Handbook of Operating Procedures 2-9990

Selection, Use, Notification, and Sale of Instructional Materials



Effective June 29, 2021
Executive Sponsor: Executive Vice President and Provost
Policy Owner: Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

 

  1. Policy Statement

The University of Texas at Austin (University) is governed by The University of Texas System (UT System) Board of Regents’ Rule 31004 and Texas Education Code, Section 51.542 with respect to the selection, use, notification, and sale of Instructional Materials.
 

  1. Reason for Policy

To establish guidelines regarding the selection, use, notification, and sale of Instructional Materials that comply with Board of Regents’ Rule 31004 and Section 51.542 of the Texas Education Code.
 

  1. Scope & Audience

This policy applies to faculty, departments, colleges, and schools responsible for the selection of Instructional Materials prescribed for student use.
 

  1. Definitions (specific to this policy)

Instructional Materials:
Any textbook, workbook, digital resource, open educational resource, and/or other learning-related material adopted for use by faculty in classroom instruction.
 

  1. Website (for policy)

https://secure4.compliancebridge.com/utexas/public/getdoc.php?file=2-9990
 

  1. Contacts

CONTACT

DETAILS

WEB
Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
Phone: (512)471-4363
Website: http://www.utexas.edu/provost
 
  1. Responsibilities & Procedures
  1. Selection and Use of Instructional Materials
Guidelines for the selection and use of Instructional Materials are governed by UT System Board of Regents’ Rule 31004. Individual instructors, colleges, schools, and units (CSUs) should have discretion in the choice of Instructional Materials prescribed for student use. However, frequent changes should be discouraged. Thus, if it is necessary to make changes within the first year of adoption, faculty should consult with CSU leadership setting forth the reasons.

Approval by the dean and subsequently the Executive Vice President and Provost (or designee) is necessary before faculty-authored Instructional Materials may be prescribed for student use. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is responsible for developing procedures for the approval of faculty-authored Instructional Materials. Forms to request approval from the Executive Vice President and Provost may be found here: https://provost.utexas.edu/finance-reporting-compliance/authorization-to-use-textbooks-written-by-a-member-of-the-faculty-at-ut-austin/. Authorization is effective only to the end of the fiscal year for which approval is given.
  1. Notification of Instructional Materials
Section 51.542 of the Texas Education Code requires that the University establish a deadline by which faculty members must submit required and recommended Instructional Materials for each course. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost is responsible for communicating these deadlines to faculty members and for developing procedures for the submission of Instructional Materials. These deadlines and procedures may be found here: https://provost.utexas.edu/policies-and-compliance/hb33-sb810.
  1. Sale of Instructional Materials

CSUs may not produce for purposes of sale, nor engage in the sale of, any Instructional Materials to students. When a CSU deems it necessary to require students to purchase materials that are not commercially available, the CSU should make arrangements for production and sale through the University Co-Operative Society (the Co-op) and/or other local outlets. CSUs that believe engaging in the limited sale of Instructional Materials to students supports the University’s academic mission should contact the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
 

  1. Forms & Tools

None
 

  1. Frequently Asked Questions

None
 

  1. Related Information

Board of Regents’ Rule 31004 – Rights and Responsibilities of Faculty Members
 Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost – Authorization to Use Instructional Materials Written by a Member of the Faculty at UT Austin
 Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost – Textbook Affordability & Open Educational Resources
 Texas Education Code, 51.542 – Dissemination of Course Schedule and List of Required and Recommended Textbooks
 

  1. History

Origination date: June 29, 2021
          Next scheduled review: June 2025