RCW 28B.10.590
Course materials—Cost savings—Online course descriptions.
(1) The boards of regents of the state universities, the boards of trustees of the regional universities and The Evergreen State College, and the boards of trustees of each community and technical college district, in collaboration with affiliated bookstores and student and faculty representatives, shall adopt rules requiring that:
(a) Affiliated bookstores:
(i) Provide students the option of purchasing materials that are unbundled when possible, disclose to faculty and staff the costs to students of purchasing materials, and disclose publicly how new editions vary from previous editions;
(ii) Actively promote and publicize book buy-back programs;
(iii) Disclose retail costs for course materials on a per course basis to faculty and staff and make this information publicly available; and
(iv) Disclose information to students on required course materials including but not limited to title, authors, edition, price, and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) at least four weeks before the start of the class for which the materials are required. The chief academic officer may waive the disclosure requirement provided in this subsection (1)(a)(iv), on a case-by-case basis, if students may reasonably expect that nearly all information regarding course materials is available four weeks before the start of the class for which the materials are required. The requirement provided in this subsection (1)(a)(iv) does not apply if the faculty member using the course materials is hired four weeks or less before the start of class; and
(b) Faculty and staff members consider the least costly practices in assigning course materials, such as adopting the least expensive edition available, adopting free, open textbooks when available, and working with college librarians to put together collections of free online web and library resources, when educational content is comparable as determined by the faculty.
(2) The state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall each designate in their online course descriptions used by students for registration purposes whether a course uses open educational resources or low-cost required instructional materials. If a course's required textbooks and course materials are not determined prior to registration due to an unassigned faculty member, the textbooks' and course materials' low-cost or open educational resource designation must be provided as soon as feasible after a faculty member is assigned.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Materials" means any supplies or texts required or recommended by faculty or staff for a given course.
(b) "Bundled" means a group of objects joined together by packaging or required to be purchased as an indivisible unit.
(c) "Low-cost" means the entire course's required instructional materials equal $50 or less in 2021 dollars. The institutions of higher education shall adjust the dollar value of low-cost course materials at least once every five years to reflect the percentage change in the consumer price index over the preceding five years.
[ 2021 c 152 § 1; 2009 c 241 § 1; 2007 c 457 § 1; 2006 c 81 § 2.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2006 c 81: "The legislature finds that:
(1) Often the bundling of texts, workbooks, CD-ROMs, and other course related materials is unnecessary since many students do not use all of the materials included and may realize cost savings if materials are also offered independently one from the other; and
(2) Many faculty and staff select materials uninformed of the retail costs and differences between versions.
It is the intent of the legislature to give students more choices for purchasing educational materials and to encourage faculty and staff to work closely with bookstores and publishers to implement the least costly option without sacrificing educational content and to provide maximum cost savings to students." [ 2006 c 81 § 1.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 28B.10 - Colleges and Universities Generally.
28B.10.017 - "Eligible student" defined.
28B.10.019 - Electronic signatures.
28B.10.020 - Acquisition of property by universities and The Evergreen State College.
28B.10.022 - Authority to enter into financing contracts—Notice.
28B.10.024 - Awards of procurement contracts to veteran-owned businesses.
28B.10.025 - Purchases of works of art—Procedure.
28B.10.0291 - Savings report—2012 c 230.
28B.10.030 - Display of United States flag.
28B.10.031 - Check cashing privileges.
28B.10.033 - Teacher preparation programs.
28B.10.034 - Central Washington University—Student teacher remote supervision.
28B.10.035 - Concurrent enrollment program accreditation.
28B.10.037 - Student expression in school-sponsored media.
28B.10.040 - Higher educational institutions to be nonsectarian.
28B.10.042 - Personal identifiers—Use of social security numbers prohibited.
28B.10.0421 - Personal identifiers—Funding.
28B.10.050 - Entrance requirements exceeding minimum requirements.
28B.10.057 - Academic credit for military training.
28B.10.100 - "Major line" defined.
28B.10.105 - Courses exclusive to the University of Washington.
28B.10.106 - Courses exclusive to Washington State University.
28B.10.115 - Major lines common to University of Washington and Washington State University.
28B.10.118 - Accelerated baccalaureate degree programs—Approval.
28B.10.140 - Teachers' training courses.
28B.10.145 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Professional development.
28B.10.147 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Campus climate assessment.
28B.10.149 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Program for students.
28B.10.151 - Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism—Reports.
28B.10.170 - College and university fees.
28B.10.280 - Student loans—Federal student aid programs.
28B.10.281 - Student loans—Certain activities may make student ineligible for aid.
