easier and more affordable at ��Ƶ, thanks to a new course material program designed to increase student success.

With the launch of Bulldog Bundle, undergraduates now have access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, digital materials and electronic books in a convenient bundle before the first day of class at average student savings of between 35-50%. The Bulldog Bundle program is being launched in partnership with Barnes & Noble College, which manages the Barnes & Noble at ��Ƶ bookstore.

Through the First Day Complete equitable access course material delivery model, the Bulldog Bundle program will allow students to access all their course materials before the first day of class. Instead of purchasing materials a la carte, the cost is “bundled” in each student’s account at the same time tuition is charged. Bulldog Bundle is available to all undergraduates attending Mississippi State’s Starkville and Meridian campuses, as well as online students.

In a 2021 Student Pulse survey at Mississippi State, conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights, 90% of respondents indicated that they would like to access course materials bundled with tuition.

“Our students spoke about the challenges of textbook affordability, and we listened,” said ��Ƶ Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt. “Introducing Bulldog Bundle will ensure that students are better prepared for the academic term while providing significant cost savings on required course materials. Ultimately, it’s a solution that will lead to improved academic outcomes and greater student success.”

Bulldog Bundle also fully supports academic freedom and faculty choice by allowing instructors to choose the materials that are best suited for their teaching, regardless of publisher or format.

Through the new partnership with Barnes & Noble College, students will receive an email from the ��Ƶ bookstore prompting them to select their preferred delivery method. The bookstore will prepare materials for each student and notify them when materials have shipped or are available for in-store pickup. Digital materials will be delivered within Canvas, the university’s online course management system.

Students will be able to see comparable prices for purchasing textbooks outside of the program at the time they register. In most cases, Bulldog Bundle will provide significant savings. Students also may opt out of the program each semester and purchase books elsewhere.

Mississippi State will implement Bulldog Bundle this August for the fall term.

“We look forward to working with ��Ƶ to enhance the student experience through this new model of course material delivery,” said Jonathan Shar, President of Barnes & Noble College. “Bulldog Bundle will ensure students are prepared to begin learning on day one, driving greater student success while also offering a more affordable and convenient way for students to obtain their course materials.”

Barnes & Noble College, a company, currently operates more than 770 campus stores nationwide. For more information about Barnes & Noble College’s services and locations, visit .

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