2.11 Textbooks and Course Material
Purpose
Through collaboration with faculty and academic staff, the UNI Bookstore works to ensure all necessary course materials and supplies are ordered and in stock before classes begin. Students depend on the UNI Bookstore as their main source for textbooks, course materials and supplies.
Policy Statement
The UNI Bookstore is the university collection point for course materials adopted for use in classroom instruction. UNI Bookstore is responsible for maintaining textbook compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA). The HEOA requires that to the maximum extent practicable, titles, ISBNs, and retail pricing of faculty-chosen course materials be published for students’ review prior to course registration.
To meet the requirements of HEOA, faculty and academic staff, to the maximum extent practicable, shall supply all information pertaining to textbooks, course materials, course packets and supplies that are required or recommended for student classes to the University of Northern Iowa Bookstore utilizing Follett Discover Adopt by the designated deadlines each semester. This data will be sent from the University of Northern Iowa Bookstore to the UNI Student Information System for inclusion in the Schedule of Classes. See the UNI Office of the Registrar website.
UNI Bookstore is the university entity responsible for negotiating with publishers for all transactions and special arrangements regarding course materials. Contracts with publishing companies and vendors (e.g., digital learning connect, e-books) will be established through Procurement Services to protect student information and the University of Northern Iowa.
Course packet requests that contain copyrighted material must receive copyright reprint permission. UNI Bookstore will facilitate and finance the permission requests with the rights holders prior to making the material available for sale to students. Reproducing, selling, and digitally posting intellectual property without the necessary advance permissions could make faculty and/or the University liable and subject to legal action.
The selection of textbooks and other instructional materials is the responsibility of the faculty member responsible for the course(s) they teach. A faculty member who recommends or requires the purchase of books or materials to be used at the University of Northern Iowa, for which they receive royalties or remuneration, is expected to direct a sum equal to such royalty payments to the University or one of its units. If, however, the faculty member does not participate in the selection process, or the books or materials are required by other faculty members, the normal royalties for such use may accrue to the faculty member/author.
Course material selection should also ensure compliance with policy 2.06 Royalties.
Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Operations, approved September 2024
University Council, approved September 2024
President and Executive Management Team, approved September 2024
[Last reviewed and/or updated 9/2024, 4/2018]