Student Empowerment and a new model of supply: Free Books through the No Hidden Extras Scheme

Background No Hidden Extras is the University’s response to the increase in student fees in 2012, and has been in place since then The Promise is that students will not have to find any further costs to support their studies beyond their basic living costs

Key Drivers  Recruitment - influence students’ choice of university through commitment to minimising ‘hidden extras’  Student satisfaction - tangible enhancement of the student experience, impact on NSS scores!  Pedagogical - critical to achieving course learning goals  Widening participation – equal access to core material

No Hidden Extras Each student paying full fees to receive up to £250 per year in learning materials to support their course  Start Up Packs – e.g. protective clothing, Sports Kit,  Software, laptops, professional subscriptions, art materials printing credits  field trips/day visits  support grants for placements, overseas experience, or international travel

..AND Textbooks!! Textbooks supplied to approx. 80% of first years in Managed by the library Distributed at the beginning of the academic year

An enormous logistical Operation! Had to undertake a tender exercise to identify a supplier Had to gather requirements from lecturers across 120 courses Need to estimate likely student numbers in advance of A Level results And find a venue big enough!

Distributed 20,000 books to 3,400 students over 3 week period! Books packed by course into “Amazon- style” boxes for issue Packs issued to student record

Key Challenges Getting the reading lists back from lecturers on time! Ensuring books accurately ordered, packed and delivered to campus for start of induction week Fluctuating student numbers during clearing process – some courses over-recruiting

: Bigger and Better! Year Two students were also now eligible We distributed 40,000 books to 7,200 students! A small e-book pilot as an alternative to print –Students downloaded a personal e-copy of the textbook from our VLE which they held on up to 4 devices, such as laptops, tablets and smartphones –Conducted with computer science students

Year Three students were also now eligible! But were given credit rather than textbooks – to spend in an online store

Online Store Texts selected from module reading lists Students set up an account as soon as they enrol Can buy e as well as print Can “top up” their account with their own money Books despatched by Royal Mail to student’s address

No Hidden Extras Some background facts and figures Peter Lake March 2015

Free Book Distribution 601 individual titles 8,482 1 st and 2 nd year undergraduates 44,351 books distributed

Book vouchers 3 rd year students Part- time students Additional £250k spent to date on books

Student Satisfaction Our 2014 survey found that 75% students strongly agreed receipt of books will assist their academic achievement 82% strongly agreed that that receipt of books increased their level of satisfaction with the course. 75% were very happy with the distribution process!

Some Lessons Learned  Finding suitable space can be problematic  when to use a forklift truck or a pallet truck!  very labour-intensive for University and supplier staff  student numbers are a moving target  there will always be delays…. allow for them!  communicate with students  use suitable packaging

The impact on the library: Are we digging our own grave?! Although book loans have declined by 11% over the last two years, footfall in the library has increased by 10% Students still value the library as a place to study and receive support and advice The library has reinforced its good reputation within the University, and ensured that we are at the heart of the student learning experience at Coventry

The impact on our suppliers: a new model for the future? Need for large orders well in advance of distribution (May/June) to secure stock Suppliers likely to need considerable credit! Need for flexibility in response to fluctuating numbers and requirements – often identified at the last minute! We are the only institution attempting this on this scale!

Measuring the benefits It’s an expensive project, is it worth it?! –Books are obviously popular with students –Coventry are rising up the league tables (Voted Best Modern University two years in a row) –We are currently conducting a review, examining such areas as student retention, attainment and satisfaction –Initial findings indicate this is starting to impact on recruitment

Kayleigh Mountford First year Criminology Undergraduate From a low income family, so money was a significant factor when choosing university Chose Coventry because:- –International Field Trips –Advantage Modules –Centre for Academic Writing –No Hidden Extras - especially the book bundles Textbooks are essential, but expensive! (c.£300 a year on average) Coventry is therefore great value for money

Kayleigh (continued) Having my own copy makes a big difference in terms of convenience and access – I commute to university so not always able to access the library Has had a positive impact on my grades so far Some downsides? –Carrying the books around and commuting!

Saloni Gankar Final year Electrical and Electronic Engineering undergraduate Library Representative for Engineering and Computing International student Direct second year entry Second year : received Specific Books (weren't useful at all) Final year: £150 online credit

Saloni Gankar (continued) Positive point - Vouchers – very useful, easy to use, available always, can make notes on the books and have contributed to getting good grades Negative point – Delays in getting some books Open days – I act as a student ambassador – parents and students love the idea of NO HIDDEN EXTRAS

Any Questions?