Fullerton College Bookstore Transitions Operations to Follett
Fullerton College has begun a new partnership with Follett Corporation to operate the Fullerton College Bookstore. Follett, which is the largest campus retailer in North America with more than 1,100 campus locations, will begin operating the bookstore on Nov. 15, 2021.
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to read the FAQs below to learn more about the transition and how it will impact their book orders, gift cards, and more.
With more than 140 years of experience in higher education, Follett brings the necessary industry expertise to the Fullerton College Bookstore campus retail operations. The company boasts an extensive range of cost-saving course material options; integrated technology that seamlessly connects students and faculty to the materials needed for academic success; a broad assortment of on-trend, branded merchandise; and a top-ranked online channel that delivers even more inventory and a world-class shopping experience.
Fullerton College students will benefit from one of Follett’s fundamental missions – and that’s delivering course materials that are more affordable and accessible than ever before. Options include new and used course materials; digital materials like eBooks, digital courseware, and Open Educational Resources; and the company’s flagship text rental program, which can help students save up to 80 percent compared to purchasing new.
The campus community will no doubt welcome Follett’s fresh take on Fullerton College branded apparel, gifts, and supplies. With on-trend styles and fan accessories, students, campus members, alumni, and fans will have access to the gear they need to commemorate achievements and celebrate school pride. Follett is dedicated to cultivating a retail environment that drives the Fullerton College brand and campus culture, both in-store and online.
Follett’s collegiate online expertise is being extended to the Fullerton College campus store’s online channel, where shoppers can experience Follett’s renowned e-commerce platform. The company’s platform, supported by today’s leading technology, was ranked #57 on Digital Commerce 360’s 2021 Top 1000 list. Online shoppers can find an expanded assortment of merchandise – beyond what’s offered in-store – and enjoy 24/7 access to the products and course materials they need.
Follett’s partnership brings the right merchandise, necessary technology, and innovative solutions to serve the Fullerton College community – anytime, anywhere, no matter how learning and celebrating is taking place. For details on the full breadth
of the new campus store products and services, visit the Fullerton College bookstore website on Nov. 15, 2021.
FAQs
What’s Changing?
The Fullerton College leadership is committed to the success of our students. One continuing barrier to student success is the high cost of course materials. Our instructional and student services departments, in partnership with our College bookstores, have made great strides in lowering the cost of course materials for students. This has included a combination of zero-cost Open Educational Resources (OER), low-cost digital, rental and used course materials options. Although we are proud of our efforts so far, we know there is more that we can do.
To support our continued drive to serve students, provide affordable course materials options, as well as a robust eCommerce platform, we have entered into a partnership with Follett Higher Education Group (Follett) to manage and operate our Fullerton College bookstore.
Why Follett?
Follett has been in the higher education industry for more than a hundred and forty years. They operate over one hundred two-year and four-year college bookstores in California and over eleven hundred college bookstores throughout the United States and Canada.
Follett’s expansive supply chain, economies of scale, innovative technology and course materials solutions, focus on student affordability, and experience serving California Community Colleges will drive increased course materials savings for students. Follett supports course materials affordability through the nation’s largest textbook rental program, an extensive selection of used, digital, new and OER course materials, as well as Follett’s price matching program.
When will the partnership with Follett begin?
The partnership with Follett will officially begin on November 15th 2021. Due to the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, Follett will begin operating the Fullerton College Bookstore with similar hours to the current operation. Additional hours will be added as student populations return and as we approach the spring term start. The bookstore website will be an option for 24/7 product needs.
Will there be new Bookstore websites?
Yes; the College’s new Bookstore websites will be available on November 15th 2021. It will feature a modern design and enhanced functionality. Students will be able to search for course materials by student ID, or by class. Cypress College’s online bookstore provides an example of the planned design and functionality of the new website.
STUDENTS
How do I purchase my course materials?
Once the new College Bookstore website is available on November 15th, there will a number of ways for you to locate and purchase your course materials. Planned methods include:
- Enter your Student ID on the College Bookstore website. This will also take you to a personalized page, specific to your class enrollments, where you can review and purchase all course materials.
- You will also be able to search for your course materials by class.
How do I purchase supplies and clothing?
Once the new College Bookstore website is available on November 15th, there will be a variety of supplies available for purchase. Clothing, gift, and other assortments will be increasing in the coming weeks as products arrive in store. Visit the bookstore on campus and/or check the website for additional product options.
Can I purchase technology through Follett?
Yes. Once the College store website is live, you will be able to purchase a variety of technology items.
Can I rent textbooks at the bookstore?
Yes. Textbook rentals will be an option for most adopted materials, and you can choose to rent when you are conducting your purchase on the website. A credit or debit card is required for collateral to rent books. To learn more about the textbook rental program and to pre-register to rent, visit https://www.follettrental.com.
How do I use my financial aid through the bookstore?
