Textbook Provisions (Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008)
About the HEOA
The Higher Education Opportunities Act (HEOA) of 2008 outlines several provisions for publishers and higher education institutions related to textbooks and other course materials. According to the law, the language addressing textbooks is meant to “ensure that students have access to affordable course materials by decreasing costs to students and enhancing transparency and disclosure with respect to the selection, purchase, sale, and use of course materials (Sec. 133 a.)”
About the Textbook Section
Information about textbooks is included in Section 133 of the HEOA. The following portions of the Section are relevant to faculty:
COURSE SCHEDULES. - To the maximum extent practicable, each institution of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance shall -
academic period; and
CMU's Responsibility & Institutional Requirements
Carnegie Mellon must disclose all required and recommended textbooks and supplemental materials for each course.
To facilitate this process, faculty and/or department coordinators should submit textbook information to books@andrew.cmu.edu by the following dates each semester:
- Fall Semester: End of March (preceding the fall semester)
- Spring Semester: End of October (preceding the spring semester)
- Summer Session: End of February (preceding the summer session)
The Carnegie Mellon University bookstore will research and publish the textbook ISBN and pricing information as required by the HEOA.
Note: For courses where no current faculty member is listed or the disclosure of the required information is not practicable for a college textbook or supplemental material, the faculty or department should notify the CMU bookstore so that "TBA" can be indicated as required by HEOA.
Once textbook information is submitted, the CMU bookstore will be able to provide students with various purchase and rental options to meet their individual needs and with the information necessary to explore other purchasing options.