South Dakota State University
Policy and Procedures on Textbook Affordability and Selection
July 2011
I. Policy: The use of textbooks and other educational materials supports student learning by
providing additional resources. Textbooks and other educational materials are selected by
faculty and made available to students in a timely and affordable manner.
II. Procedures*:
a. Via email, the SDSU Bookstore provides the designated departmental representative
(i.e., department secretary, department head) with information of selected course
materials including the ISBN, author, title, publisher, and retail price from the prior
spring, summer or fall term. The department representative then sends the
information and request for course materials for the upcoming term to the faculty.
This information is sent in early October for the spring term and mid-February to early
March for the summer and fall terms.
b. All textbooks and other course materials are ordered online via the SDSU bookstore.
c. For distance courses, the instructor and the instructor’s home institution are
responsible for submitting requests for course materials and making sure the
materials are available.
d. When selecting course materials, faculty members must consider educational content
and cost. Consider alternative options if available and comparable.
e. If requiring supplemental materials, make sure a significant portion of all required
materials (textbook, lab manuals, and other supplemental materials) are used. If
bundled materials are sold with the text, make sure all parts are used. If all pieces are
not used, work with the bookstore to order only what is needed.
f. Get textbook orders in on time (October 20 for spring term; March 20 for summer and
March 25 for fall term). When orders are submitted on time, the bookstore has the
needed information for the buyback time period. Also, receiving orders on time
ensures SDSU is in compliance with the federal regulation (Higher Education
Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-115, August 14, 2008) Section 133 (e) on access to
textbook and other course material information. Information on textbooks for the
following semester will be made available on the SDSU Bookstore website no later
than 30 days prior to first day of classes of the next semester.
g. The use of textbooks for multiple, rather than single semesters is HIGHLY encouraged
to control costs.
h. The use of the same textbook in all sections of a course is expected. The Department
Head will monitor the use of common textbooks for all sections of general education
courses in an effort to control costs.
i. Order new editions of textbooks only when prior editions are not of comparable
educational content or are no longer available.
j. The use of electronic versions of textbooks and other online resources is encouraged
when appropriate.
III. Additional Information:
a. Use of faculty –authored course materials/textbooks: Per the South Dakota
Constitution, article VIII, faculty are prohibited from receiving any revenue from
materials that they require students (or the institution) to purchase. Thus, any
faculty member who elects to assign a self-authored piece that will result in
revenue payable to the faculty member must first make arrangements to assign
all revenues to the SDSU Foundation or another charitable entity.
b. Customization of textbooks: Customization of textbooks limits student choice
of where to purchase and drives up student cost. Consider carefully whether or
not customization (i.e., adding an SDSU specific cover; adding the syllabus to
the front of the text) is of educational value in making this decision. For more
information about the potential financial impact of customization contact the
SDSU Bookstore (688-4163).
* These procedures are in compliance with the laws of the State of South Dakota. Guidelines also meet requirements set forth in Public Law
110-115-August 14, 2008 (Higher Education Opportunity Act).