University Governance

Textbook Task Force Minutes, March 7, 2007

The Textbook Task Force (TTF) met from 8:00 to 9:00 in the Regents Room of Strong Hall. Attending were Heather Howard, Jeannette Johnson, Iris Fischer, Craig Martin, Grant Treaster and co-chairs Hannah Love and Bob Basow.

Review of Final Report
TTF members reviewed a draft of the one-page document, “How KU’s Textbook Task Force Tackled the Problem,” offering suggestions that would facilitate using the document sooner. The subsequent draft is included with these minutes for review. TTF members suggested a series of stories in the University Daily Kansan. After the meeting, Bob alerted UDK advisor Malcolm Gibson, who will ask the Student Senate reporter to contact Hannah and Grant.

Schedule for Implementation
Iris, Craig and Jeannette discussed the major differences in how departments coordinate faculty textbook orders. As a result of TTF’s work, the entire textbook ordering process should now move forward on a more structured basis – preserving the instructor’s freedom to determine the needs of individual sections, but eliminating “stragglers” who delay placing their orders.

Textbook Notification to Faculty
Jeannette suggested that KU Bookstores request her help in using the faculty listserv to notify faculty of the textbook deadlines, in addition to distributing the new “silver flyer” via mail. A final modification of the flyer’s layout is currently underway. This will be sent to KU Legal for approval on Monday, after which the flyer will be distributed, hopefully by Spring Break.

Letters of Appreciation
Bob distributed letters from Senex Chair Rick Hale expressing the appreciation of KU Governance for TTF members work on this important committee.

Meeting with Lorraine Haricombe, Library Dean
Following the TTF meeting, Heather and Bob met with Dean Haricombe to review plans to date. Heather provided an updated estimate of textbook numbers and costs, based on ordering one textbook per 100 students (limit of 5 books total) for each course numbered below the 300-level with a textbook costing $90 or more. Dean Haricombe will discuss with her staff the time and space required to implement Textbook Library. She expressed support for the recommendation and felt comfortable with Student Senate moving ahead to secure funding.

Registrar
After this meeting, Bob received an email from Kim O’Bryon of the Regisrar’s Office reporting that the recommendation to create a clickable link between course section numbers and textbook requirements would be given priority. However, with the backlog of other priorities, the full implementation of this recommendation is probably a “year two” improvement. Bob replied that the fact that “we are working on it” is a positive step forward.

Final Meeting:
This meeting completes the work of the Textbook Task Force. Further business, if needed, can be conducted via email.