The Rensselaer Collegiate Store, located in the basement of the Rensselaer Union, officially opens Oct. 3.
On Saturday, October 3, at 4 p.m., Rensselaer will host a ribbon-cutting for the new Rensselaer Collegiate Store, which is managed by the Follett Higher Education Group. President Shirley Ann Jackson and John Fitzgerald, senior vice president and chief financial officer for Follett Higher Education Group, will offer remarks before officially opening the new store.
A competitive selection process identified Follett as the company with the greatest range of resources, technology, and course material offerings to support the Rensselaer community. The Rensselaer Collegiate Store also will offer supplies, clothing, gifts, general reading, and convenience items.
“The technologically sophisticated Rensselaer community requires more than just a traditional bookstore,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “With Follett as our partner, the Rensselaer Collegiate Store will provide a dynamic retail environment, both in-store and online, that will enhance the student experience, offer outstanding educational resources, and better serve the entire Rensselaer family.”
Rensselaer students will have access to a wide selection of affordable course material options, including the largest inventory of used textbooks in the industry and Follett’s text rental program. Rent-A-Text provides deep discounts of, on average, 50 percent or more compared to purchasing new, while also allowing students to highlight, take notes, and even convert the rental to a purchase should they decide to keep the text.
“We look forward to working with Follett to expand the offerings and services to students, alumni and alumnae, and all members of the Rensselaer community,” said Nick Dvorak ’16, the 126th President of the Union. “Since its founding, the bookstore has always served as the place where campus spirit and academics combine, and this partnership will ensure that continues.”
The Rensselaer Collegiate Store also will offer a collection of digital learning technologies and custom publishing programs, such as Follett’s proprietary BryteWave™ digital reader, which provides powerful study and collaboration tools to drive student engagement and success.
The Campus Computer Store in now co-located in the Rensselaer Collegiate Store to better provide services and products in a more convenient location. The Computer Store technical sales staff will continue to assist customers in determining present and future computing needs. Products will be available both in-store and online through the online textbook portal, eFollett.com.