Course Material Selection and Adoption

1.0 Scope 

This procedure applies to faculty members and employees responsible for selecting and adopting materials for NPC courses. 

2.0 Purpose

To establish parameters for the timely selection and adoption of course materials in compliance with ARS 15-1891. 

3.0 Definitions 

3.1 Course materials - Textbooks and other instructional tools adopted or created for classroom instruction.  

3.2 Book buyer - Any individual or entity engaged in the purchase or sale of course materials, including bookstores. 

3.3 Bundled - Two or more course materials packaged and sold as a single unit. 

3.4 Open Educational Resources (OER) - Teaching, learning, and research materials that are in the public domain or licensed to allow free use, adaptation, and redistribution. 

3.5 Teacher edition - A version of course materials intended exclusively for faculty, often including answers, solutions, or teaching techniques. 

3.6 Publisher - A company or entity that produces course materials. 

3.7 Sample/Exam/Desk copy - Complimentary course materials identical to the student edition, provided at no cost by the publisher. 

3.8 Substantive content - Significant additions or changes in a course material’s content, such as new chapters, themes, or historical periods. 

3.9 Written information - Information provided in print, electronically, or published on a website. 

4.0 Procedure 

To ensure timely acquisition, faculty or employees selecting course materials must provide the following information to the bookstore by deadlines set by the NPC Business Office: 

1. Material/Textbook Name, Author, Publisher 
2. Course Number and Name 
3. ISBN (if applicable) 
4. Edition Number (noting any updates or new editions) 
5. Indication of whether materials are required or optional 
6. Specification if materials must be new or can be used 

The dean reserves the right to review course materials and make alternative suggestions prior to adoption.

4.1 

Faculty are encouraged to adopt OER and other low-cost materials to reduce costs for students, while maintaining academic quality and alignment with course objectives

4.2 

1. Faculty should request sample copies and review the following when selecting course materials: 
2. Available options (bundled or sold separately). 
3. Retail, wholesale, or publicly available pricing, including applicable time periods. 
4. Copyright dates of the current and previous editions. 
5. Summary of substantive content differences between current and prior editions. 
6. Alignment with course topics, outcomes, and cultural and linguistic relevance for NPC students. 

4.3    

Faculty or employees may not accept payments or incentives for selecting specific course materials, except for: 

1. Complimentary review copies, teacher editions, or instructional materials not for resale. 
2. Royalties from materials authored by the faculty member. 
3. Honoraria for development or peer reviews of course materials. 
4. Training on using materials and associated technologies. 

 4.4    

Faculty members are prohibited from re-selling complimentary or review copies of course materials.

4.5    

Faculty members must comply with U.S. Copyright Fair Use guidelines.

4.6   

Faculty members considering OER must adhere to the OER Development Process: 

1. Departmental Collaboration: Discuss OER initiatives with colleagues to ensure alignment with course objectives and student needs. 
2. Proposal Submission: Submit an OER proposal to the OER Subcommittee, detailing the course, materials, benefits, and required adaptations. 
3. Development and Training: Work with the Instructional Designer to ensure accessibility, quality, and alignment with NPC standards. 
4. Review and Approval: Materials undergo peer and subcommittee review, using standardized rubrics for evaluation. 
5. Publication and Retention: Approved OER are stored in an NPC repository and published on collaborative OER repository for institutional retention, openness, and accessibility. 
6. Ongoing Maintenance: OER materials are updated every three years, with compensation provided for updates. 

5.0 Support and Incentives for OER Adoption

5.1 Compensation: Faculty OER developers and peer reviewers are compensated for their contributions. 

5.2 Professional Development: Training is provided on OER adoption, accessibility, and quality standards. 

5.3 Recognition: Participation in OER initiatives is included in evaluations and promotion considerations.