In an email sent to campus Jan. 12, Cal State Fullerton announced that the SmartAccess Program would be delayed until the spring 2027 semester.

Previously slated to go into effect in the spring 2026 semester, SmartAccess is an update to Titan Direct Access, the current textbook and course material source run by CSUF Auxiliary Services that allows students to access titles at potentially discounted prices.

With the current Titan Direct Access program scheduled for this semester, students will have free access to course materials for the first two weeks of classes. If they choose not to opt out of the program by Feb. 3, they will be automatically billed by Titan Shops and must make a payment before Feb. 13. 

“To ensure the program is implemented thoughtfully and with broader and continued campus stakeholder input, CSUF has postponed its rollout until Spring 2027,” CSUF Director pf Auxiliary Enterprises Kimberly Ball relayed in a statement on behalf of the university.

Students are automatically enrolled into SmartAccess+, where they can choose to pay a flat rate semesterly for all course materials, completely opt out of the program or choose which titles to buy at their discounted prices with the SmartAccess Flex option. 

While initial calculations put the cost of SmartAccess+ at $245 a semester, the SmartAccess website now states that SmartAccess+ is “offered at a flat rate per semester,” though for SmartAccess Flex, costs will vary depending on the titles students choose to keep for the semester.

Open Education Resources, or free educational resources are still being offered this semester via Canvas. Additionally, resources available through the Pollak Library will be incorporated into students’ Canvas booklists at no charge to students. Students who opt out of the SmartAccess program will still be able to access OER resources.

The deferred rollout of SmartAccess will not affect the availability of students’ course materials, nor will it affect Titan Direct Access. 

No clarifications on program updates were provided on what students can expect to the program next spring, but Ball relayed that university will continue to solicit feedback from campus stakeholders and “evaluate best practices from programs at other universities.”

Participation in the program can be modified through the student portal, or under the “course materials” tab of their Canvas dashboard. This will redirect students to the VitalSource portal.

Students who opt-out or miss the payment deadline will not be eligible for discounted prices.