Textbook policies encourage e-books

Students frustrated by $150 textbooks, some of which are never cracked open, may get some relief next semester as the university moves to comply with a new state law requiring faculty to consider the financial burden textbooks can place on students.

But some faculty members are skeptical of the new policy, which sets mandatory "best practices" for them to consider when assigning textbooks. The policy requires faculty to consider using e-books "wherever feasible or prudent," avoid bundled textbooks whenever possible and rethink assigning new editions. Professors fear the guidelines will hasten an inappropriate shift from dead-tree textbooks to online e-books and will negatively impact academic freedom.

Bill Stuart, the chairman of the Council of University System Faculty, said the focus on online textbooks in the best practices policy may have "unintended consequences." The licenses on many online textbooks expire after a short time, he said, making it impossible for the student to keep the book for reference.

"I don't think the e-book thing is a panacea by any means," Stuart said. "I just want to make sure we don't sow the seeds of some counterproductive policy."

But some university and university system officials are welcoming the digital transition.

"Maybe the traditional textbook in 10 years will be a thing of the past, and students will be walking around with Kindle-type devices," said David Nevins, a member of the system's Board of Regents, a body that sets policy for 13 of the state's public institutions.

"Technology over the years as it changes will certainly ultimately lead us in even new directions relative to textbooks."

The best practices guide also requires faculty to choose textbooks appropriate to the course and to submit textbook information to the university by Dec. 1 for next semester to be posted online. The university had already been asking professors to take both of these steps.

When the textbook law was passed by the General Assembly last spring, some professors expressed concern over its impact on their academic freedom. But Jim Osteen, an assistant vice president for student affairs who oversees the University Book Center, said professors shouldn't be concerned.

"The selection of textbooks should be driven by what's appropriate for the course," said Osteen. "The law just requires that you consider the financial burden on students. The intent of the law is not to impact academic freedom."

The shift to extremely expensive textbooks is a recent one, Stuart said, which is why the law was passed. Publishers make lots of money by using high-quality paper, pictures and bundled items, which are often unnecessary, he added.

However, Osteen said, "compared to the past few years, the faculty are much more aware now of the financial impact on students."

cwells at umdbk dot com