28B.10.284 - Uniform minor student capacity to borrow act.
28B.10.287 - Postsecondary institution financial aid disbursement by third party.
28B.10.293 - Collection of debts—Conditions and limitations on institutions of higher education.
28B.10.294 - Collection of debts—Report.
28B.10.295 - Educational materials on abuses of, and illnesses consequent from, alcohol.
28B.10.335 - Validation of prior bond issues.
28B.10.354 - High-performance public buildings requirements.
28B.10.400 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Authorized.
28B.10.405 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Contributions by faculty and employees.
28B.10.409 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Membership while serving as state legislator.
28B.10.410 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Limitation on institution's contribution.
28B.10.425 - Additional pension for certain retired university faculty members or employees.
28B.10.430 - Annuities and retirement income plans—Minimum monthly benefit—Computation.
28B.10.480 - Tax deferred annuities for employees.
28B.10.500 - Removal of regents or trustees from universities and The Evergreen State College.
28B.10.510 - Attorney general as advisor.
28B.10.520 - Regents and trustees—Oaths.
28B.10.525 - Regents and trustees—Travel expenses.
28B.10.528 - Delegation of powers and duties by governing boards.
28B.10.550 - Police forces for universities and The Evergreen State College—Authorized.
28B.10.555 - Police forces for universities and The Evergreen State College—Powers.
28B.10.572 - Certain unlawful acts—Disciplinary authority exception.
28B.10.580 - Term papers, theses, dissertations, sale of prohibited—Legislative findings—Purpose.
28B.10.582 - Term papers, theses, dissertations, sale of prohibited—Definitions.
28B.10.590 - Course materials—Cost savings—Online course descriptions.
28B.10.592 - College textbook information—Publishers' duties.
28B.10.618 - Credit card marketing policies.
28B.10.631 - Bridge-funding programs—Establishment and administration.
28B.10.665 - Liability insurance for officers and employees authorized.
28B.10.679 - Washington mathematics placement test.
28B.10.680 - Precollege coursework—Findings—Intent.
28B.10.685 - Precollege coursework—Enrollment information—Report.
28B.10.690 - Graduation rate improvement—Findings.
28B.10.691 - Graduation rate improvement—Strategic plans—Adoption of strategies.
28B.10.693 - Graduation rate improvement—Student progression understandings.
28B.10.695 - Timely completion of degree and certificate programs—Adoption of policies.
28B.10.698 - Schools of medicine—Health equity curriculum.
28B.10.699 - Schools of medicine—Underrepresented students—Report.
28B.10.700 - Physical education in curriculum.
28B.10.703 - Programs for intercollegiate athletic competition—Authorized.
28B.10.708 - Graduation ceremonies—Tribal regalia.
28B.10.710 - Washington state or Pacific Northwest history in curriculum.
28B.10.730 - AIDS information—Four-year institutions.
28B.10.735 - Suicide prevention—Identification cards.
28B.10.776 - Budget calculation—Enrollment levels—Participation rate.
28B.10.778 - Budget calculation—New enrollments—Funding level—Inflation factor.
28B.10.780 - Budget calculation—Funding level.
28B.10.782 - Budget calculation—Increased enrollment target level—Availability of information.
28B.10.786 - Budget calculation—Student financial aid programs.
28B.10.825 - Institutional student loan fund for needy students.
28B.10.840 - Definitions for purposes of RCW 28B.10.840 through 28B.10.844.
28B.10.846 - Report of child abuse or neglect—Reporting responsibilities.
28B.10.878 - G. Robert Ross distinguished faculty award.
28B.10.890 - Collegiate license plate fund—Scholarships.
28B.10.900 - "Hazing" defined.
28B.10.901 - Hazing prohibited—Penalty.
28B.10.904 - Hazing—Code of conduct—Educational program.
28B.10.905 - Hazing—Prevention committee.
28B.10.906 - Hazing—Report of violations.
28B.10.907 - Hazing—Prevention education—Incident reporting.
28B.10.908 - Hazing—Social fraternity and sorority organizations.
28B.10.910 - Students with disabilities—Core services.
28B.10.912 - Students with disabilities—Core services described—Notice of nondiscrimination.
28B.10.914 - Students with disabilities—Accommodation.
28B.10.916 - Supplemental instructional materials for students with print access disability.
28B.10.918 - Disability history month—Activities.
28B.10.926 - Transfer of ownership of institution-owned vessel—Further requirements.
28B.10.930 - Comprehensive cancer care collaborative arrangements—Nonstate entity.
28B.10.980 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.