Providing Students Digital Course Materials on Day One

St. Lawrence University's Day One Digital program provides students with available digital course materials and courseware AUTOMATICALLY on the first day of class. Day One Digital converts physical course materials into accessible, interactive, and adaptive digital content, while reducing the cost to students. No waiting for a paper book. No special trips to the bookstore to buy an access code. Day 1 Digital course materials are charged directly to your student account.

Please Note: Many, but not all materials are available digitally as part of this program. Those not offered will need to be purchased separately. Students will receive an email prior to the beginning of the semester to let them know which materials are included for the classes they are registered for. If the student does not receive an email, they do not have any materials available to them in the D1D program.

NOTE: The Opt-out Deadline for Spring 2026 is 1/29/2026 to receive a refund

General Info

Day One Digital offers:

Immediate access to critical learning resources through Canvas, or digital access codes on the first day of class

Robust, interactive digital content that improves student success

Reduced costs to the students compared to current print/digital options

Increased student engagement

No hassle with paper access codes

How does Day One Digital work?

During the adoption period, the bookstore identifies which classes are eligible

Brewer Bookstore and VitalSource coordinate digital course materials setup and cost savings with publishers.

Faculty receive instructions to link Canvas to digital course materials.

Brewer Bookstore facilitates communication about Day One Digital to students via emails, in-store, and online postings.

The Brewer Bookstore and Student Financial Services work together to list Day One Digital charges on student bills, along with tuition and fees.

Students log in to Canvas and have immediate access to their digital course materials on the first day of class.

Benefits of Day One Digital:

Students get access to digital class materials the first day of class, avoiding hassles with shipping, stock, etc.

Students get course materials at a highly reduced rate.

Students pay for class materials the same way they pay for tuition and fees, which allows them to use scholarships and other financial aid to cover the costs (this especially benefits veterans, student-athletes, and other sponsored students).

FAQ

How do I know if I have a D1D material?

You will have received an email notifying you if a D1D material has been assigned to you. Additionally, you can check for any assigned materials by clicking on the Day 1 Digital link located on the left-hand side of your course page in Canvas. If there is no D1D link in your Canvas course, then that class does not have D1D material associated with it. It’s always best to refer to the email you received, as some faculty may not activate their Canvas site until after the first day of class. While this is uncommon, it can happen. You can also ask your instructor if the class has D1D material associated with it. Keep in mind that not all materials and not all classes participate in the D1D program.

Do all classes have D1D materials?

No, not all classes have materials available through the D1D program.

What is Day One Digital?

The Day One Digital program at St. Lawrence University is part of a national Inclusive Access model in which publishers and higher education institutions provide timely course materials to students at the lowest possible price. Students in a Day One Digital class pay for and receive digital content, which lowers costs for everyone. Students are billed for the materials specific to the classes they are registered for along with their usual tuition and fees.

What is an Interactive or Adaptive Learning Platform (courseware)?

Interactive Learning Platforms, also called ILPs or courseware, are much more than just eBooks. They are interactive software platforms developed to provide an enhanced learning experience beyond reading the text. They may include video and audio presentations, animations, adaptive quizzes, and homework sets. Courseware can also include various levels of instructor customization, peer-to-peer note sharing, flash cards, eBook searchability and other study aids.

How much does Day One Digital cost?

Day One Digital prices vary depending on the course materials chosen by the instructor, and whether the material includes courseware or ILP, but most Day One Digital prices are significantly lower than both the physical copy price and publishers' listed prices.

How will I get my access code?

You will access most books via Canvas without needing an access code, but if your material uses a code, you may receive it via email or from your professor.

How do I pay for Day One Digital?

When you register for a Day One Digital class, you will see a charge on your student bill that includes the class and the name of the material (ex: GNDR321: Gender Through the Pri) in your SLU portal. When you have a Day One Digital material, there will be nothing tangible to purchase from the Brewer Bookstore. You will have access to your digital course materials via Canvas from the first day of class. If you prefer to use physical materials, you can opt-out of Day One Digital by 1/29/26 to be refunded the electronic course materials charge. You will then be responsible for sourcing your own physical materials.

NOTE: You must opt-out by 1/29/2026 to receive a refund

Click here for a video that shows how to opt out: D1D Opt Out (screencasthost.com)

Opting Out

What does it mean to opt out? How do I opt out?

