W. Va. Code R. § 135-51-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 135-51-6 - Required Provisions

6.1. In adopting the policies required by this rule each governing board shall:

6.1.a. Adopt guidelines for faculty in the selection of textbooks and supplementary course materials that ensure appropriate, high quality course materials are selected but give students timely access to the most affordable materials. Institutions are encouraged to consider:

6.1.a.1. Requiring faculty to consider more than one textbook publisher and compare prices for textbooks and course materials;

6.1.a.2. Requiring that all new textbook selections submitted to the appropriate dean or chair for approval be accompanied by a simple form for the faculty member to state whether or not the written information required from the publisher pursuant to Section 4.1.a. of this rule, if requested, was provided;

6.1.a.3. Discouraging selection of textbooks in which less than 50 percent of the content will be used in the course unless the same textbook will be utilized by the student in other courses;

6.1.a.4. Encouraging selection of textbooks that have low cost alternative editions available;

6.1.a.5. Encouraging selection of textbooks it is believed will not be revised by the publisher in the near future;

6.1.a.6. Utilizing consortiums which make available open source textbooks or course materials to faculty and students free or at low cost;

6.1.a.7. Directing an examination of the feasibility of operating a textbook rental program;

6.1.a.8. Providing that the institution shall conduct training for all faculty, at the time of hire and periodically thereafter, on textbook selection and strategies that guarantee high quality course materials at the most affordable cost;

6.1.a.9. Providing that at least one administrator at the institution shall be designated as a liaison with textbook publishers, to be responsible for dissemination of relevant information to the faculty on textbook strategies and education and training opportunities regarding textbook selection, and to enforce the policies the governing board adopts;

6.1.a.10. Providing that the institution, to the maximum extent practicable, consider placing a copy of required textbooks on reserve in the institutional or departmental library;

6.1.a.11. Addressing the issue of providing financial aid to students prior to the start of classes that will allow them to purchase course materials; and

6.1.a.12. Addressing the institution's commitment to utilizing various 21st Century technology innovations for the provision of textbooks and course materials, such as electronic textbooks, on-line textbooks, print-on-demand services, open source materials, and institution produced textbooks;

6.1.a.13. Periodically updating their rules to address emerging technologies or new strategies which address textbook affordability.

W. Va. Code R. § 135-51-6