Faculty Guide to Textbook Ordering
“Faculty behavior is the key to actual textbook pricing….” Dr. James V. Koch, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance*
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Place Textbook Orders On Time
The most immediate way that you can reduce the cost of educational materials for your students is by submitting timely textbook orders. On-time submission of textbook orders allows the bookstore to source more used books and save freight costs, which returns more money to your students. In most departments, you will submit your book order to your department secretary, who will collect the information and forward it along to University Bookstore textbook department. Please confirm with your department secretary how best to submit orders for your department. Also consider placing your textbook order online. Last minute textbook orders are costly to your students and to the University. -
Consider Unbundled Course Materials
"Bundles"-- additional materials, such as CD-ROMs, study guides, etc.--can significantly increase the cost for your students. Bundles on the MU campus average $118.00 per course. Bundles with non-required materials force students to purchase new texts at premium prices, even though bundled materials often go unused. Request Pricing Information
You have a right to know suggested retail prices that students will pay, the history of edition revisions, the estimated length of time these products will remain on the market, and the cost of individual items in a bundle. Missouri’s Textbook Transparency Act requires textbook publishers to make the price, any substantial content revision between the last two editions, copyright dates, and the availability of alternative formats for a text, upon request, to faculty members or textbook adopters at public higher education institutions.Consider Using Course Packets
Course packets can mean significant cost savings when only a small percentage of the original text is required, or when small portions of several texts can be combined into one. University Bookstore offers faculty a cost efficient, copyright compliant alternative to supplement traditional textbooks. Contact Mizzou Media by calling 882-8567, emailing mizzoumedia@missouri.edu or visiting the Mizzou Media Web site.Reuse An Old Edition If It Meets Your Teaching Needs
If the new edition contains little or no content change, consider using the older edition. If previous editions are still usable, they can be purchased as used texts, saving your students 25% or more of the new price.Negotiate Better Prices
The University of Missouri purchases $22 million in course materials annually. The bookstore works for you and is ready to help negotiate better prices from publishers on course materials.-
Consider a Rental Program
Ask the bookstore about developing a rental program if you teach a large class every semester and know you will use the same textbook for future courses.
*Dr. Koch serves as an independent source of advice and counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Education on student financial aid policy.
