Textbooks and Course Materials

Revision Date: 7/7/2009
Responsible Office: Bookstore/Vice President for Academic Affairs
Reference: University of Louisiana System Policy

First revised 2/2002 in compliance with University of Louisiana System adopted policy.

All adoptions, changes and modifications to selected coursework materials (textbooks, prepared packets, and software) to be purchased by students will be identified on the Coursework Materials Adoption Reporting Form (hereinafter referred to as the Adoption Form) and submitted to the Louisiana Tech Bookstore Textbook Inventory Manager in accordance with the timeline referenced below. The Adoption Form is to be completed with special attention to accuracy of title, author, ISBN#, edition, indication of whether a previous edition is acceptable, estimate of number needed, and the maximum enrollment. A textbook or material is considered required unless identified on the Adoption Form as OPTIONAL. Required textbooks for multi-section courses will be the same for all sections, except that departments may substitute alternative textbooks in chosen sections to keep up with the evolving pedagogy in their fields. Selection will be a departmental decision based on appropriate faculty review and recommendations with final approval by the unit head.

The Louisiana Tech Bookstore Textbook Inventory Manager has been designated by the University to make all information concerning textbook and coursework material adoptions available on the Adoption Form to all vendors, both on and off campus, upon request and to respond to all vendor requests and inquiries concerning adoptions.

Textbooks and coursework materials authored by Louisiana Tech faculty may be adopted provided the selection is approved by the college dean. Customized textbooks must be reviewed and approved by the college dean with consideration of the no-buy back value of the text. In a case where a dean is the author, approval must be obtained from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Adoption Timelines:

Each department will prepare and submit Adoption Forms for Summer, Winter and Spring quarters through the college dean to the Bookstore Textbook Inventory Manager by the Monday following the first day of classes of the preceding quarter (approximately 10 weeks before the beginning of the adoption quarter). Adoption Forms for the Fall Quarter, however, will be submitted the first Monday in April. The established dates will appear in the official academic calendar. The calendar is available on the Tech website (www.latech.edu).

Textbooks for courses taught every quarter are adopted for two years or eight quarters. If a department has plans to change a continuously used textbook for the upcoming academic year, that information should be conveyed to the Bookstore Textbook Inventory Manager in advance of the established deadlines. Such advance information will be provided to all vendors who have requested information on adoptions.

Changes and Modifications:

Any request for a change or modification to materials previously submitted on a quarter’s Adoption Form must be presented in hard copy through the college dean to the Bookstore Textbook Inventory Manager. If approved, copies of any changes or modifications will be provided by the Textbook Inventory Manager to all vendors who have requested information on adoptions.

Buy Back

All textbooks in satisfactory condition and continued in use by the University will be bought back by the Bookstore when presented by the owner with his/her I.D. during the last week of a quarter. The buy back does not include novels, study guides, customized texts, and texts adopted as optional.

Complimentary Textbooks/Materials

It has long been a tradition in higher education for faculty to receive books from publishers for review for possible adoption. It is considered a violation of the Code of Governmental Ethics for faculty members to “sell” complimentary copies of books given to them because of their position. Please note that it is a violation of University policy for a faculty member to require students to purchase class materials (other than selected text) so that the instructor receives a free copy.