University Senate                                                                               

Proposed: May 1, 2009

Adopted: with amendments May 1, 2009

RESOLUTION TO PUBLISH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS,
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION, AND READING LISTS ONLINE
PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH SEMESTER

WHEREAS students need access to information about the content, structure, and required reading of the courses they are considering; and

WHEREAS online retailers sell textbooks, both used and new, for significantly lower prices but have delivery times of several days, or even weeks, which can be an impediment to students who would otherwise save substantial sums by online ordering; and

WHEREAS professors and instructors generally know which texts they will assign; and

WHEREAS providing course information, by posting syllabi and reading lists online, would allow students to make more informed decisions; and

WHEREAS Congress, in the 2008 re-authorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, requires that colleges and universities make information about textbooks and other reading material available to students online;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the schools request that professors post course descriptions and information about textbooks and other required readings in appropriate online sites at least two weeks before classes begin, to the extent possible.

Proponent:

The Student Affairs Caucus

Education Committee