Faculty FAQ

• Spring Semester: October 15th
• Summer Sessions: March 15th
• Fall Semester: April 15th

The bookstore asks for textbook requests by the given dates for three reasons. First, the bookstore staff verifies that all information on each request is correct. Any problems or irregularities are discussed with the instructor or department liaison. Second, the bookstore attempts to locate as many used books as possible. Early requests provide the bookstore a better chance in locating used copies from national used book wholesalers. Finally, timely requests can increase the amount paid to students during the end of term buyback period. The buyback value is determined by future demand.

The bookstore recognizes that not all requests can meet the adoption deadlines. New classes, sections, and instructor changes often come after the adoption deadlines. These requests should be made as soon as the information is available.

The recently revised Higher Education Opportunity Act has several provisions that affect college bookstore operations. One of these provisions states that bookstores must provide all textbook information on their website so that students will know the course requirements at the time they register for classes. In order to comply, the WCU Bookstore must gather all course materials information as soon as it is available from instructors.

There is only one rental book per course number and this book may not be a consumable product. All classes under that course number will be issued the same text. Purchase textbooks are adopted by section and may have several texts adopted.

Rental textbooks are only changed upon faculty request. You may check with the Book Rental Department to obtain textbook information.

This information may be obtained from the Department Book List or by contacting book rental.

Rental textbooks may be replaced after two years if the textbook has been used at least twice during that two-year period.

Replaced textbooks may be sold to a used book company if they have value. If the textbook has no value it may be sold to independent book buyers. A replaced textbook that has no value to a used book company may be donated to the department upon request from the instructor.

No. Textbooks can only be replaced by request from a faculty member. This is done on a New Adoption Request Form.

No. Orders are first placed to wholesale book companies. Orders are placed in this manner for budgetary considerations.

No. Only the textbook can be issued from Book Rental. The instructor will be notified if CD's or other materials come with the text. If the instructor would like to have these materials, they will be sent to his/her department. These may be distributed by the instructor(s) or may be put on reserve in the library. These items become the property of the department and should not be returned to the Book Rental at the end of the semester.

Since topics courses are usually only taught one semester, it is not recommended that they be put in Book Rental.

You can fill out a desk copy procurement form. This form should be sent directly to the appropriate publisher.

Faculty loans may be used for the first eight weeks of the semester while you are waiting for your desk copy to arrive. Loans that are not returned at this time will be charged the book rental fee per semester hour for the course. Loaned books not returned by the end of the semester will be charged for the replacement cost of the book (less the already charged rental fee). All charges are made to the department budget code on an interdepartmental invoice.

Graduate students do not pay a rental fee and are not included in the Book Rental Program.

Graduate/Supplemental/Distance Learning textbook request must be submitted each semester. There are no standing orders for PURCHASE textbooks.

Textbook requests can be submitted online here.

• Enter your Banner ID Number and Pin Number then click on Request Access. Contact the IT Services Helpdesk at 7487 for assistance if you are unable to authenticate.
• Your textbook request form now appears. This form allows you to enter five titles per course. You may use the tab key to move between fields. Enter the required information in all fields. Incomplete or inaccurate information will delay the processing of your request. By clicking on SUBMIT the bookstore will receive your request via e-mail and you will be assigned a request number. Please make a note of this number for future reference.
• You can also use the hard copy form here.
• We do not except e-mail or phone textbook requests.

An easy way for students to save 25% on textbooks is to have a plentiful supply of used books available. Receiving textbook requests early allows the Bookstore to offer students used books obtained through our buyback program or through a textbook wholesaler. Late requests often do not allow us to pursue the option of used books.

If a textbook has been requested with a particular ISBN because it offers a "free" web access code or a "free" study aid, we may not be able to buy used copies from either the students or wholesalers. If these optional materials are not necessary for course success, please include that information when ordering the book. Always keep in mind that the bookstore orders ONLY what you have requested. We will not order a less expensive version of the book unless given the permission to do so. Package deals which include "free" study guides often result in no used copies of the book available to be sold in the future and the student being prevented from selling the item back to the bookstore at the end of the semester. Items that require a single user license agreement are often designed to reduce the availability of used stock.

The bookstore bases order quantities on several factors. Students shop at a variety of sources. In addition to WCU Bookstore, some students will purchase their materials from online vendors. Course history, past sales data, and current enrollment figures help the store ensure that sufficient copies are ordered. The Bookstore strives to maintain stock of every text offered on campus. However, if we sell out, we will special order a copy for any student who needs to purchase a book.

Most publishers and distributors require bookstores to pay for course materials within 30 days of receipt. The bookstore remains self-sustaining by being fiscally responsible to the University. Unsold materials need to still be paid for within the time frame allotted, unless they are returned to the respective publisher or distributor. Publisher returns generally begin about one month after the start of classes. The bookstore will retain titles that have been requested for a future semester.

WCU Bookstore is University-owned and totally self-supporting. It receives no tax money or subsidies. Profits are contributed annually to WCU Academic/Athletic Scholarship Funds.

The University policy regarding copyright can be found here.

Jennifer Thomas, Purchase Textbooks & Book Rental, 828-227-3608, [email protected]