If you do not want to receive digital course material through this Day One Digital model, you can opt-out and receive a refund. Don’t wait! Opt-outs are only accepted until 1/31/25. Access to the digital course material will be revoked at the time you opt out and you will be responsible to find the required course material by other means. The Brewer Bookstore will have limited physical stock for Day One Digital classes. The opt-out procedure will be outlined in an email sent at the beginning of the semester.

Click here for a video that shows how to opt out: D1D Opt Out (screencasthost.com)

NOTE: You must opt-out by 1/29/2026 to receive a refund

I opted out by mistake and realized that I still need my access. Can I opt back in?

Yes. Simply click on the link you used to opt out and you can opt back in. If that doesn't work you can email the bookstore team at bookstore@stlawu.edu to request that your access be reinstated. Please give your full name, Student ID, class and section number you are enrolled in when you email.

I did not opt out, but I did not register my access or use the online platform. Will I still be billed?

Yes. All students who are enrolled in a course using Day One Digital are automatically considered part of the program. To avoid paying for the material, you must opt out before the deadline.

I found a pdf online of the book will I be charged?

You are free to get your materials elsewhere, but you must opt out prior to 9/10/25 to not be charged.
Please be aware that using unapproved material may have legal implications. Ensure any PDFs you find online are free to use and not in violation of copyright laws.

If I borrow my friends’ book, will I be charged?

You are free to get your materials elsewhere, but you must opt out prior to 1/29/26 to not be charged.

I found the book at the library; will I be charged?

You are free to get your materials elsewhere, but you must opt out prior to 1/29/26 to not be charged.

What if the book is optional, will I be charged?

Yes, you will be charged unless you opt out prior to 1/29/26. It’s always best to check with your instructor if you’re unsure whether you’ll need the material.

What if I find it cheaper elsewhere?

You are free to get your materials elsewhere, but you must opt out prior to 1/29/26 to not be charged.

I dropped the course. Do I still need to opt out?

Students who drop the course before the end of the Add/Drop period of the semester will automatically be opted out and will not be billed. Students who drop after the 1/29/26 deadline will be billed.

What if I drop the course? Can I still get a full refund?

Students who drop the course before the end of the Add/Drop period of the semester will automatically be opted out and will not be billed. Students who drop after the 1/29/26 deadline will be billed.

I forgot to opt out and missed the deadline. Can I get a refund now?

Unfortunately, no. You must opt out prior to the 1/29/26 deadline to receive any refund.

What if I did not use the material during the semester, can I opt out for a refund?

Unfortunately, no. You must opt out prior to the 1/29/26 deadline to receive any refund.

I am waitlisted for the course. Will I still have access to the digital course material and do I need to opt out if I don't get into the course?

Only enrolled students have access to the content on day one of class. If you are on the waitlist for a class, you will not have access to the materials until you are officially enrolled in the class.

Who should I contact if I am having trouble with access to the online content?

First, try the online help desk of the publisher for your course’s content or talk with your professor. If you cannot find who your publisher is, or if you are unable to get a resolution from the publisher, please email the bookstore at bookstore@stlawu.edu for further assistance.

Faculty Information

I'm a professor and want to know more about the Day One Digital program. Who do I contact?

When textbook and course material adoptions open for the upcoming semester, please check your email for additional information on Day One Digital. You can also email bookstore@stlawu.edu for guidance. Please note that Day One Digital adoptions must be submitted by the term's adoption deadline, or you may not be able to participate in the program. All adoptions, Day One Digital or otherwise, must be submitted through the Brewer Bookstore, in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

Please note that any adoptions submitted past the adoption deadlines will be subject to approval on a case-by-case basis, in the order they were received and based on the workload of the bookstore team. All Day One Digital charges must be approved by SFS and added before registration begins.

If you have missed your adoption deadline, please email bookstore@stlawu.edu or call the Bookstore Course Materials Department at 315-229-5832 to get started. We will help you review your current adoption and partner with our publisher contacts to determine availability and pricing.

Author:	Tabor James M.
Publisher:	W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN:	9781324036029
Year:	2026-06-09

Lightning Beneath the Sea: The Race to Wire the World and the Dawn of the Information Age