Fall 2021; Resolution Number: 17.01
Whereas, Faculty have both the academic freedom to select the course materials they deem most appropriate (Resolution 19.01 F04) and the responsibility to consider the cost burden as they do so (Title 5, § 59404);
Whereas, Provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act require each institution of higher education receiving federal financial assistance to “disclose, on the institution’s Internet course schedule and in a manner of the institution’s choosing, the International Standard Book Number and retail price information of required and recommended college textbooks and supplemental materials for each course listed in the institution’s course schedule used for preregistration and registration purposes”;
Whereas, California Education Code §66406.9 requires the California Community Colleges to “clearly highlight, by means that may include a symbol or logo in a conspicuous place on the online campus course schedule, the courses that exclusively use digital course materials that are free of charge to students and may have a low-cost option for print versions”; and
Whereas, Students who register for a course and act on the available course information, purchasing a nonreturnable text or choosing a section that is identified as no-cost or low-cost, should not be negatively impacted in the event that the instructor of record changes;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California for Community Colleges provide guidance to local academic senates in developing policies that both protect students and uphold academic freedom in cases where changes to faculty class assignments result in changes in required course resources by Fall of 2022; and
Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges encourage local academic senates to adopt policies that both protect students and uphold academic freedom in cases where changes to faculty class assignments result in changes in required course resources.