COP 03-0606: Instructional Materials Adoption

Purpose Statement

The adoption of instructional materials shall occur in a manner that will promote quality of education, maintain academic freedom, and further efforts to minimize cost for students while complying with the applicable federal and state statutes and rules.

Guidelines

Faculty are responsible for the selection of textbooks and course materials used in credit courses at the College. Instructional materials are selected, posted, and reported on in accordance with Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes and Rule 6A-14.092, Florida Administrative Code ("FAC"). The following procedures describe the deadlines, posting requirements, and reporting process used to ensure compliance and to support cost-effective access to instructional materials for students.

Procedures

1. Instructional materials are defined as textbooks and course materials used within a course, which may be available in printed or digital format.
2. Faculty are responsible for the selection of textbooks and course materials used in credit courses at the College. The Collective Negotiation Agreement ("CNA") outlines the expectations that faculty will comply with Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes and Rule 6A-14.092, FAC, which addresses textbook affordability.
3. Deadlines for the decision on textbooks and course materials must meet the deadlines as outlined in Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes. The College may identify dates for the decisions on instructional materials that are prior to the deadline provided in Florida Statute 1004.085.
4. Textbook and instructional materials shall be posted prominently in the course registration system and on the College’s website by the deadline as specified in Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes.
5. Each term, the Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) will be provided a report that outlines the following:
   1. The cost of textbooks and instructional materials by course for all general education courses and high enrollment courses offered at the institution.
   2. The percentage of textbooks and instructional materials that remain in use for more than one term.
   3. The number of courses that did not meet the instruction materials adoption deadline.
   4. The number of courses that did not meet the textbook and instructional materials posting deadline.
6. As per Section 1004.085, Florida Statutes, courses that have a wide variance in costs among sections, or that have frequent changes in instructional materials, shall be identified, and a list of such courses sent to the appropriate academic department chair or dean for review.