Financial aid authorized for use at the College Stores (e.g. EOPS textbook vouchers) will be set up as a payment type for students to use at the College Bookstore website. Your student ID number will be required to make a financial aid purchase on the website.
Can I use a previous bookstore Gift Card or gift certificate at the Follett Bookstore?
Yes but only in person at the campus bookstore at this time.
How do I purchase a Gift Card/eGift Card through Follett?
Gift cards are available for purchase through the College store website and will be available in store upon reopening as well.
What is the shipping method and will tracking information be provided?
All shipments will be made via UPS or USPS and tracking information is provided with the order confirmation email.
Will in store and off campus pickups still be provided?
Yes. In-store pick up and curbside pick up will be options during business hours. Please check our website for updated store hours.
Do you ship to a PO Box and international addresses?
Yes.
How long before I receive my online order?
That depends on your geographical distance to the bookstore(s). Most shipments of physical materials will be received within 3-7 business days in the greater Los Angeles area. Expedited shipping is available for an extra charge. Most items will be shipped directly from your on-campus bookstore, but a larger product selection will be available online and could be fulfilled by another Follett location or directly from a vendor which could extend delivery dates.
What is the general return policy?
All refunds or exchanges require a valid receipt or packing slip. Shipping and handling fees are not refundable.
Textbooks/Course Materials
- Refunds are given for Course Materials returned before your campus-specific refund deadline*.
- Course Materials purchased after the campus-specific deadline must be returned within 7 business days of purchase for a full refund.
- Course Materials purchased during the last week of classes or final exams are not refundable.
*Contact your school’s bookstore for the campus-specific refund deadline.
Hardware & Software
Bring back unopened computer hardware and software within 14 days of purchase for a full refund. Electronic Software Download (ESD) purchases are Final and Non-Returnable.
Other Merchandise
All other merchandise that is unopened and in original condition can be returned within 30 days of purchase.
*Gift Cards are non-refundable
Where can I sell my books online before November 15th, 2021?
Visit https://www.bkstr.com/cypressstore/home to take advantage of online buyback until your campus store website is active. At that time, you can visit the “Sell Your Textbooks” section located at the bottom of the homepage. You will be able to sell your books in-store upon reopening as well. Check for updated store hours once the website launches on November 15th.
How do I apply for a job with Follett to work at one of the Bookstores?
All permanent bookstore positions will be posted in the Follett Career Center at https://www.follett.com/careerportal/find-career.cfm. Seasonal positions around term starts and ends will be posted at www.folletthiring.com. Select the city that relates to the campus at which you might like to work and click search. There will be Part-Time Team Member positions posted as of October 15th.
FACULTY
How do I order a book for my classes?
Beginning November 1st , all adoption information, including new adoptions or changes to existing adoptions, will be submitted directly to Follett Regional Manager, Mario Villafan. Mario can be contacted at mvillafan@follett.com. Additional information and instructions will be provided to faculty once following the bookstore transition date of November 15th 2021. Follett representative Mario Villafan can be reached at mvillafan@follett.com , or you can contact the bookstore directly after November 15th.
How do I order required supplies for my classes?
Required supplies should be included as part of the textbook adoption information for your classes. If it has not already been submitted with your adoption, please contact Mario Villafan mvillafan@fllett.com with your course information and the details of the necessary supplies.
I create lab materials for my classes and would like the bookstore to sell them. What is the process to ensure my lab materials get printed?
Follett is coordinating the production of all course packs, syllabi, and other materials with Fullerton College and will continue to use Xanedu publishing. A PDF of the material and the information about your course should be sent to Follett representative Mario Villafan at mvillafan@follett.com .
Will Open Educational Resources (OER) be available through bookstore?
Follett supports OER adoptions and will soon launch the Follett Discover adoption tool following the spring semester. Adoptions for courses that are using OER should be submitted to the bookstore in the same manner as those using traditional materials. If print versions of OER are available i.e. Open Stax, they may be made available for purchase to students through the bookstore as well.
Does Follett offer both VitalSource and RedShelf eBook options?
Follett has a partnership with RedShelf to provision and deliver digital content.
Do digital learning materials meet accessibility requirements?
Follett’s digital provider, RedShelf, meets and exceeds industry standards around accessibility. Please find additional information here.
I have books that I typically sell through the bookstore. How do I establish an account as a vendor to ensure a purchase order is sent to me to ship books to Follett for future terms?
If you have previously sold books to any Follett store, you will already be set up as a vendor in the Follett course materials system. So long as the book information is submitted as part of your textbook adoption there will be an order generated for the materials. If you have not been a vendor with any Follett store previously, contact Mario Villafan mvillafan@follett.com to initiate the process.
We are assuming that books purchased now for fall will be fulfilled, but at what point will books have to be ordered under Follett’s systems, and conversely at what point should students no longer order books using the current system?
The Follett campus store website will be launched November 15th and all orders submitted after that time will be fulfilled by Follett.
Still have a question?
Please submit your question to Mario Villafan at mvillafan@follett.com .
