Memos

From:
Barbara Romzek, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Sent:
Monday, February 15, 2010 8:45 AM
To:
KU Lawrence Faculty; KU Lawrence Unclassified Professional Staff; KU GTAs
Subject:
New Federal law requiring timely textbook information to students

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you of a new law that will make it even more important to submit your textbook lists on time.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act takes effect July 1 and requires the University to inform students at the time of enrollment what textbooks and supplemental materials are required and/or recommended for a course.

While the University and the KU Bookstores have already been providing students with access to online information regarding textbooks and supplemental materials, this law sets out new requirements and timelines for providing this information.

The KU Bookstores, as an affiliate of the university, will be assuming responsibility for providing online textbook pricing information for the university.

But in order for the KU Bookstores to provide this information to students, you must submit text book by the previously announced deadlines: March 15th for summer textbook adoptions and April 15th for fall textbook adoptions.

Your textbook adoptions must be provided to the KU Bookstores, even if you do not intend to order course materials through them, so that the information about required textbooks and supplemental materials will appear in the KU official online schedule as required by this new law.

You will also need to list any additional supplies that you will require the student to purchase for each class including clickers, goggles, lab coats, or supplies and reference packs.

You may find a PDF copy of the textbook adoption form by visiting www.union.ku.edu/adoption-form.pdf. Please submit this form by fax or campus mail, or by e-mailing it to textbook@ku.edu or going online to www.union.ku.edu/adoption

If you are not using such materials for your class, the form must still be submitted, indicating there are no required readings or supplies for the course.

You will receive shortly an e-mail from Estella McCollum with KU Bookstores providing additional information about this process. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call one of the following individuals in the KU Bookstores Textbook Department:

Rachel Barnes, Asst. Textbook Buyer, KU Bookstores - rbarn04@ku.edu – 864-2470
Caitlin Davies, Textbook Buyer, KU Bookstores - cdavies@ku.edu – 864-2477
James Rourke, Textbook Manager, KU Bookstores - jrourke1@ku.edu – 864-2478

I am aware this law may require some faculty members to move up their usual timelines for submitting orders for course readings and supplemental materials. The intent of the legislation is to give students the best information available about comparative pricing. I know we all share the goal of helping students stretch their textbook dollars as far as possible.

Your assistance in meeting this responsibility is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Barbara Romzek
Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs


The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.