Do I have to buy my books from the SMC Campus bookstore?
No, you do not buy from the campus bookstore but there are some factors to consider.
- If you have a book voucher from programs such as EOPS or the Promise program you will only be able to use that voucher in the bookstore.
- The price in the bookstore may not be cheaper than an outside vendor but the pacakge in the bookstore might include additional materials.
- Many books, epecially mathematics books are now ditigal and come with access codes for on-line homework systems. You can often buy different lengths of access, such as 18 week or 24 months. The 18 week codes are often cheaper but access is only for 18 weeks, if you think you might need longer access you will have to purchase a new code. If you buy a 24 month code if for whatever reason you need to re-take a course within those 24 months the code will work for the 24 months.
- All math classes have material that must be purchased for that class; the exact requirements for each teacher can be found listed by semester under Current Students.
- If your teacher requires an access code for on-line homework buying a used book will generally not include the access code.
- If your teacher requires an access code found in the SMC packages and you chose to purchase the text from another vendor, it is your responsibility to purchase the access code that will work with the SMC system as a standalone access code. Be wary of third party sellers, often the access codes from such sites are not legitimate.
- Customized can mean one of two things: the content is identical to national versions but the layout, cover or printing method has been changed to reduce costs OR the book is a merging of multiple texts. Currently the Math 28 textbook is truly different than any national versions and extreme caution should be exercised before purchasing either book from a source other than the SMC bookstore.