College of Staten Island Launches New Online Bookstore to Improve Overall Campus Experience

The College of Staten Island, a four-year, senior college of The City University of New York, officially joined many of their fellow system schools in partnering with Akademos to transition to an online bookstore. The launch of the new bookstore platform will reduce the cost of course materials and provide a customized experience for students and faculty. The move online also frees up physical space on the New York City campus for a student center.

 “Our aspiration as a college is to create a rigorous education that will enhance the career advancement of students from diverse backgrounds — and removing barriers to affordability and access is a critical component of that work,” said Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Interim President at CSI. “Shifting our bookstore experience online will not only offer students greater access to a variety of course materials at the lowest cost, it will also help us address the way COVID-19 has changed the needs of our campus community.”

Rising textbook costs continue to be a major driver for the overall cost of a college education. Nationally, textbook prices have continued to outstrip the cost of most other consumer goods, adjusted for inflation. A survey of more than 22,000 college students also found that the cost of required textbooks can have a negative impact on student success, with some respondents indicating high prices can lead to earning a poor grade, failing a course, or not registering for a course.

The College of Staten Island also places a high value on fostering a supportive community and will now be able to use the former bookstore space to do just that. In a post-pandemic world, providing new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to create personal connections in a safe environment is immeasurable.

“As city colleges and universities continue to explore new and creative approaches to enhance and improve the student experience, an online bookstore helps ensure the best possible value,” said Raj Kaji, CEO of Akademos. “The College of Staten Island’s innovative approach to course materials will help make possible a high-quality, affordable, educational experience for their diverse population of students.”

About the College of Staten Island: 

The College of Staten Island is a four-year, senior college of The City University of New York that offers exceptional opportunities to all of its students. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in addition to housing a number of nationally accredited degree programs. Programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional studies lead to associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Doctoral degrees are offered at the College or jointly with The Graduate Center of The City University of New York. The College has received national recognition celebrating its quality and value from Washington Monthly, Forbes, Money magazine, U.S. News & World Report, G.I. Jobs, PayScale College Salary Report, CollegeNET, Business Insider, The Princeton Review, and TIME magazine. For more information visit csi.cuny.edu

About Akademos

More than just an online bookstore, an Akademos technology-driven solution is a customizable bookstore experience every unique institution can benefit from. Whether the bookstore is a service for students or a revenue generator, the platform supports prioritizing readiness, textbook affordability, and retention with all models including Equitable Access, Inclusive Access, Student Choice, or a combination. All aspects of textbook and course material purchasing and delivery are taken care of so you can focus on what matters – student success. A true partnership – Akademos provides unmatched customer support along with access to tools and analytics needed to take each student’s college experience to the next level. Learn more at akademos.com.