Access to Course Essentials (ACE) Faculty Information

Deadlines are April 15 for fall semester courses and October 15 for spring semester courses. These deadlines have not changed with the implementation of ACE.

Deadlines have some flexibility. However, it is critical that faculty members submit requests as soon as possible, so that Follet has time to order, receive, and organize materials for students. We aim to provide students with all required materials before or on the first day of classes. Late submissions may result in delays for students.

Academic coordinators and department chairs can submit lists on behalf of faculty.

Please submit requests for course materials through the Discover tool on Canvas. We recognize that some faculty do not use Canvas. However, this tool is more user-friendly than the previous tool and ITS has developed a helpful informational handout on how to submit requests in Canvas.

Yes, please complete the materials request/adoption process. It will take just a moment to indicate through the Canvas Discover tool that you do not need to order materials or that you are using OERs. This ensures that we can track the status of materials for every class.

Check back soon for more information!

Check back soon for more information!

Faculty are responsible for ensuring their course material lists are submitted on time using the Discover tool on Canvas. In most cases, faculty members will submit their lists directly. However, academic coordinators and department chairs can submit lists on behalf of faculty. Departments should determine submission policies in advance.

Course materials include most print-based items, including all textbooks, workbooks, print course packs, journal articles, and assigned reading. Course materials may also include licenses for online resources and homework platforms.

As of Fall 2026, ACE is a new program and is limited to text-based physical and digital materials. However, the program will continue to grow and expand. If you have questions about other materials, or suggestions for improvement/expansion, please contact Sara Masland at sara.masland@pomona.edu.

In some cases, yes. Please contact Huntley Bookstore at 0994mgr@follett.com for more information.

Departments with highly variable materials needs may wish to maintain greater control of orders. In some cases, including materials costs in departmental budget requests may be advisable.

No. The ACE program covers only required course materials. Students can work with the library or Huntley bookstore to access recommended materials. As before, departments may also use internal funding to cover additional expenses.

If you are happy with the free or open educational resources (OERs) you are using, there is no need to make changes. You can continue to use these materials as before. Any efforts that faculty make to select free or open access materials will help control program costs.

Even if you are using OERs, please complete the materials adoption process through Canvas. There is an option to indicate that you are using OERs.

No need to change! You can continue to work with the library as before. Any efforts that faculty make to select free or open access materials will help control program costs.

Even if you are using Course Reserves, please complete the materials adoption process through Canvas.

Currently, we are still working out the specifics for undergraduate students from other Claremont Colleges (CMC, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer and Scripps). Please check back soon for more information.

At this time, the program cannot provide course materials for Pomona College students taking classes at one of the other Claremont Colleges. We hope to expand the program to cover these materials in the future.

At this time, auditors are not included. A student must be enrolled in a course for credit to receive materials through the ACE program. If auditors would like to purchase materials, they can consult with the Huntley Bookstore in the Honnold-Mudd Library.

High school students enrolled in Pomona College courses for credit will be covered.

No. When departments determine that TAs or mentors need materials, they should provide these through their departmental budget.

No. As before, faculty are responsible for obtaining their own desk copies — either by requesting one from the publisher or purchasing through departmental funds. When faculty assign course packs, they will receive a copy.

We encourage faculty to select digital course materials whenever possible, in part because they support inclusion with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers). However, the accessibility of digital materials varies by publisher. The Accessibility Resources and Services office is best positioned to answer questions about accessibility.

No, individual students cannot choose the format of their course materials. Faculty will select the format for all students in each course. Faculty are free to choose the format that best suits their course needs and pedagogy. However, we encourage faculty to select digital materials whenever possible, as these better support accessibility, are more environmentally sustainable, and are less expensive. ACE will provide either a print or digital copy of course materials — not both.

If a student has documented accommodations that require a specific format that differs from what has been selected for the class, they should contact Accessibility Resources and Services for more information.

All required materials are distributed at the start of each semester. We aim to provide access by the first day of class. Students should watch their Pomona College inbox for an email with instructions on how to access their materials before the semester begins.

Digital course materials will be available through Canvas. “My Bookstore Materials” can be found in the “Account” menu on Canvas. Physical course materials will be available for pick up at Huntley Bookstore (in Honnold-Mudd Library).

Yes, you can, and this will make materials easier for students to find! ITS has developed a guide to support adding "My Bookstore Materials" to your Course Navigation Menu in Canvas.

When a student drops a course before the drop deadline, they must return physical course materials to Huntley Bookstore to avoid a charge to their student account.

Students do not need to take any action to return digital materials. These will be automatically returned.

Students will receive an email (at their school email address) within 24–48 hours. This will include details about how to access their materials. Digital materials should be available through Canvas within 24-48 hours. Students will also receive email notification when any required physical materials are available for pick-up at Huntley Bookstore.

Yes. Students will own the physical materials provided through the ACE program. They can keep, sell, or donate their books. However, if a student drops a course before the drop deadline, they will need to return print materials to avoid charges.

Ongoing access to digital materials varies by publisher—some will remain on a student's digital bookshelf long-term, while others expire at the end of the semester.

Important: there are situations when materials will be used in a related course or are otherwise relevant for later coursework. In these cases, students should keep the materials, as they will not be eligible to receive additional copies. Instructors should notify students if they should keep their materials for future coursework.

You are free to adapt this language. To avoid confusing students, please be sure to include reference only to the format you have selected for course materials (physical vs. digital). Currently, we are working on pathways for including students cross-enrolled from other campuses. We will update this language if this is successful:

Beginning in Fall 2026, Pomona College will provide course materials to Pomona students in all Pomona courses, free of charge. Required physical course materials will be available at Huntley Bookstore. Required digital course materials will be available through Canvas. Please refer to the student Access to Course Essentials webpage for more information.

If students should keep their course materials for future coursework, please include this in your syllabus.

Prior to the academic year 2026-27, Pomona College students on financial aid had an allotment of $1,100 in their annual Cost of Attendance (COA) intended to cover the cost of books and supplies. Starting in fall 2026, thanks to the Access to College Essentials program, the cost of books and supplies is already included in the college’s comprehensive fee and no longer listed as a separate item in the financial aid COA. This means that Pomona students will have the fees for their books and materials for their classes covered regardless of their cost.

For any additional questions, please contact Huntley Bookstore at 0994mgr@follett.com or Faculty Fellow Sara Masland at sara.masland@pomona.edu.