PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Adopt rules that provide cost savings for course materials.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28B.35.120(12), 28B.10.590.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Law requires rules be adopted to provide maximum cost savings to students for course materials without sacrificing educational content. Rules would require affiliated bookstores to disclose retail costs and new edition information for course materials, and to administer purchasing/bundling and buyback programs in ways that give students the least costly options. The rules would encourage faculty to work with publishers and affiliated bookstores to achieve these same goals.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Linda P. Beckman, Director of Budget and Administration, Student Affairs, Western Washington University, 516 High Street, Mailstop 9001, Bellingham, WA 98225-9001, phone (360) 650-7417, fax (360) 650-6504. Meetings and other exchanges of information: Textbook legislation task force meetings; faculty senate and academic coordinating commission; provost's council; president's council; associated students; bookstore advisory group.
October 2, 2006
Suzanne M. Baker
Rules Coordinator