Textbook Adoptions & Affordability

Everything Faculty Needs to Know About Course Materials

Students depend on Weber State University and the Wildcat Store as their main source for course materials, supplies, and information about their classes. By working closely with faculty and designated department coordinators, the Wildcat Store strives to ensure all necessary course materials and supplies are ordered and in-stock before classes begin.

Textbook Affordability Initiatives 

The Wildcat Store is committed to finding the most affordable course materials by offering an array of options, including a price comparison tool for students, textbook rentals, digital, loose-leaf books, and a large supply of used textbooks. Our affordability initiatives include:

PRICE COMPARISON: We believe in making our course materials pricing as competitive and transparent as possible. We provide students a price comparison tool built into their book list which allows them to compare prices with other major retailers. Students can also see all of their purchasing and rental options for each material.

USED TEXTBOOKS: A popular way for students to save money on course materials is to purchase used textbooks. Our used books sell for at least 25% less than the price of new books.

DAY ONE ACCESS (Inclusive Access): Day One Access is a collaborative program for digital content adoption. It provides students digital access through Canvas on the first day of class to their e-Book and adaptive learning content. The savings can be upwards of 60% off the price of a new print textbook.

DIGITAL BOOKS & ADAPTIVE LEARNING ACCESS CODES & OER: As digital content becomes more widely adopted at Weber State University and a more popular choice among our students, the Wildcat Store is prepared to assist faculty and students with a variety of digital options. From e-Books to adaptive learning content,we have it covered. Plus, digital options can cost up to 50% less than new print textbooks. We can help you provide OER content through our website to your students.

TEXTBOOK RENTAL: Whenever possible, we offer new and used books to be rented rather than purchased. Students typically can save up to 40% or more off the new book price by renting.

SALES TAX EXEMPT, PAYMENT PLANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS: Everyone saves 7.1% everyday with no sales tax for all course materials, supplies and technology required by professors. The Wildcat Store offers a payment plan for students to help with the cost of course materials.

FAQ

• What is the course material adoption deadline?

  The annual deadlines are March 1 (summer and fall), and Oct. 1 (spring). Reminders will be sent out each semester from the Wildcat Store through the Verba course material adoption system. Please note the Wildcat Store accepts adoptions for physical books beyond the deadlines to support your teaching needs.

• What is HEOA?

  The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) is federal legislation requiring titles, ISBN numbers and retail pricing of all required and recommended course materials be published for students’ review prior to course registration. To comply with this requirement, the Office of the Registrar, Information Technology and the Wildcat Store have developed systems to provide this information to students via the eWeber portal.

• How do I submit my adoption?

  Faculty or textbook coordinators need to submit the course material requirements and recommendations via the eWeber portal app under “Faculty Textbook Adoption” by the adoption deadline. Please include any courses in which there will be no textbook requirements as well. This adoption tool provides valuable information to faculty to help in making the best decisions for their students.

• How are course materials defined?

  Course materials are defined as textbooks/books, manuals, access codes, e-Books, course packets, and supplies (design, lab, art, medical, scrubs, technology, etc.). And, anything else that is required for your students to obtain for class.

• Where do I submit a custom created course pack?

  Send the print-ready (formatted and with copyright clearance when necessary) to textbooks@weber.edu for production. Course packs will be available for students to purchase in store and online with all other course materials.

• What if I am unable to meet the deadlines?

  We recognize that there are a few situations where it may not be possible to have course materials information available by these dates: the instructor has not yet been assigned for a course, the course and/or textbook is new and still under development. The Wildcat Store will continue to update the system with new information for courses after the initial deadline to provide students with the most accurate and up-todate information as possible.

• How do I handle non-traditional or negotiated course material adoptions?

  For special course materials, arrangements or negotiations with publishers, please contact the Wildcat Store to facilitate these transactions. Contracts with publishing companies and vendors (i.e., adaptive learning content, eBooks) must be established through the Purchasing Department to protect student information and WSU. Selling or facilitating course material transactions in the classroom or direct through a third party provider is not allowed.

• How do students obtain course materials at Weber State?

  Students are provided a personalized book list with a built-in in price comparison tool in the eWeber portal app. It is critical that faculty submit adoptions for course materials to the Wildcat Store in order to populate the student book list. Students with scholarships, financial aid, sponsorships and university payment plans will need to have their course materials available at the Wildcat Store to purchase. In addition, all course material purchases at the Wildcat Store are tax exempt.

Contact Us

We encourage faculty to continue to adopt quality course materials to support the curriculum while keeping the costs, affordability and accessibility options in mind as well. Wildcat Store staff is on hand to assist with your adoption and research of available options.

• 801-626-8579
• Faculty Course Material Questions: textbookordering@weber.edu
• General Course Material Questions: textbooks@weber.edu