Textbook Policy
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Document Number: BOOK--104
Revision #: 2.0
Document Owner: University Provost
Date Last Updated: 12/12/2017
Primary Author: Executive Director of Facilities and Safety
Status: Approved
Date Originally Created: 07/20/2012
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Description: Information about Bookstore textbook policy relative to the ordering of academic material by faculty.
Purpose: Delineation and definition of policy.
Scope: Academic Affairs, Faculty
Responsibility: Bookstore
Executive Director of Facilities and Safety
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Requirements
In order to comply with this policy you should know:
Current University policy
Federal statutes
Terms and Definitions: Additional training
Corrective Action
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Policy Provisions
1. Book Order Deadlines
All faculty members must submit textbook and material requests for all courses offered by the following dates each year:
•On or before October 1 for the spring semester.
•On or before March 1 for the summer semester(s).
•On or before April 1 for the fall semester.
Orders should be submitted via the textbook order form found within the Cumberland University bookstore website, bookstore.cumberland.edu.
No changes to textbook and material requests will be accepted after 45 days prior to the start of the upcoming semester. Should an instructor insist on a change to previously requested textbooks and materials after this time, the result will be a charge to the respective department for the cost of shipping as associated with receiving and returning the item(s) and/or the cost of shipping associated with the receipt of the item(s) plus the cost of all non-returnable item(s).
2. Book Order Reporting
When submitting textbook or material requests using the Cumberland University order form faculty and staff must include the following information:
•the instructor’s name and preferred form of contact including contact information;
•the title, author, International Standard Book Number (ISBN), publisher and edition of text(s);
•the required, recommended, and supplemental status of materials;
•the estimated enrollment in the course;
•the semester of course offering, course number, and course section number.
3. Desk Copy or Instructor Copy Requests
All requests for instructor materials should be sent to the administrative assistant for one’s respective school or requested directly from the publisher/vendor by the instructor. These items are often offered to the instructor at no charge to the university. The university bookstore only purchases course materials and textbooks for student use and purchase. The bookstore will no longer charge out textbooks or other course materials for instructor use within the course unless the item(s) are not offered free of charge by the publisher/vendor.
4. Central Custodian
Cumberland University’s Central Custodian for textbook adoptions is the Bookstore Manager. This individual is available to respond to any and all requests and/or inquiries regarding adoption information or textbook adoptions. Please direct all questions to bookstore@cumberland.edu.
5. Information Availability
At least 45 days prior to the start of each semester Cumberland University will have the following information provided bookstore sales website, bookstore.cumberland.edu, in accordance with the federal government requirements as outlined within the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA).
•the title, author, International Standard Book Number, (ISBN), and edition of texts
•the required, recommended, and supplemental status of materials
•the section number of course
•the new and used retail price of the book
6. Edition Policy
Cumberland University encourages faculty members to use the same edition of a textbook for at least four semesters if possible, thus reducing the cost of textbooks for students. Using a text for multiple semesters allows students in a course one semester to sell back their textbooks for approximately 50% of the initial purchase price and students the next semester the chance to purchase a used textbook for at least a 25% savings. This practice also encourages the purchase of textbooks and materials from the university bookstore, thus ensuring students have the correct materials for each course as directly requested by the instructor.
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Performance Evaluation
Performance Metrics: Compliance with federal mandate
Compliance with standard policy and procedure
Consequences: Loss of privileges
Further training
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Subject Experts
The following may be consulted for additional information.
VP of Academic Affairs
Executive Director of Facilities and Safety
VP of Business and Finance